title: Environmental and policy change to support healthy aging.
abstract: Given the growing evidence of the influence of the environment on older adult health, the need to design and implement effective environmental policy around healthy and vital aging is urgent. This article describes issues amenable to improvement through policy change, evidence supporting specific policy approaches and outcomes, and promising strategies for implementing those approaches. Key areas of focus are neighborhood design and safety, housing, transportation, and mobility. Strategies to build capacity for policy change are also addressed. Our goals are to foster greater attention to environmental change in support of healthy aging and to illuminate directions for policy change.
authors: Institute on Aging, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA. rebecca_hunter@unc.edu
authors: Rebecca H
authors: RH
authors: Hunter
authors: Kathy
authors: K
authors: Sykes
authors: Sarah G
authors: SG
authors: Lowman
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Duncan
authors: William A
authors: WA
authors: Satariano
authors: Basia
authors: B
authors: Belza
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001107:Architectural Accessibility / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005544:Forecasting; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006078:Government Programs / Q000639:trends; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D011050:Policy Making; D011634:Public Health / Q000639:trends; D011640:Public Policy / Q000639:trends*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012449:Safety / Q000592:standards*; D014186:Transportation / Q000592:standards