Des Moines University Global Health and Aging Resources of Central Iowa were honored with the AARP 2012 Partners in Service Award for their work with AARP Iowa to make Des Moines one of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. Yogesh Shah, M.D., associate dean of global health, and Joel Olah, Ph.D., executive director of Aging Resources of Central Iowa, accepted the award at a reception on October 10.
DMU Global Health and Aging Resources of Central Iowa asked AARP Iowa to become a partner in the effort to encourage the City of Des Moines to apply for membership in the age-friendly cities program. In October 2011, Des Moines was accepted as a member, becoming just the third city in the United States and first in the Midwest to be included in the network.
The WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) is a worldwide group of cities and communities striving to meet the needs of their older residents. Members are committed to creating environments that promote healthy and active aging and a good quality of life for seniors.
