EPA Announces New Aging Initiative To Protect Older Persons From Environmental Health Threats

10/29/2002

From: Steffanie Bell of the Environmental Protection Agency, 202-564-6976 or bell.steffanie@epa.gov

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 -- EPA Administrator Christie Whitman today met with the heads of the nation's leading aging organizations to announce that the agency is developing a new Aging Initiative that will result in a national agenda designed to examine and prioritize environmental health threats to older persons.

The Initiative will examine the impact that a rapidly growing aging population will have on ecosystems as well as encourage older persons to volunteer in their own communities to reduce hazards and protect the environment for future generations. This will be the first coordinated approach by the agency to address environmental hazards that affect the health of the elderly. Thirty-five different organizations were represented at today's meeting.

"Protecting the health of older Americans must be one of EPA's priorities," said Whitman. "There is much we can do together to make older persons and their families aware of -- and safe from --environmental hazards that may impact their health and quality of life."

Speaking on behalf of the 50-member Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), President and CEO of the National Council on the Aging James Firman said, "We commend the EPA for focusing on the health and safety of older Americans. We know many LCAO members will want to work with the EPA to educate seniors about such threats and promote civic engagement of seniors nationwide in combating these problems."

Currently there are 35 million people in the United States 65 years of age and older, and that number is expected to double over the next 30 years. In 2011, the first of the baby boomers will begin to turn 65. Among older Americans there is an increasing number who are at risk of chronic diseases and disabling conditions that may be caused or exacerbated by environmental conditions. Hazards that may adversely impact the health of older Americans are lead, indoor and outdoor air pollution, microorganisms in water and pesticides. As part of the Initiative, the agency will build on ongoing projects.

In December, the National Academy of Sciences will hold a workshop in Washington, D.C., to examine the susceptibility of older persons to environmental health hazard, and what interventions can be undertaken to reduce the exposure to environmental hazards.

The Aging Initiative will draw on the expertise of professionals and researchers at the federal, state and local levels in the fields of environment and health. EPA will also work with the public and service provider organizations dealing with the aging population. Whitman announced that public meetings to get input for the Initiative would be held in the spring in California, Florida, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, D.C.

Attendees at EPA meeting for announcement of the Agency's Aging Initiative:

Abegg, Heidi -- National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers Aviv, Diana -- United Jewish Communities Benson, William -- National Indian Council on Aging Butler, Fran -- American Association of International Aging Certner, David -- AARP Dinsmore, Alan -- American Federation for the Blind Firman, James -- National Council on the Aging, Inc. Frey, Scott -- National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare Fong, Clayton -- National Asian Pacific Center on Aging Hoppert, Don -- American Public Health Association Howard, Laura -- National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs Kincheloe, Jeff -- National Association for Home Care King, Edward -- National Senior Citizens Law Center Lifsey, Diane -- National Council on the Aging Lindberg, Brian -- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys LLevat, Gladys -- National Association for Hispanic Elderly Lopatin, Alan -- National Association of Senior Companion Directors/RSVP Markwood, Sandy -- National Association of Area Agencies on Aging Muraney, Susan -- Gray Panthers O'Brien, Melanie -- Alliance for Aging Research Plooster, Les -- National Alliance for Caregiving Porter, Dianna -- Alliance for Retired Americans Quirk, Daniel -- National Association of State Units on Aging Reed, Jo -- AARP Riddle, Gary -- American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Seminario, Peg -- AFL-CIO Scott, Carol -- National Association of State Long Term Care Ombudsmen Pgms Schutz, Carol -- The Gerontological Society of America Sotomayor, Marta -- National Hispanic Council on Aging Stella, Frank -- American Federation of Teachers Trocchio, Julie -- Catholic Health Association of the United States Waxman, Judy -- Families USA Wooten, Andrea -- Experience Works Young, Laurie -- Older Women's League Zeitzner, Jennifer -- Alzheimer's Association