Health Disparities and Older Adults

Delving deeper into the issue of health equity, the Missouri Foundation for Health recently released Older Adult Health Disparities in Missouri. The report examines the physical and mental health issues faced by older adults along with barriers to quality care. As noted, by 2030, 21 percent of the population in Missouri will be 65 or older, compared with 14 percent in 2011. Given this demographic shift and the health challenges faced by this group, the report puts forward a number of service and policy options to better support the health and quality of life of older Americans.

The report is part of a Health Equity Series that also examines health disparities among African Americans, Hispanics, and the LGBT community.