Evidence-based Disease and Disability Prevention Program (EBDDP)
The Purpose of the Program
Older Americans are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases and conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease, as well as by disabilities that result from injuries such as falls. More than one-third of adults aged 65 or older fall each year. Twenty-one percent of the population aged 60 and older – 10.3 million people – have diabetes. Seven of every 10 Americans who die each year, or more than 1.7 million people, die of a chronic disease.
EBDDP programs have been proven to empower older adults to take control of their health. In theses programs, seniors learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle through increased self-efficacy and self-management behaviors. These classes are provided to older adults:
- In their own communities
- In familiar non-clinical settings, such as community centers
- In peer learning groups which provide support, socialization and reinforcement of positive health behavior changes
One example of such a program is The Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-Management Program that was developed with funding from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The Stanford program emphasizes the patients’ role in managing their illnesses and building their self-confidence so they can be successful in adopting healthy behaviors. The program consists of workshops conducted once a week for two and a half hours over six weeks in community-based settings such as senior centers, congregate meal programs, faith-based organizations, libraries, YMCAs, YWCAs, and senior housing programs. People with different chronic health conditions attend together, and the workshops are facilitated by trained and certified leaders, at least one of whom has a chronic illness.
Topics covered include:
- Techniques for dealing with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation;
- Exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance;
- Nutrition;
- Appropriate use of medications, and
- Communicating effectively with health professionals.
The program has been shown to be effective in helping people with chronic conditions change their behaviors, improve their health status, and reduce their use of hospital services.
During 2006-2007, AoA initiated its state-based EBDDP program for seniors, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and a variety of private foundations. Through public and private partnerships, 27 states have provided evidence-based programs to older adults in their communities. AoA requires each participating state to implement the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-management Program (CDSMP), but also gives each state the option to select another program which helps reduce chronic disease in its senior population. These programs may include:
- Physical Activity Programs, such as Enhance Wellness, Tai Chi or Healthy Moves, which provide seniors with low-impact aerobic exercise, minimal strength training and stretching.
- Falls Programs, such as Matter of Balance and Stepping On, that assist seniors with strengthening muscles and behavior changes to prevent their fear of falling
- Nutrition Programs, such as Healthy Eating, which teaches older adults the value of choosing and eating healthy foods, and maintaining an active lifestyle.
- Depression and/or Substance Abuse Programs, such as PEARLS and Healthy IDEAS, which teach older adults how to manage their mild to moderate depression.
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Data Highlighting Extensive Services Provided To Seniors
Since the program began in 2003, about 44,000 seniors have received services from AoA’s Evidence-Based Disease and Disability Prevention program. The number of persons served increases yearly and in the year ending July 2009, approximately 24,000 seniors were served by these programs.
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Funding History
In 2003, AoA began funding pilot programs to test the translation of the Evidence-Based Disease and Disability Prevention programs in the Aging Services Network’s community-based settings. Based on the positive results from these pilot programs, AoA increased its Federal support of the Evidence Based and Disease and Disability Prevention Program in 2006 by awarding 16 states a total of $4,542,300 to support collaborations between the aging and public health networks at the state and local level to implement evidence-based prevention programs for seniors. In 2007, eight more states received $5,841,680, and AoA continued to support these grants through competitive supplements of $5,091,680 in 2008 and $5,091,680 in 2009.
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Resources and Useful Links
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State Profiles
2006 Grantee
2007 Grantee
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| Last Modified: 2/26/2010 1:30:03 PM |
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