Connecting the Dots: 

Utilizing Data to Build 

Strong Partnerships

Karon L. Phillips, Ph.D., MPH, CHES

May 12, 2023
Trust for America’s Health

Independent, non-partisan, public health and prevention focus

⮚ Advancing evidencebased policy and 

advocacy with an 

equity focus

⮚ Improving the health 

of every community

⮚ Making disease 

prevention a national 

priority
Public Health
Limited Public Health Focus on Older Adults 

▪ Locals/States – very few with specialized programs for older 

adults 

▪ CDC – no line item for overall healthy aging

▪ Healthy Brain Initiative is only unit with specialized 

funding

▪ Targeted efforts within certain disease specific work

▪ Vaccinations – COVID, seasonal flu, shingles

▪ Fall prevention

▪ Diabetes 

▪ ACL & state/local older adult agencies provide older adults 

services 
Age-Friendly Ecosystem
Advancing Health Equity
What is an ideal Age-Friendly Health Dept?

▪ Leadership and dedicated staffing 

▪ Dedicated funding for broad healthy aging programs

▪ State Health Improvement Plan prioritizes healthy aging 

▪ Formal collaboration required across all agencies

▪ Data dashboard includes older adults

▪ Emergency preparedness planning includes older adults
AFPHS Growth in States and Partnerships
Partnerships are Critical
Importance of Partnerships in Housing
Housing Disparities

• Greater proportion of 

racial/ethnic minorities 

experiencing economic, 

social and physical 

problems

• African American/Black 

represent 8.7% of 

population

• 14.3% of nursing home 

residents
Distribution of Older Adults Living in High-Poverty 

Neighborhoods
Aging in Place or Community

⮚More than 1 in 4 older adults lives alone

⮚Women 2x as likely as men

⮚Ability to live alone influenced by

⮚ Age

⮚ Gender 

⮚ Ethnicity

⮚ Socio-economic status

⮚ Social supports 

⮚ Overall health
Wiley H. Bates Heritage Park
Interest & Health 

Status Assessment
Highlighted Assessment Results

 Falls (~25%)

 Diabetes (over 55%)

 Support with ADLs and IADLs (over 50%)
Resulting Collaboration and Partnerships

 Programs and Referral Relationships at Wiley Bates 

with Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC):

• “Ask a Doc” – Quarterly

• Flu Shot Clinic – Annually

• Heart Healthy Valentine’s Day Party – Annually

• DARE to Care Stroke Screening Program – Annually

• Health Fair Partner/Vendor – Annually

• Clinic Hours at Bates with nurses – Monthly

• Falls Prevention Workshop in September during Falls Prevention 

Week
Community Building Model Results

 Resultsfrom Resident Services programs at Wiley Bates:

• Resident Services programs at Bates reached 98.7% of the

total resident population

• 84% of the residents at Bates have participated in The Bates

Produce Program which provides the residents with access to

fresh fruits and vegetables on a weekly or biweekly basis.

• 66% of the residents have participated in the Positive Food

Options Program which provides residents with weekly deliveries

of breads and bagels.

• 71% of the residents at Bates participate in weekly and

special occasion social and recreational activities.

• 61% of the Bates residents participate in regular Community

Meetings regarding upcoming events, programs and

opportunities.
Partnerships Needs

Coordinating Transportation 

to Events

Health Fairs

Grief Counseling/Support

Meal Distribution

Connections to Other 

Partners in the Community 
Data and Departments of Health
Florida Phase I: AFPHS Pilot
Mississippi Healthy Aging Data Report

 Strong partnership and collaboration with the 

University of Massachusetts Boston for 

development of healthy aging data reports

 Key impacts with a health equity lens:

• Advocacy

• Service Development

• Education

• Collaboration

 120+ indicators (CMS, BRFSS, ACS)

 Community profiles for 82 geographic units 

(counties)

 10-15 interactive web maps

 Technical documentation

 Summary report
WA State Local 

Health Jurisdictions
Older Adult Health: County Profiles

▪ Growth of older-adult 

population, including a 

focus on 85+

▪ Chronic conditions

▪ Adverse events targeted by 

public health efforts

▪ Emergency-room visits

▪ Falling and fall-related 

injuries

▪ Key subpopulations
Partnering to Develop County-Level Data Profiles
Enhancing the Built 

Environment 
Greendale, Wisconsin

• Collected data on the 

needs of older adults in 

their community

• Conducted a walking

audit

• Developed a greenspace 

improvement plan

• Applied for a received an 

AARP Challenge Grant
Updates to the Built 

Environment

WALKING MAPS WAYFINDER BENCHES
Impact & Implications
Strong Professional 

Practice Strategies 
Engagement Bridge
The Indigenous Evaluation Toolkit
Developing Lasting Relationships 

▪ Must spend time engaging with 

the community without an 

agenda first 

▪ Work with existing 

groups/ministries 

▪ Include the residents and 

community in the planning 

process
Important Considerations

▪ Respect the trust-building 

process

▪ Spend time with the 

community

▪ Consider the age ranges 

▪ 65 – 74, 75 – 84, 75+ 
Thank You!

Trust for America’s Health

www.afphs.org

www.tfah.org 

kphillips@tfah.org