Blueprint Partners Progress Newsletter: February 2005

In this Issue:

Top Issues to Watch in 2005
New NCOA Issue Briefs on Physical Activity
New Federal Government Dietary Guidelines Released
ICAA Awards Fitness Industry Innovators
AOA Older Americans Month Promoted
Special Report on Injuries for Older Adults
Women’s Heart Risk Underestimated by Doctors
Events for March – May

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Top Issues to Watch in 2005
The recall of Vioxx; the prevalence of obesity; the growing amount of research demonstrating that physical activity is a necessary component of aging; the impact of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003; and fad diets are the top issues for this year, according to the International Council on Active Aging. The organization polled 210 experts in government, senior housing, social services, and wellness centers.

Due to the prevalence of obesity, older adults will receive more education from the medical system, government, HMOs, and private companies on how to eat a healthy diet. Also, Medicare’s coverage of weight loss treatments will encourage more health insurance providers to offer incentive programs for weight loss and physical activity.

New NCOA Issue Briefs on Physical Activity
Two new issue briefs from the National Council on the Aging have been posted on the Blueprint website. “Using the Evidence Base to Promote Healthy Aging” discusses advantages of using the evidence-based approach and how to put evidence-based health promotion into practice. “Designing Safe and Effective Physical Activity Programs” provides information on the key components of physical activity programs, behavioral factors associated with initiating and maintaining physical activity, and principles of injury and risk management. The issue briefs are located in the News and Developments Section,
www.agingblueprint.org

New Federal Government Dietary Guidelines Released
Last month, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 were released with advice on how proper dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases. The new guidelines place a stronger emphasis on calorie control and physical activity. Several recommendations address special at-risk populations such as older adults.
www.healthierus.gov

ICAA Awards Fitness Industry Innovators
Six winners were named in the 2004 Industry Innovators Award for excellence and creativity in the health and wellness field. These organizations have created cutting-edge programs to support active aging among older adults.

Among the winners is the Center for Successful Aging at California State University. Jessie Jones and Debra Rose lead the center. Research conducted at the center has provided standards such as the Senior Fitness Test and FallProof, a fall prevention program.

AOA Older Americans Month Promoted
“Celebrate Long-Term Living” is the theme for the 2005 Older Americans Month in May. Posters and logos in various formats can be downloaded from the AOA website.

Special Report on Injuries for Older Adults
More than 1.5 million Americans age 65 and older entered emergency rooms with product-related injuries in 2002, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Their new study found that more than 15,000 people over age 65 died as a result of injuries in the home in 2003. Americans over age 75 are especially vulnerable to injuries. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional home injuries.
www.cpsc.gov

Women’s Heart Risk Underestimated by Doctors
Men are more likely than women to receive recommendations from their doctors for preventive therapies, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The treatment gap is a result of doctors’ misperception that a woman’s risk of heart disease is lower than a man’s, even when the actual risk is the same. In the study, less than one in five physicians recognized that more women die of heart disease than men each year.
www.americanheart.org

Events for March – May
19th National Conference on Disease Prevention and Control: Health Disparities
March 1-3; Atlanta, GA

American Society on Aging/National Council on the Aging Annual Conference
March 10-13; Philadelphia, PA

Fifty Plus Fitness Association’s 22nd Annual Fitness Weekend
March 11-13; Palo Alto, CA

International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association 24th Annual International Convention
March 16-19; San Francisco, CA

ACSM Health and Fitness Summit
March 29-April 1; Las Vegas, NV

2005 AAHPERD National Conference
April 12-16; Chicago, IL

Visiting Nurse Associations of America Annual Conference
April 27-29; San Diego, CA

Assisted Living Federation National Conference
May 4-6; Atlanta, GA

American Geriatrics Society 2005 Annual Scientific Meeting
May 11-15; Orlando, FL

American Occupational Therapy Association Conference
May 12-15; Long Beach, CA

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The Blueprint Partners Project is an initiative of the Active Aging Partnership. For more information, contact the National Blueprint Office at the University of Illinois Department of Kinesiology.
Website: www.agingblueprint.org