What You Should Know:
– A new survey conducted by Alignment Health reveals the significant social and environmental factors that are impacting the health and well-being of seniors in the United States. These factors, known as social determinants of health, are preventing seniors from living healthier lives.
– The 2024 Social Threats to Aging Well In America was conducted via an online poll of 2,051 Americans aged 65 and older between April 30 and May 21, 2024. Additional surveys were collected in Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina to reach a minimum sample size of 100 per state for analysis purposes.
Social Threats to Aging Well in America
Key findings of the survey include:
- Aging in Place: Nearly seven out of ten seniors (69%) identified aging in place as a top social barrier to their health. Many seniors prefer to remain independent in their own homes, but this can present challenges related to safety, accessibility, and social isolation.
- Lack of Transportation and Access to Care: Almost two-thirds of seniors (64%) cited lack of reliable transportation and access to medical care as a major barrier to their health. This can hinder their ability to attend appointments, obtain necessary treatments, and manage chronic conditions.
- Economic Insecurity: Financial challenges can significantly impact health outcomes. Over half of seniors (56%) ranked economic insecurity as a top concern, and many faced medical debt and difficulty paying medical expenses.
- Mental Health and Loneliness: Lack of support, mental health concerns, and loneliness were also cited as significant social barriers to health.
- Cultural Barriers: One in five seniors identified cultural barriers as a challenge, highlighting the importance of culturally sensitive care.
- Food Insecurity: Food insecurity was a concern for 18% of seniors, indicating the impact of economic factors on overall health.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health
To improve the health and well-being of seniors, it is essential to address these social determinants of health. This may involve:
- Expanding access to transportation: Providing transportation options to help seniors get to medical appointments and other essential activities.
- Supporting aging in place: Offering programs and services to help seniors remain independent in their homes, such as home modifications, meal delivery, and companionship.
- Addressing economic insecurity: Providing financial assistance, job training, and other resources to help seniors improve their economic situation.
- Promoting mental health and social support: Offering counseling, support groups, and other resources to address mental health and loneliness.
“As an industry, we must pay close attention to what our nation’s seniors are telling us are the major roadblocks that impede their health so we can pinpoint solutions that help remove as many of those barriers as we can and ensure they thrive in their later years,” said Dr. John Kim, senior vice president, market management at Alignment Health and chief medical officer, Alignment Health Plan in California. “Our past research has informed the need to accelerate innovative partnerships for our growing member base, such as ones that address food insecurity or benefits that support at-home care.”