New York’s Health Across All Policies (HAAP) initiative represents a strategic shift in how the state approaches public policy. Rather than treating health as the sole responsibility of the Department of Health, HAAP embeds health considerations into the work of all state agencies. This integrated approach matters for anyone working on issues that intersect with aging, elder care, and community planning.
Background
In 2018, then-Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued Executive Order 190, requiring every state agency to account for health—and specifically healthy aging—across its policies and programs. The order draws on the state’s Prevention Agenda and the World Health Organization’s Eight Domains of Livability to guide implementation.
In 2019, the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) partnered with the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), the Department of State, and the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York to launch the Health and Age Across All Policies (HAAAP) program. This 12-month learning collaborative—documented in NYAM’s 2024 report—included 16 counties and municipalities and focused on helping agencies:
- Apply HAAP principles in their work
- Advance Age-Friendly certification
- Develop regional age-friendly centers of excellence
NYAM remains a key partner in advancing this work, supporting both state and city agencies in integrating health into policy decisions.
Why This Matters For Elder Law And Estate Planning
Key Point: HAAP’s focus on healthy aging and age-friendly community design has practical implications for legal professionals. As communities implement HAAP principles, the landscape for elder care, housing, and service access may change—potentially affecting your clients’ needs and priorities.
Some examples:
- Estate Planning Context: Age-friendly housing and transportation can influence whether a client chooses to age in place or relocate, which can affect planning for property and asset transfers.
- Policy Advocacy: Legal professionals can play a role in supporting initiatives that reduce long-term care burdens by addressing social determinants of health.
- Collaboration Opportunities: Partnering with HAAP learning collaboratives can help ensure that legal frameworks align with evolving community infrastructure.
Summary Table
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Executive Order 190 (2018) | Requires all state agencies to consider health and aging in their policies. |
| HAAAP Program (2019) | Collaborative initiative led by NYAM and partners. |
| Key Aims | Promote healthy aging, integrate social determinants, and support age-friendly communities. |
Hani Sarji
New York lawyer who cares about people, is fascinated by technology, and is writing his next book, Estate of Confusion: New York.
Leave a Comment