ABSTRACT
This presentation will include insights on healthy aging based on data obtained from multiple recent AARP surveys fielded among nationally representative samples of midlife and older adults. Samples were weighted to reflect population estimates (i.e., gender, ethnicity, etc.). Studies also included oversamples of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino respondents when possible, enabling enhanced analyses. This multi-analysis presentation will provide valuable insights on healthy aging in general, the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the older populations' ability to maintain healthy habits, and how our "new normal” suggests the need to reimagine healthy aging. This presentation will showcase exciting new findings from AARP Research on diet, exercise, resiliency, and mental health, among others. Augmented with qualitative data, this presentation will also allow participants to hear the voices of older adults on these issues. Additionally, new data collected in late fall 2022 will provide a preview of up-to-the-minute insights.
ABSTRACT
Since 2017, the National Poll on Healthy Aging (NPHA) has surveyed older adults on a vast array of topics related to health, health care and health policy. With robust nationally representative samples of 2,000 adults age 50-80, the poll's format allows for the fielding of timely questions with important public health and policy implications. For example, polls examining delayed care during the COVID-19 pandemic and experiences of physical deconditioning and falls helped to demonstrate the ways in which the pandemic may have long-lasting effects if strategies are not implemented to address them. In this presentation we will discuss how the NPHA has increased awareness of the facilitators and barriers to healthy aging and where gaps exist in supporting older adults to live with optimal health and well-being. This presentation will also describe how researchers can access publicly available NPHA data to inspire their own future research.