WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2023 — HelpAge USA, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of older people, is pleased to announce the appointment of two distinguished professionals to its Board of Directors. Jennie Chin Hansen, former CEO of the American Geriatrics Society and past president of AARP, and Jonathan Cohen, Clinical Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California, were elected to the board in October, bringing their extensive expertise, commitment, and knowledge to the organization.
Jennie Chin Hansen, the immediate past CEO of the American Geriatrics Society, has a distinguished career in federal and state aging policy, care design, and delivery systems. As the former president of AARP during the negotiations and development of the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act, Hansen played a pivotal role in shaping policies that impact older populations. Her innovative work in San Francisco, where she established integrated medical and community-based services for nursing home-eligible older persons, served as the blueprint for the 1997 federal law that established the Program of All Inclusive Care to the Elderly (PACE) into the Medicare and Medicaid programs. PACE now operates extensively in California and 31 other states, providing comprehensive care to older adults.
Jonathan Cohen is a Clinical Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California and serves as the Director of Policy Engagement for the USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health. He is a 2022-2023 Health and Aging Policy Fellow and was a Visiting Scholar at the Hastings Center in 2018, studying healthy longevity in sexual and gender minorities. With an impressive background in research and policy development, Cohen’s expertise will greatly benefit HelpAge USA’s mission to advocate for the rights and well-being of older people in the U.S. and worldwide. His previous leadership roles at the Open Society Foundations and his extensive research on human rights abuses demonstrate his commitment to creating positive change in the international aging community and addressing global health disparities.
“We are honored to welcome Jennie Chin Hansen and Jonathan Cohen to our Board of Directors,” said Cindy Cox-Roman, president and CEO of HelpAge USA. “Their wealth of experience, dedication to improving the lives of older people, and innovative approaches to aging policy and care delivery will undoubtedly enhance our impact. We look forward to working together to make a difference in the lives of older adults in the U.S. and around the world.”
HelpAge USA continues to expand its reach and influence, advocating for policies that address the challenges faced by older people and promoting a society where all individuals can age with dignity and respect.
For media inquiries, please contact: Alex Garvey, Communications Manager, at agarvey@helpageusa.org.
HelpAge USA is a nonprofit that advances the rights, well-being, and inclusion of older people around the world. As part of the HelpAge Global Network, HelpAge USA works to ensure that the contributions of all older people are recognized, and they have the right to a healthy, safe, and secure life. Visit us at helpageusa.org.
