Across the country, state leaders are recognizing the need to plan for the upcoming demographic shift, in which by 2030 adults ages 65 and older will outnumber children for the first time in history, according to the U.S. Census. To capitalize on the benefits older adults can provide to their communities, as well as ensure that everyone has the resources and support necessary to age well, states are developing multisector plans for aging (MPAs). As of September 2024, nine states have developed plans and dozens more are working toward a plan.
While the MPA development process involves many steps, including securing leadership buy-in, convening stakeholder input, developing goals and recommendations, and collecting feedback on the plan, one crucial element is to ensure the plan is data driven. Gathering and using data throughout the MPA development process is necessary to tailor the plan to the unique needs of a state’s population, to develop benchmarks against which to compare progress, and to help provide accountability mechanisms to fulfill the plan’s intended goals.
Data is needed before and throughout the MPA development process in the following ways:
- Before developing can begin on an MPA, compiling data allows plan creators and state leaders to learn about their populations. For example, understanding a population’s demographic makeup provides a snapshot of the state and can help identify gaps and opportunities for the MPA to consider. This step also can uncover challenges that may affect certain demographics/communities, indicating how they are being served and what their needs are.
- During MPA development, data is needed to provide baseline measurements and indicators for the plans’ goals and recommendations.
- Ongoing: Because MPAs are 10+ year plans, data needs to be used continuously, even after the plan is developed, to track progress over time.
While aggregating data—especially at a granular level—can be difficult, several states are leading the way. Specifically, California and Tennessee have developed dashboards to display the data driving their MPA progress.
The California Data Dashboard for Aging was developed by the California Department of Aging (CDA), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and West Health, offering a way for the public to track the MPA’s impact on topics that affect older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers.
‘Because MPAs are 10+ year plans, data needs to be used continuously, even after the plan is developed.’
The dashboard includes measures tracked over time, equity-related scores, multilevel geographic data, and potential drivers of key issues. Examples of these measures include the homelessness rate and prevalence of psychological distress among older adults, and the frequency and type of burden faced by family caregivers. The dashboard’s ability to sort many measures at the county-level is also beneficial, as viewers can examine how the state is doing across geographies and more granular populations. Users can seamlessly access high quality demographic data across different time periods as well. Plan developers continue to explore ways to fill data gaps in critical areas, including identifying proxy or alternative metrics, and working with key data sources like the California Health Interview Survey to bolster data collection efforts.
Tennessee’s MPA data dashboard was developed through a joint effort between the Tennessee Division of TennCare and the East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research. The data dashboard provides a user-friendly format that can allow policymakers and stakeholders to access and analyze data in an interactive manner. For example, data can be displayed in map form, which allows users to quickly compare measures across the state. This function also allows users to see any differences in what data is (and isn’t) available across counties. Additionally, the dashboard provides comprehensive aging-related data and statistics that help paint a picture of a person’s full life experiences and potential needs, such as demographics, health and well-being, economic security, social engagement, and community support.
Examples of specific measures include English language speaking skill for those ages 65 or older and chronic disease prevalence. The dashboard also includes a geographic distribution of various types of healthcare facilities across the state, which can allow viewers to identify facilities near them and recognize areas that may have a shortage of facilities/providers.
While California and Tennessee are great examples of states using the power of data to support efforts aimed at improving the aging experience, other states are also on their way to creating their own MPA dashboards. For example, Longevity Ready Maryland (Maryland’s MPA) is developing placeholders for four epic goals on its dashboard, as well as outlining demographic data. Its dashboard will include additional helpful functions, including population predictions, a rural vs. urban index, and a longevity index that can inform county-level policymakers.
North Carolina will soon publish its MPA dashboard providing an in-depth view of its older population and demographic county-level dives. For phase two of its dashboard, metrics will be aligned with the four goals and eight priorities of its MPA.
In an era of demographic change, data-driven planning is critical for embracing opportunities that arise with an aging population. States like California and Tennessee are leading the way by leveraging data dashboards for their MPAs. These tools provide a way to measure progress, track accountability, and highlight gaps. While aggregating and collecting granular data can be difficult, it is necessary, as it’s impossible to improve what can’t be measured. Thus, ensuring that MPAs and other efforts aimed at improving aging are rooted in concrete and quality data will enable states to better prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Amy Herr, MHS, PMP, is director of Health Policy for the nonprofit, nonpartisan West Health Policy Center in Washington, DC. Elvira Makk Frid, MPP, is a research associate at West Health Policy Center. Mary Gens, MPP, is senior research associate at West Health.
Photo credit: Shutterstock: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A
