6 Ways to Promote Health for National Healthy Aging Month

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September is recognized as National Healthy Aging Month.

With this in mind, the National Eye Institute (NEI) has provided six important resources to spread awareness and educate the community about eye health and aging.

“Getting older doesn’t have to mean losing your vision. While some vision changes are a normal part of getting older, vision loss related to eye diseases and conditions can be prevented,” according to the National Eye Institute.

Let’s dive deeper into these six resources.

1. Browse and Share Articles and Fact Sheets on Eye Health and Aging

NEI’s National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) offers several articles and fact sheets related to eye diseases and conditions.

Topics include managing medications, vision changes, glaucoma, and more.

Through the search tool, those browsing resources can find information based on topics, material types, audience, and language, including Spanish.

“Search our library of hundreds of materials about eye diseases and conditions. They’re not copyrighted, so you can download, print, and distribute them freely,” according to the NEI.

2. Spread Awareness with Infocards and Infographics on Eye Health and Aging

Another great way to spread awareness is by sharing NEI’s infographics and infocards.

These printable resources can be shared online through social media platforms or hung in common and community areas for others to access.

“These are helpful for older adults, community leaders, and partner organizations,” according to the NEI.

3. View and Share Videos and Webinars on Eye Health and Aging

NEI also provides educational video, animation, and audio resources.

People of all ages can view and access these resources, which are available in English and Spanish.

Patient testimonials as well as past webinars are also available.

“Use our audiovisuals to help people learn about comprehensive dilated eye exams and age-related eye diseases and conditions, and to promote eye health messages,” according to the NEI.

4. Browse the Social Media Library on Eye Health and Aging

Through NEI, people can download and share messaging and tips for social media platforms such as Facebook and X.

Give others the opportunity to learn more about vision and aging in English and Spanish.

5. Share the Media Toolkit on Eye Health and Aging

NEI also equips others to also spread awareness by partnering with media, such as radio stations, and TV networks, and more.

A media guide is available to help build partnerships with local media outlets and promote these important health topics.

Sharing NEI’s media library with local media partners is also a way to educate other about eye health.

“Partnering with local news media — including newspapers, radio stations, and TV networks — is a powerful way to reach people in your community,” according to NEI.

6. Present Information Sessions on Eye Health and Aging

People also have the opportunity to lead educational sessions on eye health in their community with the See Well for a Lifetime toolkit.

“This three-module education series can be presented together or on a stand-alone basis. Each module features a PowerPoint presentation, speaker’s guide, and tip sheets that you can use as handouts,” according to the NEI.

Modules include:

• Making vision a health priority
• Age-related eye diseases and conditions
• Low vision

The toolkit is also available in Spanish.

Additional resources and more information can be found on the NEI’s website, which can be accessed here.

Know the Health of Your Community

How is the state of health in your community?

Find out by downloading a Salud America! Health Report Card for your town!

Enter your county name and get auto-generated local data with interactive maps and comparative gauges on several health indicators. This can help you visualize and explore local issues in education, housing, transportation, food, health, and more.

See how your county stacks up compared to the rest of your state and nation.

Then email the Report Card to local leaders to raise awareness, include the data in a presentation or grant proposal, or share it on social media to drive healthy change in your community!

GET YOUR HEALTH REPORT CARD!