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Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

​Ways to Maintain or Improve Health and Wellbeing​​

The Maryland Department of Aging, local Area Agencies on Aging, and the Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence support health promotion throughout the state through funding and monitoring of a variety of health services including screenings, physical activity, education, medication management, and other services. A key emphasis is placed on evidence-based programs, which have been documented, through robust research, to produce improved health outcomes including:

  • Increased function
  • Reduced falls
  • Better control of chronic disease symptoms​ 
Popular programs offered in Maryland include:
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  • The Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management suite of programs
  • Stepping On and Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance falls prevention programs
  • Enhance Fitness Exercise Program

Learn more about evidence-based Health Promotion programming offered in your community by visiting the Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence’s website, or contact your Area Agency on Aging or Maryland Access Point office.​

Ways to Improve or Maintain Your Health

​Health promotion classes, both in person and virtual, are offered through Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and associated Senior Centers throughout Maryland. To learn more and access services to improve or maintain your health and manage chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis, ​contact your local AAA​, Maryland Access Point (MAP), or Community Senior ​Center​​s. 


Activities include:​

Information for Professionals

​The Maryland Department of Aging works with the Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence, Area Agencies on Aging​ and other state departments and community-based organizations to support health promotion programming and provide technical assistance by:

  • Connecting local organizations providing health promotion services throughout Maryland​
  • Interpreting and answering questions about Older Americans Act Title III-D: Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Services
  • Assisting staff in learning more about available evidence-based programs and effective and appropriate spending of Older Americans Act Title III-D funds
  • Health promotion monitoring and data collection through the semi-annual and annual reporting
  • Assisting with the development of marketing, outreach, and sustainability measures for health promotion and evidence-based prevention programs
  • Providing assistance with planning health promotion activities via the area plan
  • Supporting local organizations applying for grant funding for health promotion programs; and
  • Providing funding opportunities for county governments and Area Agencies on Aging to support health promotion programming through Older Americans Act Title III-D funds and the Senior Citizens Activities Center Operating Fund​
Training for evidence-based health promotion programs is offered throughout the state through the ​Maryland Living Well​ Center for Excellence, located out of MAC, Inc. Learn more about the development of the center here and connect to Mac, Inc. here. To find a class, click here.
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​Free At-Home, Accessible Covid-19 Tests Now Available​

Every U.S. household can now order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests, including more accessible tests for people with low vision or low manual dexterity. The tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants and are intended for use through the end of 2024.

To order standard tests, fill out a form at https://special.usps.com/testkits. To order the InteliSwab accessible test visit https://special.usps.com/testkits/accessible​. You may also order by phone by calling the CDC Information line at 1-800-232-0233.

DEA National Drug Take Back Day - October 26th

​Turn in Unneeded Medication for Safe Disposal.

Resources: