Dept of Health Nassau partners with TFAH to address public health needs of older Floridians

Florida Dept of Health - Nassau

November 26, 2018 2:00 p.m.

The Florida Department of Health in Nassau is pleased to announce its participation in the Florida Age-Friendly Public Health Collaborative and Action Network, facilitated by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) with generous funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation. The department and TFAH aim to identify and enhance the role of public health in improving the health and well-being of the older adults in our community.

“This is a timely issue and we are excited about the opportunity to learn with other public health partners how to make Nassau County more Age-Friendly through the life-course,” stated Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel, Health Department Director, “Whether we, ourselves, are an older adult or have older adults in our families, looking at our strengths and our gaps will help to plan for a healthier future for all.”

Nassau County is a growing community with older residents who bring vitality and wisdom to our daily lives. Over the past thirty years, the population of older Floridians in Nassau County has grown and now exceeds the rate of youth (under 18 years). Data reveal that twenty eight percent (28%) of all Nassau citizens are over the age of 60 years. Of this older population, 93% are white, 5.5% black, 1.3% Hispanic and 1.1% other; 47% are male and 52% are female. It is projected that the over 60 population will grow by more than 10,000 residents over the next 10 years.

Many have relocated for the warm weather, while others have been Floridians all their lives. This fact is true, Nassau County is an ideal place to live, work and retire. Between the sunshine which supports general health and the warm weather for outdoor activities year-round, Nassau County truly is the ideal place to live for all years of your life. The Florida Department of Health in Nassau County Age-Friendly Public Health Collaborative will work to support optimal health and services for our all persons as we age together.

In October 2017, TFAH brought together 30 experts in public health, aging, research and policy in Florida to explore how public health could contribute to the health and well-being of older adults. Convening participants developed a Framework for Creating an Age-Friendly Public Health System to advance public health’s role in addressing the challenges and opportunities of an aging society at the local, state and national levels.

Through the Florida Age-Friendly Public Health Network, the department will be working with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and community partners to identify priority health issues among our older adults. DOH-Nassau will receive tools, training resources, and technical assistance based on our unique needs. TFAH will be sharing the results of this initiative with public health stakeholders and policymakers across the country. This collaborative effort will help Florida meet the unique public health needs of older adults. To participate in the Nassau County Age-Friendly Public Health Collaborative contact Mary von Mohr at 904-557-9133 or mary.vonmohr@flhealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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