Appropriates funds to the Healthy Aging Project to assist it with its action plan.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The healthy aging project began in 2003, when state and county aging network and public health programs joined forces to improve the health of older adults through increased physical activity and improved nutrition in local communities. The long-term goal of the healthy aging project is to reduce morbidity and premature mortality.

Although Hawaii's older adults are living longer, there is a growing number who are facing chronic conditions and who are not meeting recommended physical activity or nutritional requirements. According to department of health surveillance data, forty per cent of adults sixty years and older are overweight, and over sixty per cent consume less than the minimum daily requirement of five servings of fruits and vegetables.

The healthy aging project's action plan is to continue to provide technical assistance to partners across the State on evidence-based interventions, conduct statewide public awareness initiatives, expand local projects, and conduct an evaluation. The healthy aging project needs $450,000 to accomplish these goals. The resources will be allocated as follows:

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to the healthy aging project to assist its action plan.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $450,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the healthy aging project to continue to provide technical assistance to partners across the state on evidence-based interventions, conduct statewide public awareness initiatives, expand local projects, and conduct an evaluation.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.