Older adults (age 65 and older) report having better access to factors that can help them stay connected, both socially and with their health care professionals. Between 2021 and 2022, there was a 2.0% increase in high-speed internet access, from 83.1% in 2021 to 84.8% in 2022. This supports online connectivity with both loved ones and health care professionals. Moreover, there was a 4.0% increase in geriatric clinicians between 2022 and 2023, including a 9.0% or more increase in six states: Tennessee (11%), Kentucky (10%), Oregon (10%), Nevada (10%), Delaware (9%), and Missouri (9%).
Despite this positive feedback, older adults still face challenges that influence their health and well-being. These factors include:
- The poverty rate increased 6% nationally from 10.3% to 10.9% between 2021 and 2022.
- The housing cost burden rose 3% nationally between 2021 and 2022, representing an increase of more than 741,000 households with older adults struggling with high housing costs.
- Food insecurity increased 8% between 2020 and 2021. This is the first increase among older adults since it peaked in 2014.
- The prevalence of depression increased 6% between 2021 and 2022, affecting more than 9.3 million older adults.
Older adults also face factors that increase their risk of social isolation. Between 2018 and 2022, the total number of older adults that were affected by these factors include:
- Being divorced, separated, or widowed: 21.0 million
- Having a disability: 17.7 million
- Living alone: 14.4 million
- Having difficulty living independently: 7.2 million
- Poverty: 5.3 million
- Never married: 3.5 million
Older adults with cognitive disability also had larger disparities in the prevalence of depression and frequent mental distress (FMD), compared to individuals without a disability. Among those with no disability, 9.5% had depression and 4.3% had FMD, particularly difficulty with cognition. Among those with cognitive difficulties, 44.3% had depression and 33.2% had FMD.
| Comparison Of Depression & Frequent Mental Distress (FMD) Based On Disability Status | ||
| Disability Status | % With Depression | % With FMD |
| Without A Disability | 9.5% | 4.3% |
| Difficulty With Cognition | 44.3% | 33.2% |
America’s Health Rankings, produced by the United Health Foundation, is the longest-running state-by-state analysis of the nation’s health. The report is developed in collaboration with an advisory committee to determine the selection of a comprehensive set of 52 measures from 24 distinct data sources. The goal is to improve population health by presenting a holistic view of health, provide a benchmark for states, highlight disparities, and stimulate action.
The UnitedHealth Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. The UnitedHealth Foundation works to improve the health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local communities through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts. To date, the UnitedHealth Foundation has committed nearly $800 million to programs and communities around the world, including a $100 million commitment to help diversify the health care workforce.
For more information, contact: United Health Foundation, UnitedHealth Group, Email: will.shanley@uhc.com; Website: https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/people-and-businesses/people-and-culture/our-foundations.html