Cheers to the 250 AFPHS Champions!

TFAH is excited to announce that there are now over 250 Age-Friendly Public Health Systems (AFPHS) Champions across the country. To mark this achievement, we’ve created a special video featuring several of the incredible individuals who have become champions. This milestone reflects the dedication and passion of professionals across the country who are committed to advancing healthy aging.

The AFPHS Champions program, a component of the AFPHS Recognition Program,  offers a valuable professional development opportunity designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the roles of public health in healthy aging.  The AFPHS Champion designation is open to any and all individuals. This recognition is achieved by attending or viewing the recording of six AFPHS monthly trainings. Many professionals have used this experience to elevate awareness of healthy aging within their departments and organizations. In academic settings, faculty in schools of public health have even incorporated this opportunity directly into their coursework to enrich student learning.

“This outstanding milestone is an important step in advancing healthy aging as a core function of public health. These champions are now equipped to lead the charge in driving innovation to support older adults and foster equity across the lifespan.” Megan Wolfe, JD, Senior Policy Development Manager.

Becoming an AFPHS Champion is more than just a professional milestone—it also fulfills one of the key steps for a public health department to become a recognized Age-Friendly Public Health System. Across the country, state and local health departments, as well as a growing number of public health organizations, have designated champions who are leading efforts to advance healthy aging in their organizations. These champions serve as advocates, innovators, and connectors, helping to integrate age-friendly practices into public health initiatives.

Healthy Aging Champions represent 32 states across the country, as the map below illustrates.