The Massachusetts Trails Team (MassTrails) is pleased to announce the release of a new interactive Priority Trails Network vision map for current and future shared-use path projects throughout the Commonwealth. This tool could be useful to communities and regions...
News: Data and Reports
McKinsey Health Institute Reports on How Older Adults View Healthy Aging
A new McKinsey Health Institute (MHI) survey of more than 21,000 older adults (defined as those aged 55 and older) across 21 countries finds that respondents largely agree about the importance of having purpose, managing stress, enjoying meaningful connections with...
Boston Public Health Commission Report Highlights Disparities in Life Expectancy Between City Neighborhoods
The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) recently announced the release of several issue-based Health of Boston reports. The Health of Boston reports compiled by BPHC examine the city’s health trends and the health status of residents. BPHC utilizes the data and...
Smart Growth America Releases Report on Best ‘Complete Street’ Policies of 2023
In their annually-released report, Smart Growth America scores the strongest Complete Street policies from across the country. Complete Streets policies are a jurisdiction’s formal commitment to fund, plan for, construct, operate, and maintain their streets so they...
US Surgeon General Creates National Framework to Advance Social Connection
The Surgeon General has created a Framework for a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection. This details the critical and actionable next steps that individuals, communities, organizations, and governments can take to foster social connection. According to the...
UMass-Boston’s Gerontology Institute Examines Elder Economic Security in Massachusetts
UMass-Boston's Gerontology Institute, building on their recent report with a national view that compares elder economic security, released a new update with a focus on Massachusetts. New estimates from the 2022 Elder IndexTM reveal that the cost of living in...
Study from NCOA, LTSS Center @UMass-Boston Reveal Financial Security Challenges for Older Adults
Despite modest increases in income and household assets for the "middle" 40% of older adults in the U.S., 80% of older adults in the U.S. would be unable to absorb a financial shock such as long-term services and supports, according to research by the LTSS Center...
AARP Livable Communities Team Releases New Handouts and Resources
In their latest newsletter, AARP Livable Communities released an updated handout that displays their library of resources to support cities, towns, regions and states working to become more age-friendly. For stakeholders just getting started, AARP also announced...
New 2023 County Health Rankings and Roadmap Released
With a focus on the connection between civic health and thriving people and places, the new 2023 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps (CHR&R) Report brings actionable data, evidence, guidance and stories to support community-led efforts to grow community power and...
Annual Progress Report Released for Massachusetts State Plan on Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias
During calendar year 2022, the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and All Other Dementias continued its work to implement the recommendations presented in the Massachusetts State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, April 2021 (state plan). This...