GIH Advocacy for the Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA)

The OAA provides critical services that address the social drivers of health for older adults. Grantmakers In Health (GIH) and Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) are partnering to engage funders in advancing the reauthorization of this important piece of legislation.

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Latest Resources

SASH: Health Equity Begins at Home

A decade ago, primary care practices and housing non-profits in Vermont partnered to reduce chronic conditions among older adults and younger adults with a disability in collaboration with the state’s Blueprint for Health. Today, as an extender of the Blueprint, Support and Services at Home (SASH), which supports healthy aging in place, is helping to advance health equity in the state.

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Reports

RRF Foundation: January 2023

The RRF Foundation for Aging released a call to action to address Older Adult Debt Burden. In The Call to Action, RRF Foundation for Aging illuminates a problem hidden for too long and calls on advocates, researchers, service providers, funders, and others to get involved with addressing this urgent issue.

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Cara V. James in Politico: Why So Many Black People Distrust the Health Care System 

Grantmakers In Health (GIH) President and CEO Cara V. James was quoted in a December 18, 2022 Politico Magazine article about the Black community’s distrust of the health care system.

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Cara V. James Interviewed on Rural Matters Podcast: Fostering Healthier Rural Communities

Cara V. James was interviewed by Michael Levin-Epstein on the November 15, 2022 episode of the Rural Matters podcast about GIH’s work to support rural populations, combatting racial and socioeconomic disparities in rural health, philanthropy’s role in closing workforce gaps in rural communities, and more.

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RRF Foundation for Aging Releases Call to Action to Address Older Adult Debt Burden

In a new Call to Action, RRF Foundation for Aging illuminates a problem hidden for too long – older adult debt – and calls on advocates, researchers, service providers, funders and others to get involved with addressing this urgent issue.

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Cara V. James Interviewed on TED Health Podcast: Advancing Public Health

Grantmakers In Health President and CEO Cara V. James was interviewed by Shoshana Ungerleider on the September 21, 2022 episode of the TED Health podcast about challenges faced by the U.S. public health system.

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Publications and Reports

2024 Survey Summary: Firearm Violence Prevention Strategies

GIH conducted a survey in September 2024 about funder engagement in firearm violence prevention. This fact sheet summarizes the survey results with a total sample of 81 health funders. This public health crisis and social justice issue is preventable, and health funders have an important role to play in advancing firearm violence prevention efforts.

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Progress Report: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Campaign

In October 2023, Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) and Grantmakers In Health (GIH) launched an 18-month initiative to engage funders in the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA). This report highlights key activities and takeaways and previews future programming.

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Fact Sheet: Five Ways Congress Can Strengthen the Older Americans Act, and What Philanthropy Can Do

First signed into law in 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) provides critical services that address the social drivers of health for older adults such as nutrition, transportation, senior centers, elder rights protections, caregiver support, and health promotion. A popular, bipartisan, and effective law, the OAA is set to expire on September 30, 2024, if it is not reauthorized. Foundations play a critical role at every stage of the OAA, from the time Congress begins reauthorizing the law, to the appropriation of funding, to the implementation of OAA programs. Now is the time to act.

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