AGNG
          nitiative
          Protecting the Health of Older Americans
Fact Sheet


          Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging
                       National Recognition Program


What is the National Recognition Program for Communities that Combine
Smart Growth & Active Aging? The principal goal of the "Building Healthy
Communities for Active Aging" program is to raise awareness across the nation about healthy
synergies that can be achieved by communities combining Smart Growth and Active Aging
concepts. The U.S. EPA's Aging Initiative will spearhead a multi-agency effort conceived and
developed in partnership with:
   •  The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
   •  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC
   •  The National Council on Aging's Center for Healthy Aging
   •  The National Blueprint Office
   •  Active for Life

Additionally, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, through its Active for Life program, will
support a Healthy Communities for Active Aging Learning Network for participating
communities and tribes and the National Blueprint and the CDC Healthy Aging Research
Network will provide technical assistance.

What is Smart Growth? Smart Growth is characterized by development patterns that
create attractive, distinctive, walkable communities that give people of varying age, wealth, and
physical ability a range of safe, affordable, convenient choices in where they live and how they
get around. Growing smart also ensures that existing resources are used efficiently and that
lands and buildings that shape communities are preserved.

Communities across the country are using creative strategies to develop in ways that preserve
natural lands and critical environmental areas, protect water and air quality and reuse previously
developed land. They conserve resources by reinvesting in existing infrastructure and reclaiming
historic buildings. By designing neighborhoods to contain homes, shops, offices, parks, and
other amenities, these communities are giving their residents and visitors the option of walking,
bicycling, taking public transportation, or driving as they go about their business. A range of
different types of homes makes it possible for aging Americans to stay in their homes as they

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age, young people to afford their first homes and families, at all stages in between, to find a safe
and attractive home they can afford. Through smart growth approaches that enhance
neighborhoods and involve local citizens in development decisions, these communities are
creating vibrant places to live, work, and play. The high quality of life in these communities
makes them economically competitive, creates business opportunities, and improves the local tax
base. For more information see: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth.

What is Active Aging?  Active Aging takes place when older adults regularly participate in
a variety of structured and unstructured physical activities. Communities can promote Active
Aging by implementing a diverse array of accessible physical-activity programs, and helping to
make more accessible self-directed physical-activity opportunities for those 60-plus. All of these
opportunities should emphasize activities that increase endurance, strength, flexibility, and
balance, while adhering to the principles of injury prevention. Self-directed activities include
walking, biking, fitness trails and similar activities that are appropriate for participants at various
levels of fitness and functional ability. For more information on Active Aging, please visit the
websites of the Active for Life Program at http://www.activeforlife.info. National Council  on
Aging's Center for Healthy Aging at: http://www.healthyagingprograms.org and the National
Blueprint at http://ww.agingblueprint.org.

What is the Goal of the Recognition Program?  The goal of the Building Healthy
Communities for Active Aging recognition program is to raise awareness about and promote
community development responsive to the principles of Smart Growth and Active Aging for
older adults.

What is the Benefit for a Community or Tribe participating in the Program?
While the details of the Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging recognition program
still are being developed, it is expected that communities and tribes participating in the program
will receive documentation recognizing their achievements. Program sponsors anticipate a major
event each year to honor those communities achieving the highest levels of Smart Growth/Active
Aging development. The Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging website will post
descriptions of each community's achievements in this area.  In addition, participating
communities will be eligible to participate in a virtual learning network that will provide a forum
for sharing lessons learned.

Help Shape  the Future for
Communities and Older Adults
                        For more information on
                        the EPA Aging Initiative: www.epa.gov/aging

                        Questions?   aging.info@epa.gov

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