Camber, Elizabeth J.
(2021)
An Evaluation of Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh.
Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.
Abstract
The socioecological environment in which people older people live dramatically affects their well-being and ability to age healthfully in their communities. Barriers experienced by many older people include transportation access problems, lack of safe pedestrian routes and recreational facilities, insufficient affordable housing, difficulties with retaining or retiring from employment, social isolation and exclusion, and inadequate health services, social support, and home-based care. These barriers lead to poor health outcomes such as decreased physical activity, ineffectively treated chronic illnesses, malnutrition, falls, and increased hospitalization and use of emergency health services. Intersectionally marginalized older people are particularly vulnerable to such health risks and harms.
Communities can make coordinated efforts to assess and improve the age-inclusiveness of the conditions in which older people live, which can improve their health outcomes. Evaluating the processes and outcomes of such efforts is critical to ensuring that projects are successful, sustainable, and equitable in their pursuit of their public health goals. In Allegheny County, Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh (AFGP) is a coalition of organizations working to improve the “livability” of the region for older people, guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and AARP Age-Friendly Communities Initiatives. AFGP’s objectives and activities focus on addressing the systemic health barriers experienced by older people.
A student and faculty member evaluated AFGP’s third implementation year and first five years overall. The evaluation found that AFGP facilitated relationships between organizations with complementary missions. The organization grew, obtained increased funding, and reported activities and progress corresponding to most of their Action Item objectives. The evaluators supported many of AFGP’s plans, including their plans to proceed with repetition of the AARP Livable Communities survey, related regional outreach, and focusing on disaster preparedness. The evaluation also made recommendations related to organizational process and improvement of diversity, equity, and inclusion related to race and disability.
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Details
| Item Type: |
Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper
(Master Essay)
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| Contributors: |
| Contribution | Contributors Name | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Committee Chair | Felter, Elizabeth M. | emfelter@pitt.edu | emfelter | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Grieve, Victoria L. B. | victoria.grieve@pitt.edu | victoria.grieve | UNSPECIFIED |
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| Date: |
31 August 2021 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Submission Date: |
13 August 2021 |
| Access Restriction: |
2 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 2 years. |
| Number of Pages: |
144 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master Essay |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
older adults aging disability accessibility equity inclusion ageism infrastructure livability livable city community support access evaluation |
| Date Deposited: |
31 Aug 2021 15:20 |
| Last Modified: |
31 Aug 2023 05:15 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/41672 |
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