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

Driving Change through Public-Private Collaboration at Age + Action 2024

On May 7, 2024, Grantmakers In Health (GIH) and Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) cohosted a funders-only meeting at the National Council on Aging’s Age + Action 2024 conference. The session, “Driving Change through Public-Private Collaboration,” focused on bridging connections between the public and private sectors to improve the health and well-being of older adults in…

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Reports

Missouri Foundation for Health: May 2024

The Missouri Foundation for Health recently released a series of publications based on the findings of its Missouri Firearms Survey.

In July of 2020, the Foundation worked with partners to conduct a survey of over 1,000 Missouri adults to understand firearm-related beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors within the state with the intent of informing stakeholders interested in firearm injury and death prevention. Topics for the reports include firearm suicide beliefs and practices, perceptions and storage practices, background checks, and more.

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Cara V. James and Lindsay Goldman in The Well News: The Older Americans Act Is Not Keeping Pace With Today’s Older Adults

Grantmakers In Health President and CEO Cara V. James and Grantmakers In Aging Chief Executive Officer Lindsay Goldman cowrote a commentary on the need to renew and modernize the Older Americans Act for The Well News, which was published on Monday, May 13, 2024: “We have known for years that the Older Americans Act and…

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Addressing the Heart of Inequity: Tackling Cardiovascular Disease in Underserved Communities

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally and in the United States, with a disproportionate impact on underserved communities. To discuss the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation’s focused strategy on addressing these disparities and driving equitable access to cardiology care, Grantmaker In Health’s Miranda Wesley spoke with the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation’s Senior Program Director, Adrienne Gonzalez.

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Reports

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health: April 2024

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health released a report on oral health care among veterans, Oral Health Is Essential to Veteran Productivity and Well-Being, highlighting barriers veterans face when accessing dental care and the impact of dental disparities on their well-being.

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GIH and GIA response to Senate request for information

Grantmakers In Health and Grantmakers In Aging Release Policy Recommendations for Older Americans Act Renewal

On March 21, 2024, Grantmakers In Health (GIH) and Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) responded to a request for feedback about the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).

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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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