Aging Initiative

What is the National Recognition Program for Communities that Combine Smart Growth and Active Aging? The principal goal of the Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Award program is to raise awareness across the nation about healthy synergies that can be achieved by communities combining Smart Growth and Active Aging concepts.

Awards will be presented to communities that demonstrate the best and most inclusive overall approach to implementing smart growth and active aging at the neighborhood, tribe, municipality, county, and/or regional levels.

Two types of awards will be made—the Commitment Award and the Achievement Award. The Commitment Award recognizes communities that have developed and begun to initiate a specific plan to implement smart growth and active aging principles. The Achievement Award will be given for overall excellence in building healthy communities for active aging.

Who can apply for an award? Applicants must be public-sector entities in the United States and coordinate with their local Area Agency on Aging. Public-sector entities include all levels of elected governments, from city councils to state legislatures and their subdivisions such as planning departments and other executive branch divisions. Applications are due July 17, 2009. Application, award guidelines and entry rules can be found here.

Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging

Supporters of Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging

Learning Network for Active Aging | PDF Version (1 p, 131K, About PDF)

Committment and Achievement Awards for Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging

Ten Strategies for Active Aging (PDF) (18 p, 103K, About PDF)

BHCC Award Program

2007 Winners Building Healthy Communities

2008 Winners Building Healthy Communities

Applications are due July 17, 2009 for the 2009 awards.

The principal goal of the "Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging" program is to raise awareness across the nation about healthy synergies that can be achieved by communities combining Smart Growth and Active Aging concepts.