Introduction

Executive Brief Introduction National HighlightsFindingsHealth Outcomes Social and Economic Factors Physical Environment Clinical Care State RankingsAppendixMeasures Table Data Source Descriptions MethodologyState Summaries

US Summary

2024 Senior Report 2024 Senior Report – Executive Brief 2024 Senior Report – State Summaries 2024 Senior Report – Risk of Social Isolation County-Level Maps 2024 Senior Report – Measures Table 2024 Senior Report – Infographics 2024 Senior Report – Report Data (All States)

The United Health Foundation is proud to release the America’s Health Rankings® 2024 Senior Report, which provides a portrait of the health and well-being of older adults across the United States.
This report highlights factors that drive the health and well-being of older adults, such as economic conditions, social connectedness and access to health care.
High-speed internet access in older adult households continued to improve nationwide, along with the number of geriatric clinicians and the prevalence of teeth extractions. In addition, the early death rate decreased after two years of record-high pandemic-era increases. Despite this, the early death rate has not yet declined to pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, older adults faced rising rates of poverty, housing costs and food insecurity. These economic drivers of health pose significant hurdles to achieving optimal health and well-being. Several other measures worsened including frequent physical distress, high health status, motor vehicle deaths and insufficient sleep, reversing pandemic-era improvements. Meanwhile, drug deaths continued to rise, with striking disparities by race and ethnicity.
Between 2021 and 2022, the nation experienced a notable rise in the population of adults age 65 and older, with an increase of more than 1.9 million individuals during this time. In 2022, roughly 17.3% of the U.S. population was age 65 and older, totaling nearly 58 million people. The proportion of adults age 65 and older will continue to rise as the last of the baby boomers turn 65 in 2030. As the older American population continues to grow and become more diverse, it is increasingly important to focus on factors that drive the health and well-being of older adults, such as economic conditions, social connectedness and access to health care.
For the first time, this year’s Senior Report examined health disparities based on disability status, sexual orientation and veteran status. These analyses uncovered significant differences in older adult behavioral health. Notably, the data revealed a high prevalence of depression and frequent mental distress among those with disabilities — particularly difficulty with cognition — compared with those without disabilities. Additionally, this year’s report further explored the state of older adults' social support, safety and well-being with the addition of three new measures: unpaid elder care, internet crime and functional disability. 
Finally, the report analyzes the health of older adults on a state-by-state basis. Older adults comprise a much larger share of the population in some states than in others. In 2022, Maine had the highest proportion of adults age 65 and older (22.5%) and Utah had the lowest (12.0%). Strengths, challenges and disparities were present in every state, no matter the size of the older adult population. 
It is essential that the policymakers, community leaders and public health officials who work to safeguard and improve the health of older Americans consider these measures collectively, as each measure both influences and is influenced by other measures of health and factors that affect older adults’ everyday lives. We encourage these leaders to use the data in this report to guide their efforts to connect older adults with resources in their communities and address these health challenges.
For the first time, this year’s Senior Report examined health disparities based on disability status, sexual orientation and veteran status.
Objective
America’s Health Rankings informs and drives action to build healthier communities by offering credible, trusted data that can guide efforts to improve population health and health care. To achieve this, the report is developed in collaboration with an advisory committee to determine the selection of a comprehensive set of measures. The 2024 Senior Report is based on:
Fifty-two measures. These include 35 ranking and 17 additional measures (not included in a state’s overall rank). Three new measures are introduced this year: functional disability, internet crime and unpaid elder care. For a full list of measures, definitions and source details, see the Measures Table.
Five categories of health. These are comprised of Health Outcomes and four categories that are determinants of health: Social and Economic Factors, Physical Environment, Behaviors and Clinical Care. 
Twenty-four sources. Data are from many sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Feeding America and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. 
The America’s Health Rankings Senior Report aims to improve population health by:
Presenting a holistic view of health. This report goes beyond measures of clinical care and health behaviors by considering social, economic and physical environment measures, reflecting the impact of social determinants of health. 
Providing a benchmark for states. Since 2013, the report has presented strengths, challenges and highlights for every state and the District of Columbia. Public health advocates can monitor health trends over time and compare their state with other states and the nation. State Summaries containing data on all 35 ranking measures are available as a separate download. 
Highlighting disparities. The report shows differences in health between states and among demographic groups at state and national levels, with groupings based on race/ethnicity, gender, age, education, income and metropolitan status. This year’s report adds disability status, sexual orientation and veteran status as new demographic groups. Also new this year, State Summaries feature disparity ratios for select measures. Values were compared within demographic groups using 95% confidence intervals. Statistically significant differences between the highest and lowest estimates are presented in this report as disparity ratios. These disparity analyses often reveal differences among groups that national or state aggregate data may mask.
Stimulating action. The report aims to drive change and improve health by drawing attention to trends and disparities and promoting data-driven discussions among individuals, community leaders, public health workers, policymakers and the media. States can incorporate population insights into their annual review of programs, and many organizations use it as a reference when assigning goals for health improvement plans. 
This report presents significant disparities as ratios between the highest and lowest national values within demographic groups. For details on demographic group definitions and limitations, including the new disability status, sexual orientation and veteran status, please refer to the Appendix. Information on data sources, methodology and additional measures is also available.
Model for Measuring America’s Health
America’s Health Rankings is built upon the World Health Organization’s definition of health: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The model was developed under the guidance of the America’s Health Rankings Advisory Council and Committees, with insights from other rankings and health models, particularly County Health Rankings & Roadmaps and Healthy People. The model serves as a framework across all America’s Health Rankings reports for identifying and quantifying the drivers and outcomes that impact state and national population health.
Healthy People 2030
Healthy People 2030 is a program led by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that sets data-driven national objectives for the nation’s health and well-being over the next decade, with a key focus on addressing the social determinants of health and working toward health equity. For nearly five decades, Healthy People's national-level objectives have served as valuable benchmarks for advancing health and well-being at the state level. It also provides data to track the nation’s progress toward achieving those goals as well as tools that help guide individuals, organizations and communities to do so.
As a longstanding champion of public health and the HHS Healthy People goals, the United Health Foundation is honored to be recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.
The America’s Health Rankings platform exemplifies the United Health Foundation’s commitment to this vision, drawing attention to the cornerstones of public health and providing a roadmap to better understand the health of various populations. The platform reflects nearly 35 years of data and analysis and supports the United Health Foundation’s mission of helping build healthier communities.
America’s Health Rankings measures progress against Healthy People goals and toward health equity by focusing on data collection, coordination and standardization that enable comparisons across geographies and demographic groups. The 2024 Senior Report highlights progress toward Healthy People 2030 targets through the report.


Healthy People 2030 Champion is a service mark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Used with permission. Participation by United Health Foundation does not imply endorsement by HHS/ODPHP.

The United Health Foundation is proud to release the America’s Health Rankings® 2024 Senior Report, which provides a portrait of the health and well-being of older adults across the United States.

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