Council on Aging helps EPA launch initiative to recognize community planning with older adults in mind

(Washington, D.C., September 26, 2006)--The International Council on Active Aging, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and partner organizations across the country, is helping to develop a national pilot program to recognize communities that factor into community planning, environmental considerations and the need for older adults to be physically active as they age.

Entitled, "Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging," the goal of the program is to raise awareness in communities across the country about the importance of what EPA terms Smart Growth and its partner organizations identify as Active Aging for older adults.

The program will recognize community planning and development that improves quality of life for older adults in U.S. counties, cities and towns, including Native American communities. The Smart Growth component addresses such factorsas density, design, walkability, housing and transportation in community design.

Active Aging programs call attention to the need for seniors to regularlyparticipate in a variety of structured and unstructured physical activities.

Communities can promote active aging by implementing a diverse selection of accessible physical activity programs, and by helping to make self-directed physical activity opportunities for those 60+ more accessible.

While details of the recognition program still are being developed, it is expected that communities and tribes participating in the program will be presented with documentation recognizing their efforts. The Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging website will post descriptions of each community's achievements in this area. In addition, participating communities will be eligible to participate in a virtual learning network that will provide a forum for sharing lessons learned.

Program sponsors anticipate a major event each year to honor those communities achieving the highest levels of Smart Growth/Active Aging development. 

The EPA's Aging Initiative will spearhead this multi-agency effort, which was developed in partnership with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Council on Aging's Center for Healthy Aging, and the National Blueprint Office.

Additionally, the Robert Johnson Foundation, through its Active for Lifeprogram, will support a Healthy Communities for Active Aging Learning Network for participating communities and Native American tribes.