Strategies That Work
Evidence-based Behavior Change
A key component to health promotion interventions for older adults is effective health communication strategies. Unfortunately, many health promotion and disease prevention efforts are guided more by good intentions, precedent, and expedience than by strong evidence. Given the limited resources available to conduct health interventions for older adults, it is important that interventions utilize evidence-based health communication strategies that are shown to lead to improved health outcomes. Our research question was: what are current, evidence-based best-practices for health behavior change education, especially regarding diet and exercise, to older adults? To answer this, we conducted a scoping review of the research literature to find out exactly which communication strategies work, such as group workshops, eHealth apps, or tailored training. Please read our publication for more information!
Reference
Howell, B.M., Hiratsuka, V.Y., Vahle, H., & Rabang, N. (2025). Effective Health Education Strategies for Changing Older Adult Diet and Exercise: A Scoping Review Report.
Functional Fitness and Mental Health
This study reviewed research from around the world to understand whether functional fitness exercises (workouts that use everyday movements like lifting, squatting, and balancing) can improve mental health in older women. Older women experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation than men, yet they are often underrepresented in exercise and mental health research. Across 21 studies, most found that participating in functional fitness programs led to meaningful improvements in mood, reduced anxiety and depression, better quality of life, and stronger social connections. The most successful programs were group-based, suggesting that the social aspects of exercising together play an important role in supporting mental well-being as people age. These findings highlight functional fitness as a practical, evidence-based way to support both physical independence and mental health in later life, with important implications for families, communities, and aging services.
Reference
Howell, B.M., Hansen, M.A., & Hellem, T. (2026). A systematic review of mental health benefits of functional fitness training interventions in older women. Aging & Mental Health, published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1080/13607863.2026.2612737.