As the population of the United States grows older, a new study warns that the country lacks the infrastructure and policy direction to meet the needs of its aging citizens.
The research by Northeastern University analyzes access to essential services for older adults across the U.S.
Researchers found that while some communities offer decent access, others face stark deficiencies—in some states like Arizona, up to 70% of high-aging communities lack sufficient services tailored to seniors.
“We predict that without a significant policy shift, many of the demands for the aging population in the society will not be met,” Ryan Wang, associate professor and vice chair for research of civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern, said in a press release.
In an email, Wang told Newsweek said the inspiration for the research “really hits close to home” for the professor.
“I would watch my own older relatives, my grandparents and now my parents, navigate their daily lives, and I saw firsthand how a simple trip to the doctor or the grocery store could become a major logistical challenge,” Wang said.
“It made me realize that it’s not just about whether a service exists nearby, but about the real-world, often invisible, barriers to getting there: the distance, the safety of the walk, the transportation options.
“I saw how these small, daily hurdles could chip away at their independence and well-being.”
Why It Matters
The country’s demographic transformation is not a distant concern.
As early as 2040, more than 20% of Americans will be 65 or older, according to federal projections. Without proactive urban planning and expanded services, seniors will face growing challenges accessing daily essentials, according to Northeastern’s findings.
The problem is not uniform—some states like Florida, with established aging policies, perform better.
“Florida demonstrates a consistently stronger and more positive association between its ageing population and access to essential services,” Wang told Newsweek.
“I think this can be attributed to Florida’s long-standing infrastructure and policy efforts targeted at older populations (they of course have a growing population of seniors) may be having a positive effect.”
However, some states—including California and Arizona—reveal inconsistent service access, even among similar high-aging populations.
In Arizona alone, 70% of high-aging communities were found to lack aging-specific services like nursing care or home health support, according to Wang.
“Another challenge is that many current policies are reactive rather than proactive,” Wang told Newsweek.
“Our projections show that the accessibility advantages some high-ageing communities currently enjoy are likely to decline by 2030 and 2060 as the elderly population grows.
“This indicates a potential for widening disparities if we don’t plan for the future. Without forward-looking policies that anticipate demographic shifts, we risk falling behind and failing to meet the increasing demand for services.”
What to Know
While the study surprisingly found no significant disparities in national-level service accessibility between older and younger communities, localized gaps are pronounced.
Wang said that city design will play a central role in any solution, citing the “15-minute city” model—where daily needs are reachable within a 15-minute walk or ride—as one approach.
What People Are Saying
“At this stage, we are not ready for the aging population,” Wang said in the release.
“Population aging is not a critical social issue at this point in the U.S. compared to some other countries—Korea, Japan some European countries—but that does not mean that it will stay like this.
“We predict that without a significant policy shift, many of the demands for the aging population in the society will not be met.”
What’s Next
As the population continues to age, service deserts could become more widespread unless addressed through policy and planning.
“It is important to know: ‘Longevity-ready cities aren’t about helping the elderly—they are about ensuring every one of us can move, thrive and survive,” Wang told Newsweek.
“Policies that improve walkability, access to health care and community services create a more livable and equitable environment for people of all ages. Everyone needs mobility to maintain their physical, mental and neurological health.”
The post America is Aging—and It’s Not Ready, Researchers Warn appeared first on Newsweek.
