NASW Practice Snapshot:
National Public Policy Efforts Focus on Healthy Aging

Office of Social Work Specialty Practice

As the baby boom generation approaches retirement age, healthy aging is becoming an increasingly visible public policy issue with inherent implications for the social work profession. Public health advancements and new treatment options are helping Americans live longer and more productive lives. While Americans are living longer, it is also important that they live stronger and healthier.

Many chronic diseases can be treated if they are detected in time. Too often, older Americans endure chronic physical and mental illnesses that could be avoided or diminished if they were more proactively addressed. Social workers can play a critical role in helping older Americans protect their health by promoting prevention, early detection, and screening. Even simple prevention measures such as minimizing safety hazards in the home and reducing fall risks can empower older adults to stay healthy and remain living in their own communities for as long as possible.

Several national efforts are underway to promote the concept of healthy aging with the goal of keeping Americans healthier and stronger throughout their later years. “Healthy Aging” is the focus of this year's National Public Health Week. The annual observance, which is organized by the American Public Health Association, will promote the three “Ps” for adding more healthy years to a person's life: prevention, protection, and planning.

The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) is also organizing efforts to promote healthy aging. The “You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging” campaign aims to promote healthier lifestyles for older Americans through increased physical activity and better food choices. Both the American Public Health Association and the U.S. Administration provide free toolkits to organizations that want to participate in the campaigns.

The 2005 White House Conference on Aging will look at policy recommendations on a number of general issue areas: Planning along the Lifespan, Workplace of the Future, Our Community, Social Engagement, and the Marketplace. Health promotion and disease prevention are topic areas that are expected to be a major focal point of the policy recommendations that will be addressed during the conference.

NASW is committed to helping social workers empower their clients to live stronger and longer. As a participating partner in National Public Health Week, NASW and other partner organizations throughout the nation will assist with a public education campaign that will focus on preventing health problems by practicing healthy living, early detection and screening, and planning for health management to promote a high quality of life in later years.

For more information about national efforts to promote healthy aging, visit the following Web sites.

National Association of Social Workers. (2003). Senior Health and Vitality. Social Work Speaks: National Association of Social Workers Policy Statements. 2003-2006 (6 th ed., pp. 320-326). Washington , DC : NASW Press.
http://www.socialworkers.org/resources/abstracts/abstracts/seniorHealth.asp

NASW's Comments to the White House Conference on Aging's Policy Committee
http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/aging/aging090904.asp

National Public Health Week
www.apha.org

The U.S. Administration on Aging
www.aoa.gov

The White House Conference on Aging
www.whcoa.gov

NASW, March 2005