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Texas Healthy Aging Research Network (TxHAN) Center
Director: Joseph R. Sharkey, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D.
Background
The Healthy Aging Research Network (HAN) was funded by CDC to develop a healthy aging research agenda for the CDC-PRC Network and to serve as a model theme network for the CDC-PRC program. The Texas Healthy Aging Research Network (TxHAN) Center (Sharkey, PI; Ory, Co-PI) was funded by CDC in 2004 as one of only eight HAN centers – University of Washington (Coordinating Center), University of California at Berkeley, University of Colorado at Denver, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of South Carolina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and West Virginia University.
Purpose
The TxHAN works with local, county, state and national partners to advance the translation of prevention research to community-level practice. The TxHAN will galvanize existing prevention activities in Texas, improving the health and functioning of older adults by providing a mechanism to identify, implement, and evaluate and translate best practices that can reach older adults in rural and urban areas and be sustainable within existing community structures and resources.
Current Status - Current activities of the TxHAN are as follows:
- Establishing network of community partners in BV COG Aging Advisory Group, Brazos Valley Aging Partnership (all seven counties), Academic Aging Partnership, and Region and State Aging Partnership
- Lead HAN efforts with establishment of Nutrition Interest Group to develop nutrition research agenda for HAN
- Agreement with National Council on Aging to beta test census of physical activity programs for older adults in Brazos Valley
- Drs. Sharkey and Ory serve as members of the Texas Team for Evidence-Based Disability and Disease Prevention for Elders, along with members from Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services and Area Agencies on Aging
- Dr. Sharkey serves as HAN representative on National Level Advisory Council for Meals on Wheels Association of America
- Proposal development
- Texas Cooperative Extension (Medication Management)
- Chanam Lee, College of Architecture (Built Environment and Obesity)
- Duke University (Local Food Environment and Trajectories of Health)
- Support two graduate students
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