As Rhode Island ages, inequities continue, economics worsen for some
G. Wayne Miller
PROVIDENCE – The population of Rhode Islanders age 60 and older continues to grow, and as it does, some economic, racial and health disparities also persist or increase, a new study underwritten by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation and released on Tuesday has found.
The study, “Healthy Aging Data Report,” provides detailed community-by-community analyses intended to help organizations, foundations and others address inequities.
Among the key findings, according to the report:
• “Rhode Islanders are more diverse and the older population is growing.” In 2020, there are more than 240,000 Rhode Islanders age 60 and older.
• “Rhode Island has the highest percentage of older people ages 85 and older in New England,” and the third-highest percentage in America.
• “Deep and historic inequities plague Rhode Island. Where a resident lives and what resources they have access to directly affects their health and quality of life, particularly for communities of color and the LGBTQIA+ community.”
• “The economic status of the older population is worsening, and this was true even before the pandemic.” According to the report, the percentage of people 65 and older “with income below the poverty line increased to 9.5%, up from 8.6% in 2016.”
• “The percentage of adults age 60 and older who received food benefits increased to 15%,” compared to 11.9% in 2016.
As other demographic studies have also shown, zip code is a significant factor in health and economic inequities. Using health indicators including access to care, behavioral and mental health, oral health, chronic disease, and caregiving, the report found that Providence, Woonsocket and Central Falls fared worse than the state averages.
“This report helps us identify important patterns of health behaviors, resources, disease and disparities in the way Rhode Islanders are aging,” said Catherine Taylor, executive director at Age Friendly Rhode Island, a Rhode Island College Initiative. “The key to healthy aging is to invest in community-level efforts to improve access to health care, expand services and support behaviors known to reduce the risks of disease and disability.”
Wrote Gov. Gina Raimondo in the report’s introduction: “While we are fortunate to have programs in place — Rhode Island was one of the first states to implement an adult immunization program, offering nearly all CDC recommended vaccines, the Office of Healthy Aging’s CareBreaks Program was recognized as an Innovative & Exemplary Respite Program by the ARCH National Respite Network and Rhode Island was one of the first states in the nation to offer paid leave for family caregivers — there is still much work to be done.”
Data were compiled and analyzed by scientists with the Gerontology Institute of the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. The team relied on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The full report, including interactive mas and infographics, is at https://bit.ly/3goBcyC
