JOURNAL
A Public Health Perspective on Aging Well
As a Doctor of Public Health, I read an interesting article on strategies for healthy aging titled, “90 Might Be the New 40 - No tricks, no hacks—just tried-and-true advice you can begin using in your life today.”
The author offers some sensible tips on taking care of your physical and mental health as you get older. However, I wanted to provide additional commentary through the lens of public health. My goal is to promote healthy aging at the community and societal levels, not just the individual level.
A Helpful Guideline for the Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution Process
In December, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the Centers for Disease Control provided a vaccination implementation strategy that will roll out in phases or TIERs throughout the nation. The CDC recommends that in phase one, distribution is prioritized for healthcare personnel, long-term care facility residents, individuals with an underlying medical condition, including autoimmune conditions, and 70 or older individuals. These recommendations will proactively decrease the number of COVID-19 related deaths, preserve society's functioning, and reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is having on individuals already facing disparities. However, these are recommendations only and each state has its vaccination implementation strategy (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020).