MPHA, in partnership with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) and AARP-MS, is engaged in initiatives across the state to support Mississippi becoming an age-friendly state. According to the MSDH, Mississippi’s older adult population is growing, and special health considerations come with this increase. Age-friendly services and age-friendly public systems are needed for the best health, dignity, and social connections of Mississippians as they grow older.
MSDH has been recognized as an Age-Friendly Public Health System (AFPHS) by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH). Healthy aging is influenced by more than our genetics or access to health care. Non-medical factors influence the health of everyone, and they affect older adults even more. The conditions in which people grow, work, live, and age shape Mississippians daily lives. As a result, where we live and how we live influence our health as much as care, services, or personal characteristics.
With MSDH serving as the backbone organization, Mississippi has a number of partners who support the work of healthy aging in the state. This section of our website provides information about the national, state, and local activities that come together in support of an Age-Friendly Mississippi. We hope that you will find a place to plug in and join the work.
Journal Articles and Research
The Journal of Public Health in the Deep South’s Releases Special Issue on Healthy Aging
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice – How Mississippi Is Changing Public Health
Age Friendly Tool Kits and Resources
Member List – AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Age-Friendly Public Health System for Mississippi Work Plan
Age-Friendly Mississippi Ecosystem Toolkit and Resources
Gulf Coast Housing Partnership – The Pearl: 55+ year old Housing
Mississippi Access to Care Network
Mississippi Healthy Aging Data Profiles and Statewide Infographic
MDHS Division of Aging and Adult Services
Central Mississippi Planning and Development District
North Center Planning and Development District
Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District
State-level information
Mississippi State Department of Health Achieves Age-Friendly Public Health Systems Recognition
Age-Friendly Public Health: The Podcast
MSU joins Age-Friendly University Global Network
University of Mississippi joins Age-Friendly University Global Network
Delta Health Alliance – Aging with Confidence
Healthy Aging Champions
A Healthy Aging Champion is a volunteer who learns about various healthy aging topics in MS and shares that information with their families, churches, and in their local communities. Healthy Aging Champions bring important and accurate information to local communities across Mississippi. They also network with each other to share best practices. Training is provided to these volunteers on a regular basis. Healthy Aging Champions will also be recognized on the MPHA website; in various publications; and at various public health conferences.
If you wish to become a Healthy Aging Champion, you can do so by completing the form found here:
Healthy Aging Champions – Volunteer Interest Form or by scanning the QR code below.
National-level information
Age-Friendly Public Health Systems – Collaboration Across the Age-Friendly Ecosystem
National Rural Age-Friendly Resources
TFAH States in Detail Map on Critical Health Indicators
National Center to Reframe Aging – Countering Ageism By Changing How We Talk About Aging
Administration for Community Living – National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
For more information on any of these topics, please contact:
Paulita Edwards-Child, paulita.edwards1@msdh.ms.gov
Melinda Bertucci, mbertucci@aarp.org
Lydia West, execdir@mspha.org