AJPH First Look, published online ahead of print May 30, 2006
July 2006, Vol 96, No. 7 | American Journal of Public Health 1151
© 2006 American Public Health Association
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2006.091819
Moving Through Life
Nancy Bruning, MPH1 and
Mary E. Northridge, PhD, MPH, Editor-in-Chief2
1 Immigration and Health Initiative, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York
2 AJPH
The lights are low, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. We are sitting stageside at Joe’s Pub in Lower Manhattan, where the renowned flamenco dancer Soledad Barrio and her company Noche Flamenca are about to perform. After a few opening songs by her cantaores (singers), Barrio appears—stamping her feet, tossing her head, snaking her torso, diving, swooping. The siguiriya has been described as the most tragic of flamenco dances. In her version, Barrio emanates palpable waves of passion, heartbreak, and joy. Her maturity brings extra depth and meaning to her dance, as she strips away sentimentality and reveals the essence of human existence.
Inspired by Barrio’s vibrant intensity, yet realizing that few of us will ever reach her level of fitness, we chose for this month’s cover a group of lighthearted friends dancing the conga. To us, healthy aging is life in motion. Barrio’s flamenco also serves as a metaphor for the drive to propel ourselves forward to the next stage in life with insight, born of experience, into what is authentic and worthy of our devotion and support.
We came together to write this piece through a series of serendipitous happenings. Our first encounter was at an urbanism and public health seminar at Columbia University, which we both attended because we share an interest in advancing this interdisciplinary work in New York City. A second meeting occurred courtesy of our dear colleague, Andrew Goodman at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, who just knew we would find common ground (he was right!). Finally, we ended up living within 4 blocks of one another in northern Manhattan, near Fort Tryon Park, which brings both of us such sustenance.
This month’s issue takes a broad public health approach to a process that begins at birth. Angel and Angel (p1152) propose a conceptual framework for understanding ethnicity-based differentials in health and argue for a public health agenda that focuses more attention on the economic, political, and institutional factors that perpetuate poverty and disadvantage among certain groups as they age. Masotti et al. (p1164) introduce a new term, "healthy naturally occurring retirement communities." These communities offer health benefits through their positive impacts on physical environments and social supports; hence, Masotti et al. encourage municipal governments to pursue policies to stimulate development of these communities. Finally, Li et al. (p1192) urge improvements in outdoor environments (e.g., sidewalks, curbs, and streets) to decrease the risk of falls, particularly among older people, who are more likely now than ever before to pursue active lifestyles.
Today’s seniors have lived through the Great Depression, World War II, and other momentous events. As they continue to move through life, we urge them to continue to move. Physical activity is essential for health and well-being at every age. We may need to modify our routines as we age, but our wisdom and ingenuity provide us with strategies and opportunities to adapt to our changing levels of strength and vigor. Separately, the 2 of us will continue to engage in physical activity programs and oral health initiatives for disadvantaged seniors in New York City. Together, we plan to take more walks and, yes, dance. We are dedicated to moving through life and promoting health for all.
Copyright © 2006 by the American Public Health Association
