U.S. EPA Aging Initiative List Serve May 2011

May is Older American's Month
Presidential Proclamation—Older Americans Month
Older Americans have lived through momentous and trying times in our history, and they have strengthened our national character. Their experience and wisdom connect us to the past and help us meet the challenges of the present. During Older Americans Month, we show our support and appreciation for these treasured individuals who have contributed so much to our Nation.

This year's theme for Older Americans Month, "Age Strong, Live Long," recognizes the efforts of people of all ages to promote the well-being, community involvement, and independence of senior citizens. As Americans live longer, healthier, and more productive lives, many are starting second careers and continuing to be involved in their communities. Dedicated older Americans are also answering the call to serve through the Corporation for National and Community Service's Senior Corps.

My Administration is committed to ensuring older Americans can age strong and live long. By strengthening Medicare and Medicaid, while protecting Social Security, we help ensure all Americans can age with dignity. The recently enacted Affordable Care Act strengthens Medicare by providing free preventive care starting next year, enhancing care coordination, and gradually closing the "donut hole" gap in prescription drug coverage. In addition, this law includes provisions to help prevent and eliminate elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Along with the Middle Class Task Force's Caregiver Initiative, we are investing in wellness and prevention programs to help seniors remain healthy and close to their loved ones. The Administration on Aging's network of State and local organizations provides services to older Americans that help prevent unnecessary hospitalization or institutionalization.

We must also protect seniors by expanding efforts to fight fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid through national and State efforts, as well as community-based programs that empower retirees to detect and defend against health care fraud.

Many of our Nation's older men and women have worked tirelessly and sacrificed so their children could achieve something greater. Their passion and experience inspire us all and we are privileged to honor and care for the generations whose legacy continues to enrich our Nation and shape our future.

I, Barak Obama, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2010 as Older Americans Month. I call upon citizens of all ages to honor older Americans this month with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Read more...

A Profile of Older Americans: 2010 Highlights*

The older population (65+) numbered 39.6 million in 2009, an increase of 4.3 million or 12.5% since 1999.
The number of Americans aged 45-64 - who will reach 65 over the next two decades - increased by 26% during this decade.
In 2009, 19.9% of persons 65+ were minorities--8.3% were African-Americans.** Persons of Hispanic origin (who may be of any race) represented 7.0% of the older population.
About 3.4% were Asian or Pacific Islander,** and less than 1% were American Indian or Native Alaskan.**
About 30% (11.3 million) of noninstitutionalized older persons live alone (8.3 million women, 3.0 million men). Half of older women (49%) age 75+ live alone.
About 475,000 grandparents aged 65 or more had the primary responsibility for their grandchildren who lived with them.
The population 65 and over will increase from 35 million in 2000 to 40 million in 2010 (a 15% increase) and then to 55 million in 2020 (a 36% increase for that decade).
The 85+ population is projected to increase from 4.2 million in 2000 to 5.7 million in 2010 (a 36% increase) and then to 6.6 million in 2020 (a 15% increase for that decade).
Minority populations are projected to increase from 5.7 million in 2000 (16.3% of the elderly population) to 8.0 million in 2010 (20.1% of the elderly) and then to 12.9 million in 2020 (23.6% of the elderly).
The median income of older persons in 2009 was $25,877 for males and $15,282 for females. Median money income (after adjusting for inflation) of all households headed by older people rose 5.8% (statistically significant) from 2008 to 2009. Households containing families headed by persons 65+ reported a median income in 2009 of $43,702.
The major sources of income as reported by older persons in 2008 were Social Security (reported by 87% of older persons), income from assets (reported by 54%), private pensions (reported by 28%), government employee pensions (reported by 14%), and earnings (reported by 25%).
Social Security constituted 90% or more of the income received by 34% of beneficiaries in 2008 (21% of married couples and 43% of non-married beneficiaries).
Almost 3.4 million elderly persons (8.9%) were below the poverty level in 2009. This poverty rate is statistically different from the poverty rate in 2008 (9.7%).
About 11% (3.7 million) of older Medicare enrollees received personal care from a paid or unpaid source in 1999.
*Principal sources of data for the Profile are the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Profile incorporates the latest data available but not all items are updated on an annual basis.

EPA Helps Build Awareness Around Asthma
Asthma affects nearly 25 million people in the U.S.
To kick off Asthma Awareness Month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is commemorating World Asthma Day by bringing awareness to a growing nationwide problem. Asthma has consistently increased over the past decade with more than 4 million additional cases reported, including nearly 1 million additional cases reported in children. One out of every 10 school aged children is affected and approximately 13 million people have reported having an asthma attack in the past year. EPA is taking action to ensure cleaner air and a healthier environment for children and families dealing with asthma.

"All Americans should be able to breathe easy whether they're at home, at work or on the playground," EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. "Yet too many of our children and family members suffer from asthma, resulting in doctor and hospital visits, lost learning time, more sick days and higher health care costs. It's our mission at EPA to protect the health of our communities by putting Clean Air Act safeguards in place to reduce levels of harmful pollutants in the air we all breathe. "

As part of Asthma Awareness Month, EPA recommends these top five steps people can take to help prevent asthma attacks:

Take it outside. One of the most common asthma triggers in the home is second hand smoke. Until they can quit, people should smoke outside, not in their home or car.
Play it safe. Ozone and particle pollution can cause asthma attacks. People should check the Air Quality Index (AQI) to view reports of unhealthy levels.
Keep it clean. Dust mites are also triggers for asthma. For dust mite control, cover mattresses and pillows with allergen proof covers and wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water.
Stake your claim. Household pets can also trigger asthma. People should keep pets out of the bedroom and off furniture.
Break the mold. Mold is another asthma trigger. The key to controlling mold is controlling moisture. People should wash and dry hard surfaces to prevent and remove mold, and should replace moldy ceiling tiles and carpet.

For more information on asthma, read more...

Mental Health Month
Since 1949, May is Mental Health Month has been celebrated each May. According to Mental Health America, 1 in 4 American adults live with a diagnosable, treatable mental health condition in any given year. This year's theme, "Do More for 1 in 4," is a call to action to help the roughly 60 million Americans who have a mental health condition and raise awareness of the fact that they can go on to live full and productive lives. For more information, read more...

10 Tips for Improving the Mental Health of Older Adults

Fact Sheet on Depression in Older Adults

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II. News, Research, Reports and Presentations

Obama Administration Affirms Comprehensive Commitment to Clean Water
Recognizing the importance of clean water and healthy watersheds to our economy, environment and communities, the Obama administration released a national clean water framework today that showcases its comprehensive commitment to protecting the health of America's waters. The framework emphasizes the importance of partnerships and coordination with states, local communities, stakeholders and the public to protect public health and water quality, and promote the nation's energy and economic security.

"The steps we're outlining today will be instrumental to protecting the waters of the United States, and ensuring that the vital natural resources our communities depend on for their health and their economy are safeguarded for generations to come," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "After four decades of progress on clean water, there is still work to be done to address unfinished business and tackle new threats to our waters. American families and businesses are counting on us to maintain and improve the rivers, lakes, streams and other waters that support thousands of communities and millions of jobs across the country."

The Obama administration is safeguarding clean water by:

Promoting Innovative Partnerships
Federal agencies are partnering with states, tribes, local governments and diverse stakeholders on innovative approaches to restore urban waters, promote sustainable water supplies, and develop new incentives for farmers to protect clean water.
Enhancing Communities and Economies by Restoring Important Water Bodies
The Obama administration is dedicating unprecedented attention to restoring iconic places like the Chesapeake Bay, California Bay-Delta, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico and Everglades, investing in action and helping states, local governments and stakeholders find pollution control solutions that are tailored to their specific needs.
Innovating for More Water Efficient Communities
The administration is working with policymakers, consumers, farmers and businesses to save water - and save money - through 21st century water management policies and technology.
Ensuring Clean Water to Protect Public Health
The Obama administration is aggressively pursuing new ways to protect public health by reducing contaminants in Americans' drinking water. We are updating drinking water standards, protecting drinking water sources, modernizing the tools available to communities to meet their clean water requirements, and providing affordable clean water services in rural communities.
Enhancing Use and Enjoyment of our Waters
The administration is promoting stewardship of America's waters through innovative programs and partnerships. These efforts include expanding access to waterways for recreation, protecting rural landscapes, and promoting public access to private lands for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities.
Updating the Nation's Water Policies
The administration is strengthening protection of America's waters and American communities. We are modernizing water resources guidelines, and updating federal guidance on where the Clean Water Act applies nationwide. The draft guidance will protect waters that many communities depend upon for drinking, swimming, and fishing, and provide clearer, more predictable guidelines for determining which water bodies are protected from pollution under the Clean Water Act. The guidance is open for 60 days of public comment to all allow all stakeholders to provide input and feedback before it is finalized.
Supporting Science to Solve Water Problems
The administration is using the latest science and research to improve water policies and programs and identify and address emerging pollution challenges.

More information and to read the Obama administration's clean water framework.

Climate Change Already Hurting Agriculture
by Sara Reardon

As the planet warms, dire predictions of coastal flooding, inland droughts, ruined farmland, and global food shortages fill the news and research journals. But for all the talk of the future, scientists have little data on how climate change has already affected agriculture. A new study hopes to shed some light on this area.

"It's a frustration having to always answer questions about the future and having everyone think of climate change as something in the future," says David Lobell, an agricultural scientist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. "It's not something we have to anticipate. It's something we have to learn from and deal with right now."

Worldwide, the authors report in Science, yields of corn and wheat declined by 3.8% and 5.5%, respectively, compared with what they would have been without global warming. Rice and soybean production remained the same. But the trends vary considerably from region to region. Unlike most other regions, the United States and Canada saw no climate-linked decline in food production during this period. Lobell says that this is consistent with data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). For more information, read more...

Affect and loneliness among centenarians and the oldest old: The role of individual and social resources, Aging Ment Health. 2011 Apr;15(3):385-96.
Margrett JA, Daugherty K, Martin P, Macdonald M, Davey A, Woodard JL, Miller LS, Siegler IC, Poon LW.

Source: Department of Human Development and Family Studies & the Gerontology Program, Iowa State University, Ames, USA.

Objectives: Affect and loneliness are important indicators of mental health and well-being in older adulthood and are linked to significant outcomes including physical health and mortality. Given a large focus on young-old adults within gerontological research, the primary aim of this study was to examine the ability of individual and social resources in predicting affect and loneliness within a sample of oldest-old individuals including centenarians, an understudied population.

Methods: Participants were assessed during the most recent cross-sectional data collection of the Georgia Centenarian Study. The eligible sample included 55 octogenarians (M = 83.70 years, SD = 2.68; range = 81-90) and 77 centenarians (M = 99.78 years, SD = 1.64; range = 98-109). Subjects scored 17 or greater on the Mini-Mental Status Exam and completed mental health assessments.

Results: Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the relation of affect and loneliness with demographic characteristics, physical and social functioning, cognition, and personality. Within this sample of cognitively intact oldest old, measures of executive control and cognitive functioning demonstrated limited association with mental health. Personality, specifically neuroticism, was strongly related to mental health indicators for both age groups and social relations were particularly important associates of centenarians' mental health.

Discussion: Findings indicate the distinctiveness of mental health indicators and the need to distinguish differential roles of individual and social resources in determining these outcomes among octogenarians and centenarians. For more infromation, read more...

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III. New Resources and Opportunities

Cool Roofs Resources
A high solar reflectance-or albedo-is the most important characteristic of a cool roof as it helps to reflect sunlight and heat away from a building, reducing roof temperatures. A high thermal emittance also plays a role, particularly in climates that are warm and sunny. Together, these properties help roofs to absorb less heat and stay up to 50-60°F (28-33°C) cooler than conventional materials during peak summer weather.

Building owners and roofing contractors have used cool roofing products for more than 20 years on commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. They may be installed on low-slope roofs (such as the flat or gently sloping roofs typically found on commercial, industrial, and office buildings) or the steep-sloped roofs used in many residences and retail buildings.

Through the ENERGY STAR program, EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) help consumers and other purchasers identify the most energy-efficient roofing products. Roofing materials with the ENERGY STAR label have met minimum solar reflectance and reliability criteria. Based on 2006 data from more than 150 ENERGY STAR partners, shipments of cool roof products have grown to represent more than 25 percent of these manufacturers' commercial roof products and roughly 10 percent of their residential roof products. For more infromation, read more...

Portland's Northwest Shingle Recyclers grind oil from shingles for reuse as asphalt for roads
Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian

Your old roof is rich in oil. But until recently, when it came time for a new one, those drab asphalt shingles went to the landfill because there wasn't a big market for recycling them. And what a waste. The average "reroof" involves removing roughly 3 tons of roofing material. Each ton of shingles contains the equivalent of one barrel of oil that can be reclaimed as asphalt, according to industry estimates.

Now there's an easy, effective way to recycle those shingles. At the newly opened Northwest Shingle Recyclers, 6110 S.E. 111th Ave., it can actually be cheaper to recycle the shingles than to send them to a landfill. It costs $65 a ton to dump them at Northwest Shingle and approximately $85 at a Metro transfer station. The recycler can charge less because there's money to be made reselling them for asphalt — $10 to $30 a ton. Northwest Shingle says it's just months away from opening another facility in Tigard. Talk about win-win. Shingle recycling is taking off because the state has approved recycled asphalt in its road mix.

On a small scale, Greenway Recycling in Portland has recycled shingles and other items for a few years. But this steps it up to another level. Since it opened in November, Northwest Shingle Recyclers has salvaged about 3,500 tons with plans to collect 10,000 to 20,000 tons in its first year. And Northwest is only about shingles, which it collects and converts into usable material. Read more...

Legacy Film Festival on Aging
The Legacy Film Festival on Aging showcases the best films from around the world that celebrate older adulthood and deal with the challenges & triumphs of aging. Benjamin Franklin once noted: "All would live long, none would be old." We want to help change that concept to an exploration of how to grow older meaningfully, not fearfully.

Legacy Film Festival on Aging's mission: Presenting an annual film festival in the Bay Area with films that inspire, educate and entertain intergenerational audiences about the issues surrounding aging. The global population of older adults is expanding rapidly. Thanks to health care innovations and the burgeoning baby boomer generation, there are currently 95 million people in the U.S. over the age of fifty, with 40 million of them over the age of 65. The new realities of aging are creating fresh views of later life that will challenge many aspects of our society, both policy-wise and personally.

Here is one film, Leslie Day, City Naturalist, directed by Tina Flemmerer that nature lovers might want to see. The film is about a woman who lives on a houseboat in New York City becomes excited by the natural world around her, and changes her life in important ways.

Another film, "Old People Driving" makes one think about the policies we have in place for sustainable communities. The director Shaleece Haas asks: "Can a person be simply too old to drive?" The film chronicles the adventures of Milton (age 96) and Herbert (age 99) as they confront a grim milestone: the end of their driving years. Crucial issues of safety and independence come to the forefront.

Susan Polis Schutz directed a film that examines the lives of persons "Over 90 & Loving It." Is it 'good genes,' exercise and nutrition, caring for others, or just good luck that makes the subjects of this film so long-lived and passionate about life? The filmmaker interviews engaging characters living life to the fullest. Both their philosophies and actions should inspire intergenerational audiences to pick up the pace.

The Legacy Film Festival on Aging will be held May 13-15, 2011 in San Francisco. Read more...

Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults with Arthritis—United States, 2003-2009 Weekly—April 29, 2011 / 60(16);509-513
≥20 years are obese, and 50 million adults have arthritis. Medical costs are estimated at $147 billion for obesity and $128 billion for arthritis each year. Obesity is common among persons with arthritis and is a modifiable risk factor associated with progression of arthritis, activity limitation, disability, reduced quality-of-life, total joint replacement, and poor clinical outcomes after joint replacement.

To assess obesity prevalence among adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis, CDC analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for the period 2003—2009. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which determined that, among adults with arthritis, 1) obesity prevalence, on average, was 54% higher, compared with adults without arthritis, 2) obesity prevalence varied widely by state (2009 range: 26.9% in Colorado to 43.5% in Louisiana), 3) obesity prevalence increased significantly from 2003 to 2009 in 14 states and Puerto Rico and decreased in the District of Columbia (DC), and 4) the number of U.S. states with age-adjusted obesity prevalence ≥ 30.0% increased from 38 (including DC) in 2003 to 48 in 2009. Through efforts to prevent, screen, and treat obesity in adults, clinicians and public health practitioners can collaborate to reduce the impact of obesity on U.S. adults with arthritis. Read more...

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Announcements: National Arthritis Awareness Month — May 2011 Weekly — April 29, 2011 / 60(16);517

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis affects 50 million U.S. adults (most of whom are aged <65 years), costs $128 billion per year,, and continues to be the most common cause of disability in the United States. By 2030, an estimated 67 million adults (one in four) are expected to be affected by arthritis.

This year's theme, "Take Action," is aimed at raising public awareness of underused self-management interventions that can improve arthritis symptoms and quality of life. Physical activity (e.g., walking, biking, or swimming) for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, reduces joint pain and stiffness in 4–6 weeks and can be done in increments of as little as 10 minutes at a time. Self-management education helps persons gain control of arthritis by learning techniques to reduce pain and activity limitations. Persons who are overweight or obese can reduce symptoms and slow arthritis progression by losing weight. For those with other chronic diseases who also have arthritis (e.g., half of adults with diabetes or heart disease have arthritis), these arthritis interventions might help in managing those other chronic diseases.

Information about these interventions is available. For more information, read more... Additional information is available from the Arthritis Foundation and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

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IV. Building Healthy Communities - Sustainable Communities

Will your Community Apply to be Recognized this Year?
The Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging awards recognizes communities that have excelled in strategies, planning and programs that support active aging and smart growth. The Achievement Award, the top honor, is awarded to communities for overall excellence in building healthy communities for active aging. The Commitment Award recognizes communities that have developed and begun to initiate a specific plan to implement smart growth and active aging principles.

Communities self nominate for the award. A panel of judges selects the winners each year. Applications for 5th annual Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging the 2011 are due July 11, 2011. For more information, read more...

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V. Pharmaceuticals in the Environment

Frequent Questions for Pharmaceutical Collection Events

A second National Take-Back Day held on April 30, 2011, was sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in coordination with state and local law enforcement agencies. This nationwide event gave the public an opportunity to safely dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceuticals found in their homes. Collection sites were located throughout the country. Other organizations also sponsor pharmaceutical take back events and municipalities may accept pharmaceuticals as part of their household hazardous waste collection efforts.

Check out EPA's website with answers to the following questions about disposal of unused medications.

Can hospitals, pharmacies, or any other business generating pharmaceutical waste use take-back programs to dispose of expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceuticals?
How will the pharmaceuticals collected during these events be disposed of?
But aren't some pharmaceutical wastes hazardous waste?
Why doesn't EPA require that collected household hazardous pharmaceutical wastes be disposed of as hazardous waste?
EPA encourages recycling, so can I donate my unused medications to charity? Can I return them to a pharmacy or my doctor's office?
I am unable to participate in the National Take-Back Day event, and there are no other take-back events in my area. How should I dispose of my pharmaceuticals?

For more information, read more...

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VI. Intergenerational Activities

2011 Rachel Carson Poetry, Essay, Photography and Dance Contest

Teams will share through one of these distinct mediums their own interactions and reflections on the wonders of nature. Mixed media entries are also welcome, such as a photo accompanied with a poem or essay. Dance video entries can be of performers or capture movements and visible changes in nature from dawn to dusk.

The contest is sponsored by the U.S. EPA; the National Center for Creative Aging; Creative the Dance Exchange; the Rachel Carson Council, Inc; and Generations United. For more about the contest and to see previous winners please read more...

This year, we invite entries in Spanish. Please see:
Flyer (PDF) (1 pg, 195K About PDF)
Contest Entry Form (PDF) (2 pp, 233K About PDF)

The deadline for entries is Friday, June 10, 2011.

In Her Own Words
Thoughts on Wisconsin, conservation, and Aldo Leopold
by Kathy Miner, UW Arboretum naturalist

I am thinking about Aldo Leopold today, perhaps because I work at the UW Arboretum, where we walk around in his legacy on a daily basis and where his ethic of land stewardship forms the foundation of our practice and our teaching.

The Arboretum is the homeplace of the science of restoration ecology, largely because at its dedication in June of 1934, Leopold called for rebuilding "a sample of original Wisconsin" - "what [Dane County] looked like before we took it away from the Indians".

We bring Leopold's ideas to a varied audience. Whether it is a private tour for preschoolers; the regular free public hike held every Sunday; or a narrated van tour for one of our local retirement homes, we always talk about humans' relationship to the land and our responsibilities as "plain citizens" (not conquerors) of the biotic community.

Ecological restoration - as distinct from preservation - takes that relationship one important step further. Restorationists are actively engaged in "putting nature back together" - trying to reassemble as many as possible of the critical parts of an ecosystem, in the hope that the system will then be able to perpetuate itself.

There is a new documentary movie about Leopold — titled Green Fire in a reference to one his most popular essays, "Thinking Like a Mountain." I would encourage all who are interested in the future of our natural resources to find a way to see it and be re-inspired. In today's political climate, we need Leopold's ideas more than ever.

Note: The Arboretum's pine and boreal forests are representative of Wisconsin's northwoods. Civilian Conservation Corps crews planted most of the red and white pines in this 21-acre stand between 1933 and 1937, along with small numbers of red maple, white birch and some northern shrubs and ground layer plants of the northern Wisconsin pine forests. For more on the UW Arboretum, read more...

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VII. EPA Funding Opportunities

Environmental Justice Green Jobs Development Pilot
This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits applications for projects that promote Green Job Training and Green Job Placement in underserved populations. An "underserved population," for the purposes of this RFA, is a community, including minority, low-income, or indigenous populations or communities, that is disproportionately impacted by environmental harms and risks and has a local environmental and public health issue that is identified in the proposal. Projects must be performed in one of the following Region 6 states: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and/or Texas.
Deadline: May 10, 2011. Read more...

Request for Proposals to Develop Standards for Environmentally Preferable Electronic Products
EPA is seeking proposals from eligible organizations to assist with research, studies, training and technical assistance to develop two voluntary consensus standards as American National Standards for environmentally preferable electronic products using a standards process accredited by the American national Standards Institute.
Deadline: June 14, 2011. Read more...

Environmental Impact and Mitigation of Oil Spills
As part of the federal government's response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the U.S. EPA received a $2 million Congressional appropriation for a grant or grants for "a study on the potential human and environmental risks and impacts of the release of crude oil and the application of dispersants, surface washing agents, bioremediation agents, and other mitigation measures listed in the National Contingency Plan Product List."
Deadline: June 22, 2011. Read more...

Request for Proposals: 2011 Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal Grant Program for Tribes
EPA Region 10 anticipates awarding approximately five cooperative agreements to eligible applicants to design, manage, and implement Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal Programs. Applicants should address how its proposed project enhances human health and the environment and builds capacity for sustainable, long term household hazardous waste management. Final results and findings from each proposal must be presented in a transferable format for the benefit of tribal communities at large.
Deadline: July 17, 2011. Read more...

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VIII. Other Funding Opportunities

Functional Links between the Immune System, Brain Function and Behavior (R21)
The National Institute of Mental Health solicits research grant applications to study neuroimmune molecules and mechanisms involved in regulating normal and pathological functions of the central nervous system.
Deadline: May 16, 2011. Read more...

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Senior Fellows (Parent F33)
Deadline: See Application. Read more...

Role of Environmental Chemical Exposures in the Development of Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome (R01)
Closing: May 23, 2011. Read more...

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Deadline: June 1, 2011. Read more...

Public Prevention Health Fund: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Centers: Special Interest Project Competitive Supplements (SIPS)
Deadline: June 1, 2011. Read more...

National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program-Network Implementation
Deadline: June 3, 2011. Read more...

Grants to Enhance Older Adult Behavioral Health Services
Deadline: June 7, 2011. Read more...

Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program
Deadline: June 9, 2011. Read more...

Asthma Interventions in Public and Assisted Multifamily Housing
Deadline: June 9, 2011. Read more...

DOE: Clean Cities Community Readiness and Planning for Plug-In Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure
Deadline: June 13, 2011. Read more...

Lifespan Respite Care Program Competing Program Expansion Supplements
Deadline: June 15, 2011. Read more...

Strengthen and Improve the Nation's Environmental Public Health Capacity through National, Non-Profit, Professional Public Health Organizations to Incorporate Health in All Policies
Letters of intent deadline: May 17, 2011
Deadline: June 16, 2011. Read more...

HUD Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
Deadline: June 23, 2011. Read more...

Community Health Projects Related to Contamination at Land Reuse and Brownfield Sites
Deadline: June 27, 2011. Read more...

HUD - Lead Technical Studies
Deadline: June 30, 2011. Read more...

Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program
Deadline: July 1, 2011. Read more...

Using Systems Science Methodologies to Protect and Improve Population Health
NIH solicits applications to apply one or more system science methodologies to public health and health care system problems and contribute knowledge that will enhance effective decision making.
Deadline: September 7, 2011. Read more...

Translational Research at the Aging/Cancer Interface (TRACI) (R01)
The National Institute on Aging, encourages research grant applications from institutions/organizations that propose translational research in the overlapping areas of human aging and cancer.
Deadline: September 7, 2011. Read more...

CDC: Grants for Injury Control Research Centers
Letter of Intent Deadline: September 13, 2011
Application Deadline: October 28, 2011. Read more...

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IX. Other Fellowships and Opportunities

Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program
The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program is in its fourth year. The goal of the fellowship is to create a cadre of leaders across multiple disciplines and career stages to serve as change agents to improve the lives of older adults.

The program offers two different tracks:

Residential fellows work full-time in a nine-to-12-month placement (in the US Senate or House of Representatives, executive agencies, or 'think tank' organizations).
Non-residential fellows remain in their current positions while working on a specific policy project which may involve brief placement(s) throughout the year at relevant sites.

The application deadline is May 20, 2011. Read more...

Health Impact Project
The Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts, is accepting brief proposals through June 1, 2011 for grants to conduct health impact assessments (HIAs). The funding will enable awardees to develop an HIA, which is a study that can help policy makers and community members identify and address the potential, and often-overlooked, health implications of proposed policies and projects in a broad range of sectors, such as agriculture, energy, transportation and development.

The Health Impact Project will fund up to eight HIAs to identify how policy proposals will impact health at the local, tribal or state levels. Grants will range from $25,000 to $125,000 and will support government agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.

"Many of the most urgent medical problems facing the nation-such as diabetes, asthma, obesity and injuries-are shaped by conditions in the places where we live, work and play," said Aaron Wernham, M.D., director of the Health Impact Project. "By factoring health into new laws and projects, for instance the building of a major roadway, the planning of a city's growth or the development of a school curriculum, these grants will help policy makers capitalize on hidden opportunities to improve wellbeing, save on healthcare-related costs and use limited resources more wisely."
Deadline: June 1, 2011. Read more...

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X. 2011 Calendar of Events & Meetings

May 2011

May Older American's Month
http://olderamericansmonth.org/

Mental Health Awareness Month
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/may

Clean Air Month
http://www.causecast.org/news_items/8390-may-is-clean-air-month-note-breathing-is-bad-for-you

Lyme's Disease Awareness Month
http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/

American Geriatrics Society
May 11-14
Washington, DC
http://www.americangeriatrics.org/annual_meeting/

The Friesen Conference Secretariat: Growing Old in a Changing Climate:
Exploring the Interface Between Population Aging and Global Warming
May 25-26th, 2011
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
http://www.sfu.ca/fc2011

Environmental Design Research Association Annual meeting
May 25-28, 2011
Chicago, Ill
http://www.edra.org/

June 2011

Great Outdoors Month
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-great-outdoors-month

Congress for New Urbanisim
June 1-4, 2011
Madison, WI
http://www.cnu.org/congresses

River Rally Network: Call for Workshops River Rally 2011
June 3-6, 2011
Charleston, South Carolina
http://www.rivernetwork.org/rally/call-for-workshops

Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging & Technology
Toronto, Canada
June 5-8, 2011
https://www.confmanager.com/main.cfm?cid=1559&nid=13257

World Oceans Day
June 8, 2011
http://www.squidoo.com/world-oceans-day

CSTE Annual Conference
Pittsburgh, PA
June 12-16, 2011
http://www.cste.org/conference/CallForTopics/tabid/375/Default.aspx

National Environmental Health Association
Columbus, Ohio
June 18-20, 2011
http://neha2011aec.org/motivation_and_inspiration.html

APHA Midyear Meeting
Chicago, Illinois
June 23-25, 2011
http://www.apha.org/midyear

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July 2011

National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services (NANASP) Annual Conference
July 7-8, 2011
Washington, DC
www.nanasp.org

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) Annual Conference
July 16-20
Washington, DC
http://www.n4a.org/training-events/annual-conference/?fa=schedule-events

Generations United 16th International Conference
July 27-29, 2011
Washington, D.C.
http://www.gu.org/RESOURCES/Conference.aspx

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September 2011

International Conference on Age-Friendly Cities
September 28-30, 2011
Dublin, Ireland
http://afc-internationalconference.ie/

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XI. Call for Abstracts

International Federation on Ageing 11th Global Conference on Ageing
It's time to start thinking about the International Federation on Ageing's Global Conference on Ageing. It will be held Prague Czech Republic May 28- June 1, 2012.

Deadline: December, 2011. http://www.ifa2012.com/abstracts/call-for-abstracts

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Aging Initiative Home

U.S. EPA Aging Initiative List Serve May 2011

I. Announcements

II. News, Research, Reports and Presentations

III. New Resources and Opportunities

IV. Building Healthy Communities - Sustainable Communities

V. Pharmaceuticals in the Environment

VI. Intergenerational Activities

VII. EPA Funding Opportunities

VIII. Other Funding Opportunities

IX. Other Fellowships and Opportunities

X. 2011 Calendar of Events & Meetings

May 2011

June 2011

July 2011

September 2011

XI. Call for Abstracts

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