Demographics & Population
America’s aging population is reshaping healthcare systems, communities, and public policy nationwide. Explore articles and insights on demographic trends, population aging, healthcare access, and how organizations are responding to the changing needs of older adults in an increasingly diverse society.
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Inside the West Health City Checkup
Not one of the 789 cities graded by the West Health City Checkup earned an A. Rockville, Maryland, ranked first in the country, earns the single highest grade anyone achieved: a B+. Its Safety & Security domain, on its own, sits at only the 72nd percentile.1 Strong, not flawless, and that's true of the best report card in America.That's not a flaw in the measurement. It's the finding, and that’s w...
America's Cities Just Got a Checkup
Today, 789 American cities took the same checkup. Not one earned an A. West Health graded all of them, A+ to F, across seven dimensions of daily life: financial security, infrastructure, mental and behavioral health, physical environment, physical health, safety, and social connection. Rockville, Maryland earned the best report card in the country, a B+. Memphis, Tennessee ranked 789th out of 789....
The Gender Gap in Aging: Economic Security in 2025
Life-long patterns of inequality in work experiences and wealth accumulation contribute to substantial gender disparities in retirement security. These factors reduce women’s earnings and their capacity to accumulate retirement resources. Women also typically outlive men, increasing the likelihood of becoming widowed and living alone and stretching already limited resources across a longer retirem...
Association of Dementia Diagnosis with Urinary Tract Infection in the Emergency Department
AbstractObjectivesOverdiagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTI) among people living with dementia is a nationally recognized problem associated with morbidity from antibiotics as well as multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, whether this problem also exists in the emergency department (ED) is currently unknown.MethodsTo examine the association between dementia and UTI diagnosis in the ED we per...
A Milestone in Brain Health: U.S. POINTER Study Confirms Lifestyle Can Protect Memory
Dementia, a progressive decline in cognitive function, is one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time. It affects millions of Americans and places a significant emotional, financial, and social burden on families. Until recently, much of the conversation around dementia has focused on treatment and care. But with the release of results from the U.S. POINTER Study on brain health, t...
Housing Solutions for an Aging America
As America’s aging population continues to grow, the supply of affordable and accessible housing has not kept up, leading to a shortage of stable housing options for older adults. Adults age 50+ are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population experiencing homelessness, and the number of homeless older adults is expected to triple by 2030. This presents an urgent need for housing solutions t...
Addressing Cognitive Decline in a Diverse Aging Population
Cognitive decline affects nearly one-third of adults age 65 and older across the U.S., shaping how they move through daily life, interact with others, and navigate the healthcare system. While cognitive changes can be a normal part of aging, the experience is far from universal. For older adults from historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups, cognitive decline is compounded by systemic in...
VaxMap 2.0: West Health Policy Center and University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Develop County-Level Map of Potential COVID-19 Vaccine Locations
EXECUTIVE SUMMARYIntroductionPreparedness and planning are of upmost importance to ensure a timely and equitable administration of COVID-19 vaccines among the U.S. population. Geographic information systems analysis can be used to inform the design of vaccine distribution and administration plans. These analyses can identify limitations in the existing health care facility infrastructure to ensure...
Taking into Account the Mosaic That is America’s Older Population
According to the U.S. Census Bureau America is home to 57.8 million older adults and growing. By 2030, the number of people 65 and older will outnumber people 18 and under and this will be a diverse group of Americans. Approximately one-quarter of older adults are from racial or ethnic communities; 84% are White but that percentage is projected to drop from 84% to 60% by 2050. Older adults have ...
Key Challenges Women Face that Impact Their Financial Security
Planning for retirement is difficult at any age, but it can be especially challenging for women ages 50 to 64, who are often juggling work, caregiving responsibilities, and rising health expenses associated with an increase in health care needs. These years are also often women’s peak earning years, making this period a critical window to build savings and strengthen financial security. Elder Inde...