Societal Readiness
Explore insights and resources on how prepared communities and systems are to meet the challenges of a fast-growing aging population.
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Feelings Meet Facts: What We See When We Overlay Our Gallup Survey on the City Checkup
Nearly one in four U.S. workers, about 23 million people, say they're staying in a job they want to leave because they're afraid of losing their health insurance.1 Researchers call this job lock, and according to new research from our West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America, it's risen eight percentage points since 2021.1,2 That's a feeling, captured the way we capture feelings through ...
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....
Why Aging with HIV Must Be Included in Every Multisector Plan for Aging
Understanding the intersection of HIV and aging is essential particularly as states develop multisector plans for aging (MPAs). People aging with HIV include long-term survivors, individuals who acquired HIV at birth or in childhood and have lived with the virus their entire lives (lifetime survivors), as well as individuals diagnosed later in life. This diverse aging community faces unique clinic...
Preparing for the Future: Using Data to Support Aging in America
It’s no secret that communities worldwide are experiencing a demographic shift, with older adults soon outnumbering younger generations. In the U.S., the Census Bureau projects that by 2034, adults ages 65 and older will outnumber children younger than 18 for the first time in history.West Health has worked with federal and state agencies to facilitate aging-focused planning, and a common challeng...
Leveraging Multisector Plans for Aging to Promote Health Equity
As our population skews older, ensuring equitable access to healthcare and social services becomes increasingly important. Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) have emerged as a pivotal framework for addressing the diverse needs of older adults and promoting health equity. This comprehensive strategy encompasses initiatives aimed at enhancing well-being and quality of life for older Americans, while...
Creating the Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging
Aging in America and the Case for a National Plan on AgingThere are more than 77 million adults ages 60 and older living in the United States, representing more than 23% of its total population, and this cohort is expected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years. In addition, more people are aging with a disability. Our changing demographics require all levels of government, along with key...
Why MPAs Are Critical to Equitably Meeting the Needs of Aging Communities
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, states have an opportunity to rebuild their systems serving elders to better serve all older adults and people with disabilities. This massive feat must begin with a plan.Multisector Plans for Aging—also known as master plans, strategic plans or aging-well plans—offer a powerful tool for communities to better meet older adults’ long-term services and supp...
How Transportation Shapes Health Care Access for Older Adults
As we age, access to transportation greatly influences our ability to maintain independence and engage in essential daily activities. For more than 11 million older adults who no longer drive, reliable transportation often determines whether they can access timely care, manage their chronic conditions, grocery shopping, and stay connected to their communities. Nearly 10% of older adults over age 6...
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...