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.