Dissemination of the CDC-HAN Environmental and Policy Change to Support Healthy Aging Initiative: Outcomes and Lessons Learned

The purpose of this action-oriented dissemination initiative was to engage and support multi-sector professionals in planning and implementing environmental and policy change to improve the health and well-being of older adults. This project addressed AHRQ's programmatic interests in health promotion and disease prevention; evidence-based practice and its implementation into care settings; and addressing disparities in health outcomes. We produced an online conference series comprised of four modules for healthy aging: 1) Overview of Environmental and Policy Change; 2) Optimal Living Environments; 3) Integrated Approaches to Mobility; and 4) Emerging Environmental Issues. Each module included an interactive online webinar, on-demand presentation, action brief, and facilitated technical support activities. The series brought together researchers, decision-makers and practitioners to advance the implementation of strategies proven to have a positive effect on health outcomes. Marketing potentially reached 100,000 people. We had 4,123 visits to the conference website by 1,206 participants. The series was rated �excellent� to �very good� by 71% of participants. Participants reported: taking steps to accomplish goals (55%) and seeing results from those steps (35%); being able to envision change; and feeling policy issues were demystified. Components of this initiative continue to be available to public health and aging professionals.