Dissemination Audiences for Rural Healthy Aging Programs

When implementing a healthy aging program in rural communities, it is important to share lessons learned and impact of programs. Sharing successes helps other rural areas improve, adjust, or create their own programs.

Using personal stories and testimonials when communicating a program's successes and lessons learned can help increase information sharing. For example, bringing in the voices of the older adults who have benefited from the program can provide authenticity to the message, increasing the influence of the program's dissemination strategy. Using narratives like this can be a valuable tool for explaining healthy aging programs to participants, family members, community members, funders, and policymakers.

Programs should use a variety of dissemination methods to share project findings and successes of rural healthy aging programs at the local, state, and national levels to reach as many people as possible. Rural communities should tailor program findings for their audience. Key dissemination audiences for rural healthy aging programs include:

• Older Adults: The primary beneficiaries of the programs, who need to understand the benefits, resources, and services available to them.
• Family Members and Caregivers: They play an important role in supporting older adults and need information to support older adults and encourage participation in healthy aging programs.
• Community Members: Neighbors and community members who can help spread the word, support programs, and contribute to creating an age-friendly environment.
• Local Health and Social Service Providers: These professionals can integrate rural healthy aging initiatives into their services, enhancing the reach and impact of the programs.
• Community Leaders and Local Government: They support healthy aging programs and can help ensure the program's sustainability.
• Funders and Policymakers: These groups, including state and national agencies, provide funding and set policies. They are interested in the effectiveness of the program.
• Researchers: They can identify outcomes of the program, share findings with the public, and help improve future initiatives.
• Media Outlets: They can help raise awareness and inform the public about the program's successes.

Reaching these audiences through tailored messages and communication channels helps ensure the program's success and sustainability.

More information about what and how to share about a program's success and lessons learned can be found in the Rural Community Health Toolkit.

Resources to Learn More

Phase 6: Communication and Dissemination
Website
Shares lessons learned from the Inclusive Healthy Communities Model. Highlights successful communication and dissemination strategies. Shares additional considerations for and examples of sharing and communication information.
Organization(s): Disability and Health Branch Centers for Disease Control and Prevention