The United States faces mounting challenges as its population ages, with new research indicating ⁤a critical lack of preparedness in providing equitable ⁤access ​to⁤ essential services for seniors. ⁢A recent study from ⁢Northeastern University highlights notable infrastructure and policy gaps that could impact‌ the ‌well-being of older Americans ‍in the coming decades.

The Looming demographic Shift

The U.S. ‍is experiencing ⁢a considerable increase⁣ in its older population. According to the U.S.Census Bureau, the number of Americans aged 65 and ​older grew significantly between 2020 and 2023 . This ‌trend is projected ⁢to accelerate,‌ with the number ​of individuals aged 60 and over ⁢worldwide expected to ‌reach ⁣1.4 billion ‌by 2030 . This demographic shift necessitates proactive planning to ensure adequate support for seniors.

“At this stage, we are not ready ‍for the⁣ aging population,” asserts Ryan wang,⁤ associate professor and vice chair for research of ‌civil and environmental engineering at northeastern. “Population aging isn’t a critical issue yet compared to countries like Korea or Japan, but that will change without significant policy adjustments.”

Uneven Access to Essential Services

Researchers ⁣analyzed mobility data, ‍census information, ⁤and environmental factors to⁢ assess access to grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and housing for older adults across the nation. ⁣Communities were categorized as​ “high-aging