A US State Index of Successful Aging: Differences Between States and Over Time

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Successful aging is influenced by social contexts, including productivity, security, and equity.
• No comprehensive index exists to measure US state-level progress in supporting successful aging.
• Existing frameworks for successful aging need adaptation for state-level evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply a multidimensional index to assess US state adaptation to societal aging.
• To evaluate the contexts supporting successful aging across all 50 US states and the District of Columbia.
• To provide a tool for monitoring state progress in promoting the well-being of aging populations.

Main Methods:

• Adapted a multidimensional index for assessing successful aging.
• Utilized data from multiple sources for all 50 US states and the District of Columbia (2003-2017).
• Measured five domains: productivity and engagement, security, equity, cohesion, and well-being.

Main Results:

• Significant variability in successful aging adaptation was observed between states and over time.
• Top-ranked states in 2017 included Vermont, Hawaii, Iowa, Colorado, and New Hampshire.
• States like Mississippi, South Carolina, Iowa, Arizona, and Delaware showed the greatest improvement from 2003 to 2017.

Conclusions:

• The US State Index of Successful Aging offers a reliable measure for tracking progress.
• State policies and local economic conditions appear to significantly impact adaptations to societal aging.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the specific factors driving changes in the index.