International Leader in Age-friendly Movement to Speak in Springfield Oct. 28

SPRINGFIELD — The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHI), together with Tufts Health Plan Foundation and the Age Friendly Foundation, will host Alexandre Kalache, a world-renowned expert on global aging issues, on Monday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Community Music School of Springfield’s Robyn Newhouse Hall, 127 State St., Springfield.

In June, Springfield was recognized as the first city in the U.S. to receive three age-friendly designations — age-friendly city, dementia-friendly city, and age-friendly health system.

Kalache is a former director of the Global Aging Program at the World Health Organization, where he launched the Active Aging Policy Framework and the global movement on age-friendly cities. A medical epidemiologist specializing in the study of aging, he currently serves as president of the International Longevity Centre – Brazil and co-president of the Global Alliance of International Longevity Centres.

PHI was also awarded a two-year grant for $200,000 from Tufts Health Plan Foundation to create and implement an action plan to address housing and transportation needs of older people in Springfield, which align with Live Well Springfield’s Age-Friendly City Project. Live Well Springfield is convened by PHI.

The event will feature a presentation by Kalache, and attendees will also hear about diverse, community-led efforts underway to make Western Mass. communities age-friendly. Local leaders of the age-friendly movement who will be presenting include Jessica Collins and Samantha Hamilton of the Live Well Springfield Age-Friendly City initiative, Bobbie Orsi and Laura Kittross of Age-Friendly Berkshires, Cindy Langley and Marie Westburg of Age-Friendly Northampton, and Becky Basch of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. To register, click here.