Articles
The Journal on Active Aging brings articles of value to professionals dedicated to older-adult quality of life. Content sweeps across the active-aging landscape to focus on education and practice. Find articles of interest by searching the article archives in three ways: Enter a keyword in the articles search bar; click on search by topic; or type a keyword or phrase in the general search bar at the top of the page.
Dr. Kenneth Cooper promotes living better longer by Julie King, MS
How do you go from an overweight 29-year-old to the "Father of Aerobics"? An unexpected epiphany led Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH, to a life-altering change in career course. While water skiing in 1960, he felt like he was having a heart attack. At the hospital, the doctor determined that Dr. Cooper's heart was healthy, but he was out of shape. He had experienced a temporary irregular heartbeat. Poor nutrition and inactivity during his medical studies and residency had pushed Cooper's weight to 204 lbs., a gain of more than 30 lbs. This physical deconditioning was then compounded by pressures related to his military career and new marriage. His critical wake-up call both humbled and motivated the former high-school basketball All-Star and state track champion, and physician. Cooper started running the next day and, in 1962, completed his first Boston Marathon. Over the six months following his health scare, he shed 40 lbs. by exercising and following a healthy diet. His prediabetes and hypertension disappeared, replaced by his firsthand knowledge that exercise was a critical--and largely ignored--part of healthcare. "My experience," Cooper says, "proved how regular exercise could significantly improve your health. I had to share this revelation." Cooper has been on a mission to change the health of Americans ever since.
moreThought leaders
What lifelong learners told ICAA
For two decades, the International Council on Active Aging has reported research about age 50+ adults to help members stay up to date with the changing body of knowledge. The active-aging industry is the primary focus for ICAA research. But, as the association celebrates its 20th anniversary, results of its first consumer survey have arrived. The ICAA Lifestyle Survey of Older Adults shares the perspectives of people assumed to be lifelong learners because they responded to an invitation in a One Day University newsletter. Overall, these individuals are in good, very good or excellent health, appear to be financially stable and engage in lifelong learning. In addition to their views on housing, survey respondents also shared their priorities, satisfaction with areas of their lives, use of technologies and reasons for considering a move out of their current home. Details appear in the full survey report [available at www.icaa.cc in the "Research" ("Reports") section].
moreMarket segments
Environment impacts aging at a genetic level
The places we live can change us -- in many cases, down to the molecular level. Exposure to chemicals and other harmful substances in our environment can affect our health in myriad ways over time, aggravating existing health problems, contributing to new disease such as cancer and even impacting how our genes work. Scientists are studying the way our genomic and biological processes change in response to the environment or other external factors in the growing field of epigenetics. In a pair of 2020 studies, [scientists from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)] found that 1) epigenetic changes related to aging and mortality are impacted by the environment, and 2) epigenetic changes may reveal whether a person is more susceptible to health risks in their environment. The studies are among the first to link these biological indicators of accelerated aging, called molecular biomarkers, to both the quality of the environment and environmental health risks. [Reprinted from the US Environmental Protection Agency's Science Matters newsletter, April 19, 2021.]
moreEnvironmental wellness
Understanding aging: Dr. Eileen Crimmins makes the case for behavioral and social factors by Colin Milner
As an industry and as professionals, the potential of "living better longer" inspires us to dream, innovate and deliver new opportunities that support aging adults in engaging fully in life throughout their years. Our ability to foster the pursuit of aging well grows along with the body of research that reevaluates what we know about aging. To embrace those possibilities requires us--as leaders of the active-aging movement--to rethink aging. Every month in the "Colin Milner Rethinks Aging With ..." podcast, I do just that. As International Council on Active Aging founder/CEO, I interview thought leaders and aging-well disruptors who share innovative strategies and expert advice to help organizations, professionals and clients rethink aging. Social scientist and demographer Eileen Crimmins, PhD, was my recent guest. Her research explores changes over time in health and mortality in adults ages 50 years and older. In a published paper, Dr. Crimmins recently proposed that to truly understand aging, research should include "social hallmarks of aging" as well as biological biomarkers. She and I covered these hallmarks--plus other topics of interest--in our interview. Let's dive in!
moreGerontology
ICAA–The next decade: A transformative trend will drive a changing industry by Colin Milner
I am thrilled, honored and humbled to share that October 1, 2021, marks the International Council on Active Aging's 20th anniversary! I look back on the many "firsts" in our journey to grow and unite the active-aging industry: defining "active aging" as a differentiator for senior living and organizations working with older adults; incorporating "functional capacity" as a pillar of healthy aging; embracing "older adults" as a heterogeneous population that spans a wide range of capabilities, interests and aspirations; and promoting a more comprehensive concept of wellness as culture. While it feels great to reflect on where we've come from and the progress we've made in building upon this foundation, I am laser-focused now on where we're going. Notable trends are emerging and converging to shape the industry moving forward. Driving all these trends is one overarching trend transforming the industry's future: the ascendence of the person-centered model.
moreGerontology
The "health data economy": Marketing connects interests and lifestyle to improve health by Colin Milner
What is the future of marketing? If you or I could answer that question with any accuracy, we would earn a lot of money. But is it an impossible task? Well, it's not implausible for us to find indicators to guide us. As an example, we know technology will continue to play a significant role in how we learn about products and services. Algorithms are already key. Whether we're on Facebook or Netflix, what we see is driven by algorithms that take our purchasing history and match new compelling options to gain our business. Some people see algorithms, as well as Internet cookies and other things that facilitate technology-based marketing, as Big Brother-like intrusions on their privacy; others welcome this marketing as a convenience. Many marketers see the benefits. ... With its focus on interests, such marketing is about delivering the right content, service or product at the right moment. But what if the future of marketing is not just about our interests? What if it's about how those interests interact with our lifestyles to improve health and well-being? According to S. Jay Olshansky, PhD, a focus on enhancing health and well-being will drive the "health data economy," and the marketers who seek your business.
more
