Now is the time to examine the critical factors that contribute to healthy aging and empower the next generation of older adults. In 2015, the U.S. population included an estimated 47.8 million people age 65 and older. By 2060, people in this age group will comprise nearly one in four U.S. residents. The growth of this population is one of the most significant shifts in demographic trends in the history of our country, with an influx of baby boomers —people born between 1946 and 1964—making this age group the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. The Summit will focus on keeping Americans healthy as they transition into older adulthood and maximizing the health of all older adults through prevention strategies like encouraging healthy lifestyles, planning for aging, improving the use of preventive services, and much more.

Using social determinants of health to focus on healthy aging. What contributes to longer and healthier lives throughout older adulthood? The Summit will highlight interventions, services, supports, and strategies that optimize health and prevent, avert, or delay entry into the healthcare system. Greater understanding of the social, environmental, emotional, and other factors that influence health in the later years of life redefines how we approach aging and can reduce healthcare costs to individuals, families, caregivers, systems, and communities.

Your work is part of this collective effort. The 2018 Healthy Aging Summit seeks broad participation by subject matter experts from diverse disciplines, provider types, and the public-private sectors. We want to learn from subject matter experts first-hand what is working across important areas such as healthcare, transportation, built environment, housing, law and policy, and faith-based partnerships.

Whether you are a provider, healthcare consumer, health official, educator, student, caregiver, or older adult, your involvement at this Summit will help to ensure that Americans of all ages live longer, healthier, happier lives.

The 2018 Healthy Aging Summit goals are to:

1.       Explore the science on healthy aging;
2.       Identify knowledge gaps;
3.       Promote prevention;  and
4.       Support people aging in place and in their community.