May 2012 Health Matters at Work Newsletter

Community Health Charities and several member charities – including the American Diabetes Association, Arthritis Foundation, Mental Health America and Research to Prevent Blindness – join the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in celebrating May as Older Americans Month. The older population, which is defined as persons 65 years or older, numbered 39.6 million in 2009 (the latest year for which data is available). This population represents 12.9 percent of the U.S. population, or about one in every eight Americans. By 2030, there will be about 72.1 million older persons, representing 19 percent of the population.

The National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF) established Employee Health & Fitness Day back in 1989. From 1989-2010, tens of thousands of employees engaged in National Employee Health & Fitness Day. However, it is clear that healthy behavior changes take time to develop into lifestyle habits. Recognizing the potential for making healthy habits a lifelong, worldwide goal, NAHF declared May as Employee Health & Fitness Month and added an international focus.

As people live longer and the population ages, there are many new issues to face. More than 77 million baby boomers find themselves “sandwiched” between caring for aging parents while raising their own kids, continuing to work and preparing for retirement. For the “Sandwich Generation,” understanding how to transition into this new role is key to managing this time in their lives.