Each year, the Aging & Public Health Section highlights aging issues and recognizes those who have taken positive action in support of older adults at the APHA Annual Meeting.
For more information, contact Wenhan Guo.
View our 2015 Awards Program, 2016 Awards Program, 2017 Awards Program, and 2018 Awards Program for the list of winners!
2024 Award Winners
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ruth D. Palombo, MS, MA, PhD, Posthumous award
Archstone Foundation Award for Excellence in Program Innovation
“Diabetes Care Clinics”, Accepted by Raju Patel, PharmD, PhD, Professor, University of the Pacific, CA, San Diego, CA
Steven P. Wallace Emerging Advocate Award
Temitope Kayode, MPH, MBBS, DRH, DHA, DrPH Candidate, New York Medical College
Research Paper Awards
Aetna Award for Excellence in Research on Older Women and Public Health
Award Winner
Keya Sen, PhD, School of Health Administration, at Texas State University
Assessing the effect of health literacy intervention for chronic disease management in older women
Rural and Environment Research Award
Award Winner
Gayani Perera, PhD, MSc, Center for Health Policy, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY
Association of Rurality and Neighborhood Deprivation with Infection-related Hospitalizations among the U.S. Home Health Care Population
Honorable Mention
Alyssa Fritz, MPH, RD, CLC, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
A Policy Analysis of Elder Abuse Laws: Examining Differences in Abuse Type Coverage and Reporting Laws by Rurality
Betty J. Cleckley Minority Issues Research Award
Award Winner
Fatima Ahmed, MPH, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington
Challenges experienced by Chinese persons living with dementia in the US with limited English proficiency and their families
Nabuo Maeda International Research Award
Award Winner
Shi-Wen, Huang, BS, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei
The effectiveness of Hospital-at-Home in Taiwan: a prospective observational controlled study
Erickson Foundation Award for Excellence in Research
Award Winner
Suhang Song, PhD University of Georgia College of Public Health
Association of Cumulative BMI with Cognitive Decline, Dementia, and Racial Disparity: a 24-Year Longitudinal Cohort Study
Honorable Mention
Nareeta Sharma, PhD University of the Pacific
Concordance is out there: An assessment of A1cs and risk tests as parameters used to detect prediabetes.
Honorable Mention
Alyx Phillips, PhD University of Nevada Las Vegas
The association between food insecurity and transportation insecurity for older adults in Clark County, Nevada
New Investigator and Student Awards
James G. Zimmer New Investigator Research Award
Award Winner
Suhang Song, PhD University of Georgia College of Public Health
Long-term Cumulative Physical Activity Associated with Less Cognitive Decline: Evidence from a 16-year Longitudinal Cohort Study
Honorable Mention
Kan Gianattasio, PhD, University of Chicago
Diagnostic code case definitions for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias; Systematic review of previous definitions and application in Medicare data
Master’s Student Research Award
Award Winner
Jocelyn Smith, Master’s student, San Diego State University
Exploring the knowledge and attitudes of emerging health and human service professionals regarding sexuality and older adults
Laurence G. Branch Doctoral Student Research Award
Award Winner
Eric Mishio Bawa, PhD Student, University of South Carolina
The Distribution of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) in South Carolina; Evidence from the South Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease Registry
Registry
Cumulative Achievement Awards
Steven Wallace Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an outstanding individual with a 20-year or longer career and who has made a significant contribution to public service, scholarship, or science in the areas of geriatrics and gerontology. This award is named after a longtime Section leader, Dr. Steve Wallace, who passed away in 2021.
Philip G. Weiler Award For Leadership in Aging and Public Health
The Philip G. Weiler Award for Leadership in Aging and Public Health is presented to an outstanding person or organization who has made significant contributions to the field through policy, research, education, or service and has contributed to the Section through leadership activities or funding and policy initiatives.
Best Scientific Papers at APHA Annual Meeting
Susan B. Anthony Aetna Award for Excellence in Research on Older Women and Public Health
Women are the majority of care recipients and caregivers and have longer life expectancies. As a result, long-term care and health care in general are top issues of concern for women today. An overriding goal of the award program is to recognize individuals who make a significant contribution to research on older women and public health.
Erickson Foundation Research Award in Positive Aging
This award recognizes high-caliber research that significantly advances our understanding of physical, social, psychological, financial, and/or civic dimensions of positive aging on either the individual or community level. This research should enhance the impact of such scientific advances on public policy.
Nobuo Maeda International Research Award
This award is for International research topics. The award is intended to recognize and further the career of leaders in international research and policy development.
Betty J. Cleckley Minority Issues Research Award
The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals in aging and public health research who have made a significant impact on the lives of older people who are members of minority groups. Minimizing health disparities and improving access to health and long-term care services are important issues for minority populations in the U.S.
Aging Public Health- Rural and Environment Research Award
The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals in public health research who have made a significant difference to understanding the impact that rural location and/or environment have on aging and public health. Research can focus on rural issues and environment issues separately or jointly on both areas.
James G. Zimmer New Investigator Research Award
This award is given to new investigators in recognition of past excellence and promise of future excellence in research. A “new investigator” is defined as someone who is within five years of completion of his or her terminal degree. The award is intended to recognize and further the careers of future leaders in research.
Laurence G. Branch Doctoral Student Research Award and the Masters Student Research Award
These two awards honor outstanding students for exceptional research during their training. Individuals honored by these awards have completed a research project as a student. Research projects are completed in the areas of gerontology, aging, chronic illness and disability in adults, long-term care, or geriatrics.