In the March/April issue of Active Aging Today, we cover several fascinating initiatives across the globe. What do you think about playgrounds designed for adults? In the Netherlands, these facilities are becoming part of the streetscape. Once considered funny or odd, specially designed playgrounds now compel formerly sedentary adults to get moving, says Marijke Hopman-Rock, PhD. The Netherlands has also birthed a successful fall prevention program called In Balance. Since debuting in 2000, In Balance has helped thousands of older adults get stronger, and studies have shown up to 61% reductions in falls. Ton Duijvestijn and Drs. Ger Kroes, who helped design the program, discuss the initiative’s evolution.
Also in this issue: How does the built environment contribute to a city’s health? In America’s largest metropolis, New York City, architects and urban planners are teaming up with public health officials to reshape public transportation, office buildings, and recreational areas to encourage more physical activity, and – they hope – eventually reduce epidemic levels of obesity and related diseases. Sharon Bermon offers an exciting snapshot of efforts thus far.
I’m particularly interested in active aging work in Japan. Japan has one of the highest national life expectancies in the world for both men and women, and it has been notably successful in improving the physical well-being of its population. In this issue, Mi-Ji Kim, PhD, and Kiyoji Tanaka, PhD, share how their research is helping elderly adults in day care live healthier and more independent lives.
If you’re not yet a subscriber of Active Aging Today, I’m pleased to tell you that you can try the journal for free, no strings attached; follow this link and use the promo code AACCtrial.
There’s much more to discover in the March/April issue, and as we plan future issues, we’d love to hear from you. We’re looking for successful programs and practices from around the world to showcase in the journal. We want to hear from professionals who develop activity programs, practitioners who conduct exercise programs, researchers who study the aging population, and other innovative professionals doing work that helps the world age actively. AAT is unique in our field because it combines multimedia elements and practical print information. We can enhance articles with audio and video, and we can provide information solely in video or audio formats. We can help people develop this content by offering editing of video and recording of any audio material.
Please contact me if you would like to create a feature with us or if you can recommend a researcher or practitioner who you think should be featured in AAT. I, along with the rest of the editorial office, would be delighted to work with you to develop an article, do an interview, record a lecture, or feature your exercise program in audio or video formats. To get in touch with me, e-mail aat@hkusa.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
