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AoA NEWS
U.S. Administration on Aging
Department of Health and Human Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: AoA Press Office
(202) 357-3507
Monday, June 14, 2010
HHS Marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
HHS Administration on Aging Principal Deputy Cindy Padilla will participate in a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day commemoration as part of a joint recognition ceremony co-hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, in Washington, D.C. This event is the first public recognition of this day by the Federal government.
Padilla will be joined for this observance by Frances Ashe-Goins, acting director of the HHS Office of Women’s Health, who will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies, and Assistant Attorney General Tony West, from the Department of Justice Civil Division, along with key advocates for the prevention of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
WHO: Cindy Padilla principal deputy assistant secretary for aging, HHS
WHEN: Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EDT
WHERE: Great Hall, Humphrey Building, 200 Independence, Ave, Wash, DC
Background: June 15, 2010 is the fifth observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. In 2006, the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization hosted a global symposium at the U.N. to launch the first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The purpose of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
Estimates indicate that approximately 700,000 to 3.5 million older Americans are abused, neglect, or exploited each year. The Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010 contains the Elder Justice Act, which will help prevent and eliminate elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. Once implemented, the provisions of the Elder Justice Act will complement and enhance current elder abuse prevention activities within HHS and DOJ as well as in communities around the nation.
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| Last Modified: 6/15/2010 8:53:42 AM |
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