A MULTICOMPONENT STRATEGY TO PROMOTE HEALTH EQUITY IN OLDER ADULTS BY REINFORCING THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN GRANVILLE AND VANCE COUNTIES

The neighborhood and built environment in Granville and Vance Counties significantly shape the health of aging adults, especially in rural communities facing food insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and housing instability. Through four Deliverable 1 analyses, Policy, Leadership, Engagement, and Quality, key barriers were identified, including exclusionary zoning ordinances, digital inequities, limited access to public health data, and insufficient community-led decision-making. These intersecting factors contribute to disproportionately high rates of chronic disease and social isolation among older adults in these counties. Deliverable 2 expanded on these findings by proposing governance strategies focused on accountability, cross-sector collaboration, and sustainability. Recommendations included shared measurement systems, inclusive coalition structures, and conflict resolution frameworks. Together, the deliverables emphasize the urgent need for equity-focused, community-driven solutions to improve access to affordable housing, broadband, and environments that support aging. This work offers a roadmap for advancing structural change to ensure that all residents can age with dignity in healthy, connected communities.