MPHA, in partnership with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) and AARP-MS, is engaged in initiatives across the state to support Mississippi becoming an age-friendly state. According to the MSDH, Mississippi’s older adult population is growing, and special health considerations come with this increase. Age-friendly services and age-friendly public systems are needed for the best health, dignity, and social connections of Mississippians as they grow older. MSDH has been recognized as an Age-Friendly Public Health System (AFPHS) by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH). Healthy aging is influenced by more than our genetics or access to health care. Non-medical factors influence the health of everyone, and they affect older adults even more. The conditions in which people grow, work, live and age shape their daily life. As a result, where we live and how influences our health as much as care, services, or personal characteristics.
With MSDH serving as the backbone organization, Mississippi has a number of partners who support the work of healthy aging in the state. This section of our website provides information about the national, state, and local activities that come together in support of an Age-Friendly Mississippi. We hope that you will find a place to plug in and join the work
The Latest Age-Friendly News and Events
Click any link below for more information:
Registration opens February 1, 2025, for the MS Healthy Aging Summit, with this year’s focus being on Aging in Rural Mississippi. Please see the summit flyer and preliminary program. Registration is free.
The JPHDS Releases Special Issue on Healthy Aging
Mississippi’s Second Annual Healthy Aging Summit May 2, 2024
The JPHDS Releases Final Call for Submissions on Healthy Aging Issue
State-level information
Mississippi State Department of Health Achieves Age-Friendly Public Health Systems Recognition
Age-Friendly Public Health: The Podcast
MSU joins Age-Friendly University Global Network
Member List – AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Healthy Aging Infographic and Data Profiles
Mississippi Access to Care Network
Healthy Aging Champions
A Healthy Aging Champion is a volunteer who learns about various healthy aging topics in MS and shares that information with their families, churches, and in their local communities. Healthy Aging Champions bring important and accurate information to local communities across Mississippi, and they also network with each other to share best practices. Training is provided to these volunteers on a regular basis. Healthy Aging Champions will also be recognized on the MPHA website; in various publications; and at various public health conferences.
If you wish to become a Healthy Aging Champion, you can do so by completing this form.
Healthy Aging Champions – Volunteer Interest Form
National-level information
National Rural Age-Friendly Resources
TFAH States in Detail Map on Critical Health Indicators
National Center to Reframe Aging
National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
For more information on any of these topics, please contact:
Kina White, kina.white@msdh.ms.gov
Melinda Bertucci, mbertucci@aarp.org
Kaye Bender, execdir@mspha.org