NEW YORK CITY,Jan. 22- The New York Academy of Medicine was one of two explicitly named community organizations mentioned in Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s 48-minute State of the City address when he announced a plan to make New York a better place to age.

The city project builds upon the Academy’s Age-Friendly NYC initiative, launched by City Council speaker Christine Quinn last July. Guided by a protocol developed by the World Health Organization, the initiative will assess the city’s age-friendliness in eight key areas from housing to transportation. In the spring a blueprint for improvement will be presented as recommendations for policy makers.

“We are thrilled to be a partner in this collaborative initiative by the Mayor and City Council to make New York City the best place to age,” said Dr. Jo Ivey Boufford, President of The New York Academy of Medicine. “This initiative offers an exciting opportunity for the city to join a network of other global cities working to make themselves age-friendly by addressing quality of life issues for older adults and subsequently, for residents of all ages.”

To take forward this initiative, the Academy is hosting a series of six roundtable discussions on Business, Transportation and Outdoor Space, Housing Development, Tenant Rights, Civic Engagement and Health. The Academy and City Council will conduct at least one Community Forum in each borough. In addition, the Academy will research existing literature and studies, and conduct focus groups to incorporate the views and concerns of underrepresented seniors.

The New York Academy of Medicine is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit institution whose mission is to enhance the health of the public. Its research, education, community engagement, and evidence-based advocacy seek to improve the health of people living in cities, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. The impact of these initiatives reaches into neighborhoods in New York City, across the country, and around the world. It works with community based organizations, academic institutions, corporations, the media, and government to catalyze and contribute to changes that promote health.

For more information please contact Malini Doddamani at mdoddamani@nyam.org or call 212 822-7285

Posted on 01/22/2008

Contact:
Malini Doddamani
Director of Communications
mdoddamani@nyam.org
212.822.7285