Missouri?s aging, public health programs merge

Missouri's Department of Health and the Division of Aging recently merged and became the Department of Health and Senior Services. According to a news release from the Department of Health and Senior Services, the merger and reorganization allows better integration of services and resources.

"Moving the Division of Aging to the Department of Health will give us a better understanding of senior citizens' needs and help us develop more targeted interventions," said Dr. Maureen Demp-sey, department director.

The merger also increases focus on senior issues in Missouri and helps prepare the state for future growth in the aging population. The release stated that Missouri now has 984,000 seniors 60 years of age or older, and that number is expected to increase by 65 percent in the next 25 years.

"Missourians are living healthier, longer lives. Combining senior and public health issues into one system will allow us to more effectively focus on prevention and how we can help all citizens live healthier. The two agencies already share a common mission to promote and protect the health and quality of life for all Missourians," Dempsey added.

More information about the Depar-tment of Health and Senior Services is available online at www.dhss.state. mo.us.