SRPH Active for Life receives Cornerstone Award

(COLLEGE STATION, TX) — Seeking to increase the number of physically active mid-life and older adults, the Active for Life program at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health recently received the Cornerstone Award.

Presented April 24 at the Texas Conference on Aging in Dallas, the Cornerstone Award is presented to an organization outside the aging network that has made a significant contribution in the field of aging on a local, state or national level.

Under the direction of Marcia Ory, Ph.D., M.P.H., Active for Life has grown significantly since its inception in 2002 due to the generous support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The program uses two research-based programs, translating them into a variety of existing community structures that include the aging network, public health departments, healthcare systems, faith-based organizations, social service agencies and adult learning centers.

The Active for Life National Program Office at HSC-SRPH coordinates the activities of nine program sites nationwide.

“We are thrilled that Active for Life was recognized as a major contributor in the field of aging,” Dr. Ory said. “Active for Life and the HSC-School of Rural Public Health are committed to translating research into practice. It is our hope that such programs can be distributed throughout the state of Texas to improve the health and well-being of the growing population of older Texans.”

The Texas A&M Health Science Center provides the state with health education, outreach and research. Its six components located in communities throughout Texas are Baylor College of Dentistry, the College of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology, the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, and the School of Rural Public Health.