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Health May 2014

Aid for Age

Healthy Aging Requires Safe Walking Policies

By Tait Trussell

    To address this public health concern, community leaders in Hendersonville, N.C., as an example, implemented a program called “Walk-Wise, Drive-Smart.” The goal: to make neighborhoods in Hendersonville and surrounding areas more pedestrian friendly.

    The rapidly increasing number of older Americans has far-reaching implications for our health system and will place unprecedented demands on providing health care and aging-related services, including such relatively simple policies as providing safe places for seniors to walk – as described in one community.

    Public health efforts to promote health and independence are critical in helping older adults stay well. Research has shown that poor health does not have to be inevitable. Older adults who practice healthy behaviors, take advantage of clinical preventive services, and engage with family and friends are more likely to remain healthy, live independently, and have fewer health-related costs, as has been frequently described.

    Keeping older adults healthy means preventing chronic diseases and reducing related complications. About 80% of seniors have one chronic condition, and 50% have at least two. Infectious diseases (such as influenza) and injuries also take a disproportionate toll on older people. Efforts to identify strategies to prevent or reduce the risk of disease and injury and to apply effective interventions need to be pursued.

    Only about 25 percent of folks 50 to 64 are up-to-date on recommended immunizations and cancer screenings. Another key public health goal is to assess apparent cognitive impairment. None of these is done regularly.

    Causes of death among seniors in America is topped by heart disease, followed by cancer, stroke, respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, flu and pneumonia and unintentional injury.

    Since 2001, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has supported the Healthy Aging Research Network, a combination of prevention research centers at universities across the country to identify interventions that promote healthy aging and translate research into community-based programs.

    CDC also provides three online, interactive data tools presenting information for aging service professionals, researchers, journalists, and the public (http://www.cdc.gov/aging). These tools are based on publications on various health issues among seniors.

    Among areas important for seniors is pedestrian safety. Aging brings such problems as arthritis, poor vision, awkward balance, as we all know. One in three people over age 65 falls each year. “Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for this age group,” says the CDC.

    All residents should be able to walk safely in their neighborhoods. Being able to walk promotes physical and mental well being, as well as connection with their communities.

    To address this public health concern, community leaders in Hendersonville, N.C., as an example, implemented a program called “Walk-Wise, Drive-Smart.” The goal: to make neighborhoods in Hendersonville and surrounding areas more pedestrian friendly. Hendersonville was an ideal town for this program because more than 30 percent of its residents were 65 or older.

    Walk-Wise is partly funded by CDC’s Healthy Aging Program and is part of a network of prevention research centers working with community partners across the country. The Hendersonville project is supported by the business community. The Walk Wise plan officials assessed walking conditions in 10 Hendersonville neighborhoods.

    The resulting data pointed to a need to change the driving habits of residents and provide walking programs for seniors with different levels of fitness, and to improve sidewalks, crosswalks and traffic signals.

    City officials focused on the safety and “walkability” of certain walking routes and designated them as “senior friendly.” The Walk Wise program demonstrated the power of city officials and informed citizens and other local organizations to make policy and environmental changes to aid older adults to work together.

    The program can serve as a model for other small and mid-sized communities throughout the nation. More information is available online at http://www.walk-wise.org.

     

    Tait Trussell is an old guy and fourth-generation professional journalist who writes extensively about aging issues among a myriad of diverse topics.

    Meet Tait