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Healthy Aging

There are few things most of value more than our health.

To help maximize the health of Arkansans, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and the Division of Aging and Adults Services (DAAS) in the Arkansas Department of Human Services have joined forces to address the public health needs of the state's aging population and formed the Arkansas Healthy Aging Coalition. The Coalition's goal is to promote health and prevent disease among Arkansans age 50 and over. Interested stakeholders, including local public health units, Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers, medical centers, universities, retirement centers, AARP, and numerous non-profit organizations from around the state have been invited to participate; and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

The Coalition's initial kick-off meeting was held in October 2002 in the Little Rock AARP offices with approximately 80 persons present in a crowd with standing room only. The initial focus will be on increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, and decreasing exposure to tobacco products.

One of the first outcomes of the Coalition is coming May 20th. You are invited to attend. The Hernando DeSoto Exploration Day, a free informatio-packed day devoted to healthy aging will take place in Little Rock. This exciting event is open to anyone age 50+. If you have been thinking about taking steps for better health and don't quite know what to do or how to get motivated, this event was made for you.

If you are among the 70% of adult smokers who want to quit but haven't been able to, come to this event. A special program on smoking cessation could change your life.

For more information on this event, including a registration form, click HERE.

The second outcome of the Coalition is the new Hernando DeSoto Society: Exploring Healthier Lifestyles. Hernando DeSoto was a 16th century Spanish explorer who traveled extensively through Arkansas. You are invited to explore better health by joining the Society. Membership in the society is free. To become a member one must sign the following pledge: “I pledge to increase my level of regular physical activity.” Members will receive a decorative certificate, a cool t-shirt, an attractive lapel pin and a 2-page (front & back) monthly newsletter providing helpful information, motivational input, and networking opportunities.

Numerous organizations that participate in the Arkansas Healthy Aging Coalition have expressed an interest in promoting the Hernando DeSoto Society in Arkansas, including Arkansas Department of Health leaders, the Area Agencies on Aging and their network of the senior centers across the state, and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Services with agents in every county in Arkansas. Such widespread participation will serve to communicate a uniform message about the importance of increasing levels of physical activity and will promote networking among Society members at the community level.

Keep an eye out in future issues of this paper for more information on the Hernando DeSoto Society.

On the national level, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has called on Americans to take the steps that will lead to a healthier nation. Focusing attention on the importance of prevention and promising approaches for promoting healthy environments, the Secretary has laid out his priorities and programs for Steps to a HealthierUS, a HHS department-wide effort in support of the President's HealthierUS initiative.

“I am convinced that preventing disease by promoting better health is a smart policy choice for our future,” Secretary Thompson said. “Our current health care system is not structured to deal with the escalating costs of treating diseases that are largely preventable through changes in our lifestyle choices.”

“Steps envisions a healthy, strong United States — where diseases are prevented when possible, controlled when necessary and treated when appropriate. It's a bold shift in our approach to the health of our citizens, moving us from a disease care system to a health care system.”

At the heart of this program lie both personal responsibility for the choices Americans make and social responsibility to ensure that policy makers support programs that foster healthy behaviors and prevent disease. Steps will focus on reducing the major health burden created by obesity, asthma, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and cancer.

HHS has released a Prevention Portfolio — a series of three publications that will guide community leaders, policy makers and health officials in their efforts to make their communities healthier. The trio of publications provides useful tools — the why, how, and what of disease prevention for policymakers and their managers. The first of a series in support of the Steps initiative, these three publications are:

These publications, together with a brochure about Steps to a HealthierUS, are available at www.HealthierUS.gov/steps.