Scientific research
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Access and utilize the ICAA library of scientific studies, reports and statistics to assist you with the development of your business case for wellness, program and community design and development, evidence-informed lifestyle choices and marketing strategies and approaches.
Topic- Public policy
WHO releases toolkit on physical activity for older adults
The World Health Organization recently published a multifaceted toolkit aimed at promoting physical activity for older adults globally. ICAA CEO Colin Milner contributed insights for the toolkit, and while active-aging organizations certainly realize the importance of physical activity and are implementing their own strategies, this publication could add value. It provides evidence-based interventions to "educate and encourage" older adults to engage in physical activity, "engage and support" them, and "enable every day," as well as a deep dive into the key enabling factors that underpin an effective and sustainable approach to providing physical activity opportunities for older people. References and additional resources make the toolkit a "must-have" for active-aging management and staff who want to try new interventions and who make related presentations, especially in a global context.
morePublic policy
Community spaces may boost healthy aging for older non-white adults
Millions of Americans over the age of 65 lack access to the social and emotional support they need for healthy aging, and non-white individuals in rural communities are especially susceptible. Recent research from Penn State found that the presence of social infrastructure -- shared community spaces that are free or low cost to visit -- in these communities may help provide social and emotional support and promote healthy aging among older, non-white adults. Active-aging organizations might think about ways to help.
morePublic policy
UK prevention/enablement model boosts wellness, cuts costs
A collaboration among the Essex County Council, Active Essex, Sport for Confidence and Sport England showed various benefits, including increased physical activity and wellbeing among participants, and some decrease in doctors' visits, emergency calls and hospital trips. This reduction in service use was estimated to represent a cost saving of £365.23 per person, per year, according to a recent report on the outcomes of the Prevention and Enablement Model (PEM). The model demonstrates the value of collaboration among community organizations in improving constituents' wellness while reducing healthcare costs.
morePublic policy
Brain health benefits economies globally
In a recent commentary in the journal Nature Aging, Sarah Lenz Lock, JD, Senior VP Policy & Brain Health and Executive Director, Global Council on Brain Health, Washington DC, highlights what AARP calls the "six pillars of brain health" and their economic and societal benefits. Lock writes, "[A]n often-overlooked benefit of brain health is what it can mean for an entire society when its older population is more cognitively resilient -- specifically, the positive effect that a mentally sharp workforce brings to the larger economy." It's something the active-aging industry needs to keep in mind, and actively promote.
morePublic policy
Planting trees can prevent heat-related deaths
Planting more trees could decrease deaths from higher summer temperatures in cities by a third, a modeling study suggests. Researchers modeled 93 European cities and found that increasing tree cover up to 30% could help lower the temperature of urban environments and prevent heat-related deaths (average city tree coverage in Europe is currently 14.9%). Of the 6,700 premature deaths attributed to higher temperatures in cities during 2015, 2,644 could have been prevented by increased tree coverage. There are lessons in the study for local active-aging organizations, as well.
morePublic policy
Designing societies that benefit all generations: Roadmap
The success of longevity interventions is putting countries on paths to becoming aging societies, in which the number of individuals aged 65 and older is equal to the number of people aged 15 and younger. This outcome may lead to resistance to investments in healthy longevity, according to aging experts, if concerns are raised that the needs of older individuals will overwhelm societies, exacerbate ageism, and divide populations.
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