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Title: NOTES FROM THE CHAIR

Author:

Section/SPIG: Injury Control and Emergency Health Services

Issue Date:

NEWS FROM APHA TASK FORCE ON AGING

APHA’s New Task Force Explores Aging and Injury

With the aging of the baby boomer population, the number of older adults in our population is dramatically increasing. With this will come an increase in the number of older adults suffering injuries from falls, motor vehicle crashes, poisonings and variety of other means. In response to this trend, APHA has launched a new initiative to focus on the needs of our burgeoning aging population. The Task Force on Aging (TFA) was launched at the 2001 APHA Annual Meeting after the APHA Executive Board approved Aging and Public Health as an organizational priority area for the period 2000-2003. The Injury Control and Emergency Health Services Section is represented on the TFA by Patti Yanochko of the Center for Injury Prevention Policy and Practice and Karin Mack of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The TFA focuses on all adults aged > 65 years as well as adults aged < 65 years with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Its aims are to:

  • Raise awareness and promote education about individual and population aging within APHA and in the public health community;

  • Recommend ways to improve the public health infrastructure in the context of an aging population; and

  • Develop and advocate for public policies to improve the health and well-being of aging populations throughout the world.


    • The TFA has produced a “Scope of Public Health and Aging” framework to help guide the aims of the group. Many of the issues addressed in this framework overlap with the interests of our Section’s constituency. By working together with other sections in the TFA, we anticipate the development of diverse and creative avenues aimed at preventing injuries in our aging population. For a complete copy of this document or more information about the TFA, please contact Patti Yanochko at <pyanochko@projects.sdsu.edu>.

    In response to the concerns raised in the TFA, we are seeking ICEHS members who would be interested in forming a Section committee on Aging and Injury. If you are interested, please contact Patti Yanochko at <pyanochko@projects.sdsu.edu> or Karin Mack at <kim9@cdc.gov>.