Advancing Environmental and Policy Change for Healthy Aging

The new n4A report, The Maturing of America, indicates that "many U.S. communities have been unable to make significant progress in preparing to meet the needs of the country's rapidly aging population... advancements are no where near the level of progress that has to be made to ensure that communities are livable for people of all ages". This session directly addresses this challenge, drawing upon lessons learned and recommendations from a CDC-Healthy Aging Research Network action-oriented environmental and policy change initiative, and outlining goals for public health leadership in this area. The session will include priorities for action and essential methods, such as the necessity for cross-sector learning and collaboration; coalition and capacity building; and engagement of older adults and people with disabilities in planning and evaluative processes. Participants will be provided with access to practical strategies, resources and tools to help ensure comprehensive planning and implementation that is consistent with broad public health goals, but also specifically responsive to an aging population that is diverse in ethnicity, resources, health and functional status. Also discussed will be the potential for peer support and guidance to foster environmental and policy systems change through strategies such as online communities and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Materials shared will be useful to participants as they create environmental and policy change in their own spheres of influence.