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  4. Health Promotion

Health Promotion

The Purpose of the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III-D Program (“Health Promotion”)

It is understood that disease prevention and health promotion programs reduce the need for more costly medical interventions. Title III-D of the OAA was established in 1987 to provide formula grants to State Units on Aging to support healthy lifestyles and promote healthy behaviors amongst older adults (age 60 and older). Priority is given to serving older adults living in medically underserved areas of the state and those who are of greatest economic need

Authorizing Legislation: Section 361 of the OAA of 1965, as amended.

Background on Definition of Evidence-Based Programs

States that receive OAA funds under Title III are required to spend those funds on evidence-based programs that have been proven to improve health and well-being and reduce disease and injury. Since 2003, the aging services network has been steadily moving towards wider implementation of disease prevention and health promotion programs that are based on scientific evidence and demonstrated to improve the health of older adults. The FY 2012 Congressional appropriations law included, for the first time, an evidence-based requirement related to Title III-D funds. In response to the new requirement, ACL developed an evidence-based definition to assist states in developing their own Title III-D guidance.

How to Determine If a Program Meets the OAA Title III-D Evidence-Based Requirements

There are two ways to assess whether Title III-D funds can be spent on a particular program (and as always, State Units on Aging may have additional state-specific Title III-D requirements):

  1. The program meets the requirements for ACL's Evidence-Based Definition (the ACL Definition is below).
  2. The program is considered to be an "evidence-based program" by any operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is shown to be effective and appropriate for older adults.

ACL Definition of Evidence-Based Programs

  • Demonstrated through evaluation to be effective for improving the health and well-being or reducing disease, disability and/or injury among older adults; and
  • Proven effective with older adult population, using Experimental or Quasi-Experimental Design;* and
  • Research results published in a peer-review journal; and
  • Fully translated** in one or more community site(s); and
  • Includes developed dissemination products that are available to the public.

*Experimental designs use random assignment and a control group. Quasi-experimental designs do not use random assignment.

**For purposes of the Title III-D definitions, being “fully translated in one or more community sites” means that the evidence-based program in question has been carried out at the community level (with fidelity to the published research) at least once before. Sites should only consider programs that have been shown to be effective within a real-world community setting. 

November 2024 Update: Evidence-Based Program Review Process

The Evidence-Based Program (EBP) Review Process reopens on January 6, 2025. In 2022, ACL paused its facilitation to explore potential updates and learn more about review efforts employed across other federal offices and agencies.

The relaunch of the process takes into consideration the recommendations from the Analysis of Evidence-Based Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programs Review Process. ACL’s EBP Review Process will be led by the National Council on Aging (NCOA). 

The EBP Review Process aims to identify new community programs that meet the criteria established by ACL (listed above) for evidence-based programs funded through the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III-D and other discretionary funding. These evidence-based programs are essential tools for helping older adults maintain their independence in the community.

Information about the EBP Review Process, including an informational webinar in December 2024 and key 2025 dates, can be found on NCOA’s website: Apply to Become an Evidence-Based Program. 

For questions about ACL evidence-based criteria and funding, contact Patty Keane, ACL’s National Nutritionist. For questions about the EBP Review Process, contact Kathleen Zuke, Director of NCOA.

 

Resources

State Unit on Aging Learning Community

A learning community is available through the Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Resource Center for State Unit on Aging (SUA) staff a variety of resources, such as OAA Title III-D 101, frequently asked questions, SUA contact lists, etc.

SUA staff who would like to access the learning community should contact Patty Keane (patricia.keane@acl.hhs.gov).

Pre-Approved Evidence-Based Programs

The National Council on Aging and ACL’s Office of Performance and Evaluation maintain lists of programs that meet ACL’s Title IIID definition of evidence-based:

- National Council on Aging Listing
- Aging and Disability Evidence-Based Program Listing

These lists are not exhaustive and state units on aging have flexibility to implement programs that are not on these lists using Title IIID funds, provided they meet ACL's Title IIID evidence-based requirements.

Understanding and Finding Evidence-Based Programs


Last modified on 11/21/2024


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