Lang Jason E, Anderson Lynda, LoGerfo James, Sharkey Joseph, Belansky Elaine, Bryant Lucinda, Prohaska Tom, Altpeter Mary, Marshall Victor, Satariano William, Ivey Susan, Bayles Constance, Pluto Delores, Wilcox Sara, Goins R Turner, Byrd Robert C
Health Care and Aging Studies Branch, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
Prev Chronic Dis. 2006 Jan;3(1):A17. Epub 2005 Dec 15.
The Prevention Research Centers Healthy Aging Research Network (PRC-HAN), funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Healthy Aging program, was created in 2001 to help develop partnerships and create a research agenda that promotes healthy aging. The nine universities that participate in the network use their expertise in aging research to collaborate with their communities and other partners to develop and implement health promotion interventions for older adults at the individual, organizational, environmental, and policy levels.
The population of older adults in the United States is growing rapidly; approximately 20% of Americans will be aged 65 years or older by 2030. The health and economic impact of an aging society compel the CDC and the public health community to place increased emphasis on preventing unnecessary disease, disability, and injury among older Americans.
The PRC-HAN has a broad research agenda that addresses health-promoting skills and behaviors, disease and syndrome topics, and knowledge domains. The network chose physical activity for older adults as its initial focus for research and has initiated two networkwide projects: a comprehensive, multisite survey that collected information on the capacity, content, and accessibility of physical activity programs for older adults and a peer-reviewed publication that describes the role of public health in promoting physical activity among older adults. In addition to participating in the core research area, each network member works independently with its community committee on PRC-HAN activities.
As a result, the network is 1) expanding prevention research for older adults and their communities; 2) promoting the translation and dissemination of findings to key stakeholders; 3) strengthening PRC-HAN capacity through partnerships and expanded funding; and 4) stimulating the adoption of policies and programs by engaging policymakers, planners, and practitioners. In 2003, the PRC-HAN initiated an internal evaluation to better define the network's contributions to healthy aging, formalize internal processes, and better equip itself to serve as a model for other PRC thematic networks. The PRC-HAN is conducting a pilot evaluation for eventual inclusion in the PRC national evaluation.
The PRC-HAN has established itself as an effective research network to promote healthy aging. It has developed trust and mutual respect among participants, forged strong ties to local communities, and shown the ability to combine its expertise in healthy aging with that of partners in national, state, and local organizations.
预防研究中心健康老龄化研究网络（PRC - HAN）由疾病控制与预防中心（CDC）的健康老龄化项目资助，于2001年成立，旨在帮助建立合作伙伴关系并制定促进健康老龄化的研究议程。参与该网络的九所大学利用其在老龄化研究方面的专业知识，与社区及其他合作伙伴合作，在个人、组织、环境和政策层面为老年人制定并实施健康促进干预措施。
美国老年人口正在迅速增长；到2030年，约20%的美国人将年满65岁及以上。老龄化社会对健康和经济的影响促使疾病预防控制中心和公共卫生界更加重视预防美国老年人不必要的疾病、残疾和伤害。
PRC - HAN有一个广泛的研究议程，涉及促进健康的技能和行为、疾病与综合征主题以及知识领域。该网络选择老年人身体活动作为其最初的研究重点，并启动了两个全网络项目：一项全面的多地点调查，收集有关老年人身体活动项目的能力、内容和可及性的信息；以及一份经过同行评审的出版物，描述公共卫生在促进老年人身体活动中的作用。除了参与核心研究领域外，每个网络成员还与其社区委员会就PRC - HAN活动独立开展工作。
因此，该网络正在：1）扩大针对老年人及其社区的预防研究；2）促进将研究结果转化并传播给关键利益相关者；3）通过合作伙伴关系和扩大资金来加强PRC - HAN的能力；4）通过与政策制定者、规划者和从业者合作，推动政策和项目的采用。2003年，PRC - HAN启动了一项内部评估，以更好地界定该网络对健康老龄化的贡献，使内部流程正规化，并更好地使自身成为其他PRC主题网络的典范。PRC - HAN正在进行一项试点评估，最终将纳入PRC国家评估。
PRC - HAN已成为促进健康老龄化的有效研究网络。它在参与者之间建立了信任和相互尊重，与当地社区建立了牢固的联系，并展示了将其在健康老龄化方面的专业知识与国家、州和地方组织的合作伙伴的专业知识相结合的能力。
