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

National Rural Health Day Provides an Opportunity for Philanthropy to Engage and Support Underserved Communities

For anyone with an interest in rural health, clear your calendar on November 16th and help celebrate National Rural Health Day, a day to celebrate and lift up the work of doctors, nurses, clinics, hospitals, and other stakeholders working in our rural communities.

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Reports

Appalachia Funders Network: October 2023

Appalachia Funders Network shared the results from a recently completed asset scan of the six-state, 257-county region, noting opportunities for philanthropic investment. The goal of the asset scan was to create a data-informed framework for funders that would guide targeted investments in Central Appalachia.

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Grantmakers In Aging and Grantmakers In Health Announce Partnership to Support the 2024 Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act

Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) and Grantmakers In Health (GIH) are pleased to announce a new collaboration aimed at mobilizing funders in support of the 2024 reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA).

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Reports

The SCAN Foundation: September 2023

The SCAN Foundation published a report analyzing 2014-2020 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data. The analysis found racial inequities in telehealth, access to care, and health status during the first year of the pandemic. In 2020, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults over 50 experienced worse self-reported health status, used less telehealth, delayed care more, and were less likely to have their care preferences considered compared to their white counterparts.

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2023 Rural Health Road Trip—Collaboration in Big Sky Country

It is hard to believe we are approaching the end of summer. It has been a bit of a blur, going from one conference to the next, and planning for fall meetings. For the second year since joining GIH, I was able to participate in our rural health road trip, an annual tradition started by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy and National Rural Health Association in 2014.

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Thirty-Three Years Later: Oral Health Care Still Not Accessible for Individuals with Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted on July 26, 1990, stands as one of the most significant civil rights laws in U.S. history. Designed to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for Americans with disabilities, the ADA has had a profound impact on advancing health equity in various domains, including oral health. The ADA has been a transformative force in advancing health equity for Americans with disabilities by championing their rights to accessible health care services. Under Title II of the ADA, state and local governments, including public healthcare institutions, are mandated to offer equal access and reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. This ensures that medical facilities, including dental offices, are equipped to cater to diverse patient needs, fostering an environment where disabled individuals can receive oral health services with dignity and equality

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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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