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Report
Disrupting Disparities in Pennsylvania Retooling for Geographic, Racial and Ethnic Growth [White paper]
2021
Abstract
Pennsylvania is growing older and very quickly. The Commonwealth faces an unprecedented demographic shift similar to the super aging of our country and that of the world. Of its 12,801,989 residents, 40% are 50 years of age and older and 18.7% are over the age of 65. The Commonwealth is ranked eighth in the USA in terms of the percent of its population who are 65 and older and the number of older adults is expected to exponentially increase as 79% of the population is greater than 18 years of age. This dramatic demographic trend has significant impact for all aspects of society, including—ensuring healthy aging for all its residents.
Currently, most older Pennsylvanians live in rural areas, are primarily White and low income, and reside in areas with a high dependency index. However, in a short 20 years, there will be a dramatic demographic shift in the state with exponential growth in the aging population, particularly in the southeastern portion of the state. This region, anchored by Philadelphia, is the most populous and racially and ethnically diverse, and has a greater proportion of aging individuals living in poverty and with poor access to health care.
While an aging population brings important opportunities, it also ushers in critical challenges. The key challenge facing Pennsylvania concerns historical and persistent structural health disparities. Health disparities are particularly noted among those living in rural and low-resourced areas of the state and among underrepresented minority communities (Black/African American and Latino), all of whom lack access to health care and culturally appropriate, evidence-based health promoting and chronic disease management practices. COVID-19 has exacerbated deep-seated disparities and has further revealed the necessity of providing access to health care through technologies (telehealth), as well as the need to prepare a health care workforce to be culturally competent and provide care differently. Solutions to help disrupt health disparities impacting the 50+ population in Pennsylvania are urgently needed. The time is now to assure that all individuals are able to live long and healthy lives with life quality, regardless of where they live or their racial/ethnic background.
This first report on Disrupting Disparities in Pennsylvania for people 50+ provides an understanding of geographic and racial/ethnic disparities in the state along key health indicators and offers actionable solutions. It draws upon interviews with key stakeholders, a comprehensive literature review, and analyses of databases on the health of Pennsylvanians. As COVID-19 has increased awareness of the role and importance of telehealth, the report also examines equity as it concerns access to broadband internet and telehealth care. To address health disparities, a critical consideration is the preparation of the health care workforce, including health professionals and direct care workers. New competencies are needed for a health care workforce to become culturally competent and be able to provide services that help prevent and manage chronic conditions that enable individuals to have long and purposeful lives.
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Details
- Title
- Disrupting Disparities in Pennsylvania Retooling for Geographic, Racial and Ethnic Growth [White paper]
- Creators
- Rose A DiMaria-Ghalili - Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health ProfessionsAngela Foreshaw-Rouse - AARP Pennsylvania (United States, Philadelphia)Martha Caitlin Coates - Drexel University, Doctoral NursingZachary Hathaway - Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health ProfessionsJana A Hirsch - Drexel University, Epidemiology and BiostatisticsSarah Wetzel - Drexel UniversityYaegin Park - Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health ProfessionsBill Johnston-Walsh - AARP Pennsylvania (United States, Philadelphia)Kate Clark - Drexel University, Accelerated Career Entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)Laura N Gitlin - Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health Professions
- Publisher
- AARP Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 55
- Resource Type
- Report
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing and Health Professions; Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health; Doctoral Nursing; Accelerated Career Entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Urban Health Collaborative
- Identifiers
- 991021873114204721