About the Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging
As the nation's 10th most populous state, and with 1 in 4 residents projected to be over the age of 60 by 2030, Michigan has a pressing need to understand the knowledge, experiences, and opinions of its older residents around health and well-being.
Starting in May 2024, the Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging will regularly tap into the perspectives of Michiganders age 50 and older on a wide range of health-related topics, with support from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. The poll grew out of, and uses the same infrastructure as, the National Poll on Healthy Aging that has been run by the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation since 2017, with support from AARP and Michigan Medicine.
Several times a year, the IHPI team will compile brief reports featuring Michigan-specific findings, and will release them with reports on national poll findings. The team will also release Michigan-focused interactive data graphics.
The Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging welcomes anyone with an interest in issues affecting older adults in the state to sign up to receive email alerts about new poll findings.
Michigan Findings
POLL REPORT
Lack of close friends linked to worse health & loneliness among older Michiganders
Poll also shows the role of close friends in supporting healthy habits and encouraging getting symptoms or health issues checked out
POLL EXTRA
COVID-19 hits older adults hardest; which ones want the updated vaccine?
Poll shows people age 50 to 64, those over 50 who live with children, and other groups may need more encouragement from clinicians and other sources to get vaccinated
POLL REPORT
Older Michiganders more likely than other older Americans to use cannabis
A higher percentage of adults age 50 and older report potential signs of addiction to cannabis in Michigan, compared with rest of nation
POLL EXTRA
Most older adults don’t know about resources that can help them navigate aging & caregiving
Poll shows need to build awareness of Area Agencies on Aging, State Health Insurance Assistance Programs and options for long-term services and supports
POLL EXTRA
Caregiving: Poll reveals who’s providing care and who they’re caring for
National and Michigan data also show many think the government should have a leading role in covering the cost of caregiving
POLL REPORT
Many older Michiganders are financially stressed, especially those in pre-retirement years and those with health issues
People in their 50s and early 60s, and those who say they’re in fair or poor physical or mental health, are more likely to say they have cut their spending in the past year, including health costs
POLL REPORT
Health care costs rise to top of older Michiganders’ community health concerns
Costs of different types of care, and of prescription drugs and insurance, rated as topics of highest concern among people 50 and older
POLL REPORT
Nearly 1 in 3 older Michiganders became scam victims in last two years
Some groups appear more vulnerable, and vast majority of Michigan older adults say policymakers and companies should do more to protect people from scammers
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In 2023, the NPHA team established a partnership with the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to develop a Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging based on a representative sample of adults in Michigan.