Silver State Times

On Monday, September 16, 2024, the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) received Advanced Recognition as an Age-Friendly Public Health System (AFPHS) from the Trust for America’s Health and the John A. Hartford Foundation. Nevada joins three other states—California, Mississippi, and New York—that have also received this designation.

To receive Advanced Recognition, a health department must complete activities within each of the six Cs:

1. Creating and leading policy, systems, and environmental changes to improve older adult health and well-being.

2. Connecting and convening multisector stakeholders to address the health and social needs of older adults through collective impact approaches focused on the social determinants of health.

3. Coordinating existing supports and services to help older adults, families, and caregivers navigate and access services and supports.

4. Collecting, analyzing, and translating relevant data on older adults to identify community needs and inform intervention development.

5. Communicating important public health information to promote older adult health and well-being.

6. Complementing existing health-promoting programs to ensure they meet the needs of older adults.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Nevada is second only to Alaska in terms of percentage growth among residents aged 100 years or older between 2010 and 2020, with an increase of over 121%. For those aged 85 to 99 years, Nevada saw a 40.9% increase during the same period.

Becoming an AFPHS will better support all Nevadans throughout their lifespan with a focus on healthy aging. This aligns with DPBH's mission to “protect, promote, and improve the physical and behavioral health and safety of all people in Nevada equitably.”

September is also Healthy Aging Month. In alignment with AFPHS recognition, DPBH aims to promote resources for healthier aging among Nevadans.

These opportunities include:

The Nevada 5-2-1-0 Program that promotes clear guidance to improve health.