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...
News: Data and Reports
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,...
Mitigating Coverage Loss Due to Work Requirements and More Frequent Renewals: Recommended Outreach and Engagement Strategies
New federal requirements resulting from the July 2025 passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (known as “OB3”) make fundamental changes to Medicaid eligibility. Under these changes, certain adult Medicaid members must comply with new and complex work reporting...
Study Links ‘Housing Distress’ with Increased Risk in Physical and Psychological Health Issues
Research published in Social Science and Medicine (SSM) Population Health and promoted by the National Low-Income Housing Coalition shows a correlation between "housing distress" and increased risk in physical and psychological health problems. Housing distress among...
New Poll Data Shows Perceptions on Relationship between Physical Health, Lifestyle Behaviors and Brain Health
The latest edition of Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures contains a special report, based on a survey conducted in partnership with IHPI's National Poll on Healthy Aging. Titled "Brain Health in America: Understanding and Supporting Lifelong Cognitive Health," the...
‘Discovering the Happy Factor’ Report Released by CMRPC
The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC), which leads the Age-Friendly Central Massachusetts initiative covering 40 cities and towns, recently released a report, "Discovering the Happy Factor" that examines how civic involvement impacts happiness...