Mississippi State Department of Health

Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) selected the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) as one of only two expansion states in 2020 to provide funding and technical assistance to expand its role in healthy aging. Since then, MSDH has created an active Age-Friendly Public Health Systems (AFPHS) Advisory Committee, an AFPHS Learning and Action Network, and a comprehensive AFPHS Action Plan based on TFAH’s 6Cs Framework.

Older adults represent over 16 percent of the population in Mississippi. Given the noted health disparities, especially in the Mississippi Delta, high rates of smoking, and the prevalence of falls, supporting the health of older adults in this state is critical.

Mississippi has updated their Statewide Work Plan.

By conducting “collective impact interviews” with several key stakeholders and leaders in MS, the MS DOH was able to gain insight and develop a strategic approach to supporting the health of older adults in their community.  

The goals and objectives outlined in workplan are aligned to the AFPHS 6Cs Framework.

Mississippi held their first Healthy Aging Summit on May 3, 2023 and the second one is scheduled for May 2, 2024.

Resources

Healthy Aging – Mississippi State Department of Health webpage

Age-Friendly Public Health System for Mississippi Infographic

The COVID-19 Pandemic in Midlife and Older Persons in Mississippi (article)

Mississippi’s AFPHS Advisory Committee Organizations

  • Mississippi State Department of Health
  • Office of State Health Officer
  • Office of Community Health Improvement
  • Office of Emergency Planning and Response
  • Age-Friendly Public Health Systems
  • Marion General Hospital
  • MS Dept. of Human Services, State Unit on Aging
  • Mississippi Access to Care Network (MAC Network)
  • Three Rivers Planning and Development District
  • Central Mississippi Planning and Development District
  • Alzheimer’s Association, Mississippi Chapter
  • AARP Mississippi
  • MS Public Health Association (Dr. Kaye Bender)
  • MS Dept. of Transportation, Public Transit Division
  • Retired Social Worker (Kathy Burk)
  • MS Division of Medicaid, Department of Innovations
  • MS State Medical Association
  • Community Health Center Association of Mississippi
  • Mississippi Family Caregiver Coalition
  • Mississippi College, Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President
  • The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) Division of Geriatrics
  • The MIND Center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC)
  • Mississippi State University Extension & College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Contact Information

Kina L. White, DrPH, MHSA, FACHE
Director, Office of Community Health Improvement
Mississippi State Department of Health
kina.white@msdh.ms.gov