68: Older Adults and Healthy Aging

Public Health Review

Older-adult health has been increasingly on the radar of public health agencies over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, it prompted new or enhanced partnerships with their sibling agencies. As the population of older adults continues to grow, it is crucial for public health agencies to join partners in the aging network to create systems that support healthy aging.

In this podcast episode, Jewel Mullen (alumni-CT) offers perspectives on the value of cultivating partnerships between state public health agencies and state units on aging. In addition, Elizabeth Head (Deputy Director, Injury Prevention Section, Georgia Department of Public Health) and Aline Stone (Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Coordinator, Division of Aging Services, Georgia Department of Human Services) describe their collaboration to improve the health of older adults in Georgia. They share their experience participating in a pilot project with ASTHO and Trust for America’s Health to cross reference their state health improvement and aging plans.

Guests

• Jewel Mullen, Former Public Health Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Health
• Elizabeth Head, Deputy Director, Injury Prevention Section, Georgia Department of Public Health
• Aline Stone, Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Coordinator, Division of Aging Services, Georgia Department of Human Services

Resources

• Age-Friendly Public Health Systems - Trust for America’s Health (afphs.org)
• Healthy Aging and Brain Health | ASTHO
• ASTHO Learning: Integrating Healthy Aging into Public Health
• ASTHO Learning: Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Module