Division of Population Health

The foundation for this project comes from the work of the HAN on environmental changes
including an audit tool and protocol for assessing the walkability of streets and communities.
The HAN created an Environmental and Policy Change (EPC) Clearinghouse to help states work
on collaborative projects. The resources in the clearinghouse were chosen for their relevance and
usefulness to people working in the fields of aging and disability services, public health, planning,
architecture, engineering, recreation, transportation, and health care.
The EPC Clearinghouse provides resources, tools, and strategies that support local efforts in
environmental and policy change for healthy aging. Examples include tool kits, best practices, case
studies, and process steps for engaging other stakeholders. Other resources include guidelines for
working with decision makers at various levels of government and environmental and policy change
information specific to older adults in the areas of walkability, livable communities, transportation,
older pedestrians and drivers, access to healthy foods, universal design, and rural community issues.
As of Spring 2013, the EPC clearinghouse resources have been integrated into the AARP Livable
Communities Web site (www.aarp.org/livable), which highlights resources for community leaders to
learn, plan, and act to create livable communities for all ages.
As the public health sector continues to collaborate with aging services to improve physical
activity options at the individual level, we must look ahead to the following areas of mobility
research and interventions:
• Bringing together stakeholders in communities to ensure joint planning and collaborations
that focus on environmental changes to support livable communities for all ages.
• Addressing beliefs, motivations, and perceptions about mobility among individuals and
families to help them overcome self-restricted mobility limitations or to effectively cope
with the circumstances related to mobility restriction.
• Modifying the environment through policy change to make the most of the available
mobility options.
• Providing appropriate assistive devices to enhance mobility inside and outside the home. 17
A public health emphasis on aging, mobility, and quality of life is essential to improving people’s
health across their lifespan.
Related Resources
Older Adults and Driving
www.cdc.gov/Features/OlderDrivers
Complete Streets
www.completestreets.org
Smart Growth
www.smartgrowth.org
CDC-HAN Environmental Audit Tool
www.prc-han.org/docs/HAN-audit-tool-protocol-090309.pdf
Environmental Policy Change Clearinghouse
http://depts.washington.edu/hansite/drupal
PAGE 44 The State of Aging and Health in America 2013