In 2025, one in every five traffic deaths in Massachusetts involved a person walking. Of the 354 total traffic fatalities reported statewide, at least 76 were pedestrians, accounting for more than 21 percent of all deaths. These findings come from Fatal Pedestrian...
News: Data and Reports
New Research Outlines the Promises and Risks of AI Use in Home Care
The National Council on Aging (NCOA), through the ACL-funded Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center, has released a series of reports on using artificial intelligence (AI) in home care to support community living for older adult and people with disabilities. “A New...
Smart Growth America Releases ‘Dangerous by Design 2026’ Report
The annual Dangerous by Design report from Smart Growth America breaks down data from federal and the 101 largest metro areas on pedestrian safety. Along with providing updated rankings of the deadliest places for people walking, this year’s analysis shows that most...
AARP Report: Older Adults are Boosting the Economy for All
The Longevity Economy® Outlook reports are a series of data analyses from AARP that explore the wide-ranging impacts of the 50-plus population in the U.S. The 2026 report indicates that adults in this group accounted for $12.5 trillion in annual economic activity in...
National Poll on Healthy Aging Explores Health, Social Connections for LGBTQ+ Older Adults
New data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging from the University of Michigan finds that LGBTQ+ people over 50 face different rates of age-related challenges than people over 50 who are not LGBTQ+. According to the poll, LGBTQ+ people over 50 are more likely to...
Research Shows Immigrants Help Address the US Eldercare Shortage
A research paper in the American Journal of Health Economics determined that higher levels of immigration leads to registered nurses and other aides working more hours at nursing homes, without displacing already-employed caregivers, while patient outcomes improve....
Digital Equity Survey from AGE and MHAC is Now Open
The Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE) is partnering with MHAC on a survey to understand the current landscape of digital equity programs geared towards supporting older adults as well as needs across the Massachusetts Aging Network. Your responses...
UMass-Boston Research: Age friendly states as a linchpin of age friendly ecosystems
A research paper from UMass-Boston published in The Gerontologist provides analysis on 18 states and one U.S. territory with active or emergent age-friendly initiatives, including age-friendly state initiatives and state-level multi-sector plans on aging (MPAs). The...
2025 Status Report on Age-Friendly Central Mass. Action Plan Released by CMRPC
Since 2021, Central Massachusetts as a region has been recognized as an Age-Friendly community committed to improving quality of life for older residents. The 2023 Age-Friendly Central Mass Action Plan outlines strategies focused on transportation, community health,...
Help Include Healthy Aging, Age/Dementia Friendly Efforts in the Massachusetts Rural Policy Plan
Throughout May and June, members of the Massachusetts Rural Policy Commission will hold public engagement feedback sessions to hear your thoughts regarding the 2026 Massachusetts Rural Policy Plan draft. The Plan chapters address Economic Development, Education,...