As Hawaiʻi’s population ages, an award-winning public health graduate student is working to improve policies that help kūpuna (older adults) live safely and independently.
Kevin Peralta, a master of public health student in the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 , recently received the at the Hawaiʻi Pacific Gerontological Society 2025 conference. The award recognizes emerging leaders in aging research and highlights Peralta’s work on aging in place and fall prevention.
At the conference, Peralta delivered an oral presentation on fall risk factors, related health outcomes and the need for stronger prevention efforts.
Falls are a leading cause of injury and death among adults 65 and older in Hawaiʻi, yet prevention remains underprioritized across legislation, insurance coverage and social services. Peralta’s work aims to inform stronger policy solutions.
“Too often, I observed older adults experiencing declines in mental health after losing their ability to live independently and with dignity,” Peralta said. “Many families rely on home modifications to keep their loved ones safe, but these preventive measures are often financially out of reach for low-income households. Institutionalization should be a last resort. More can and should be done to prevent falls and support people to remain safely in their homes.”
Turning research into action
During his practicum with Thrive for Life, Peralta helped develop lobbying strategies supporting the reintroduction of a Caregiver Tax Credit bill in 2026, which would give families tax relief to help cover costs of caring for older relatives at home. He also explored ways to expedite permits for home modifications and helped plan statewide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rallies in July 2025.
More can and should be done to prevent falls and support people to remain safely in their homes.
—Kevin Peralta
“Aging is something we will all experience,” Peralta said. “Supporting positive changes in current health policies, implementing aging-related health interventions, and providing financial stability for the aging population, would improve the quality of life for all persons through every phase of life.”
Expected to graduate in May 2026, Peralta plans to continue advancing policy solutions that support aging with dignity in Hawaiʻi.
“Kevin is making a difference in the community by integrating his academic research with community needs and policy action in his MPH degree,” said Tetine Sentell, a professor in public health and his advisor. “We are very proud of him and happy to see these important collaborations thriving.”