The COVID-19 pandemic sharply illuminated weaknesses in the nation’s public health system and ways in which structural racism put communities of color at disproportionate risk of negative health outcomes, according to a new report, The Promise of Good Health for All: Transforming Public Health in America.

The report from Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) offers a blueprint for policymakers taking office next year on how to strengthen the system, protect against health security threats, address the social determinants of health, and combat racism and other forms of discrimination that negatively affect community and individual health and resilience.

Among the “recommendations for policy action” is a subsection that states, “Establish age-friendly environments in public health, healthcare, and other sectors.” The recommendation urges support for age-friendly communities, states and public health systems.

The TFAH report also recommends that Congress should fund a Healthy Aging program within CDC to build state and local public health departments’ capacity to promote the health and well-being of older adults  including determinants of health beyond healthcare.