August 2, 2007

The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) in Lansing has been awarded a multi-year federal grant to prevent disease and improve the health of older adults.

The grant-provided through the Administration on Aging (AoA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)-will provide $250,000 per year for three years. The grant's purpose is to empower older people to take more personal control of their own health through disease prevention programs.

"Chronic disease is a major health concern in Michigan because of the growing number of aging adults and their effected families," said Sharon Gire, OSA Director. "It is easier and less costly to prevent chronic illness, rather than treat it after it happens."

Preliminary data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFS) reveals that 60 percent of the state's residents over age 59 reported having doctor-diagnosed arthritis, 18 percent indicated having hypertension, and 15.6 percent reported having cardiovascular disease.

Grant funding will be used to establish evidence-based disease prevention programs that will help combat chronic illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. These programs have been effective at empowering older adults to take charge of their own health thus reducing their risk of developing a disease and/or disability.

In Michigan, the funding will be given to four area agencies on aging (AAAs) in four regions of the state. The AAAs-the Detroit Area Agency on Aging (Wayne County), the Region 2 Area Agency on Aging (Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee Counties), the Valley Area Agency on Aging (Genesee, Lapeer and Shiawassee Counties) and the Region IX Area Agency on Aging (12 Counties in Northeast Michigan)-will start community coalitions to implement disease prevention activities while trying to reach the maximum number of older adults who are at risk.

Implementation of the disease prevention programs will also involve the training of community leaders and program staff, the development of community coalitions, and the conducting of annual conferences.

OSA will partner with all four AAAs and the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) to conduct a self-management program as well as other programs that address balance, physical activity, and fall prevention.