Building capacity for environmental policy change to support healthy aging

Given the demographic imperative of a rapidly aging society, the need to design and implement effective environmental policy around healthy and vital aging is urgent. To accomplish this will require building capacity of various stakeholders and policy communities to work towards policy change. This presentation will draw upon the work of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Healthy Aging Research Network (HAN), a consortium of eight university-based member centers and their community partners and affiliates. The HAN conducted a series of three national symposia, one each on physical activity and depression and in September 2009, environmental and policy change. Attendees represented a great array of disciplines and service sectors, and included practitioners, researchers, leaders from all levels of government, policymakers and older adult advocates. The paper will share data regarding technical assistance needs of participants and report on the HAN's work to provide training, resources and support in the area of healthy aging policy. Examples will be shared including toolkits, best practices, case studies and directions for constructive involvement and collaboration with other stakeholders. The need for guidelines for working with decision-makers at various levels of government and for relevant data, for example, economic and health impact assessment, to convince leaders of the merits of specific approaches will be discussed. The key challenges pertinent to environmental change will also be addressed.