Healthy environments for healthy aging

Healthy aging begins in the womb and continues until elder years. Homes, workplaces, schools, and communities that are healthy for young people are also healthy environments for elders. They provide access to nature and exercise, nutritious foods, clean air and water, accessible and safe built environments, and positive social interactions. The EPA has developed a program entitled “Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging” and each year issues awards for excellence in sustainable planning and age-friendly design. The principal goal of the Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Award program is to raise awareness across the nation about healthy synergies that can be achieved by communities combining Smart Growth and Active Aging concepts. This session will review the multiple factors that together create healthy communities for healthy aging, and how we can begin to institute these measures in our own communities.