Tag Archives for CDC

New Detailed Aging Report Will Help Officials, Policymakers

Published in RINewsToday on May 17,2025


By Herb Weiss

In an era of tightening budgets and shrinking federal and state resources for aging programs, legislators, service providers, and advocates now have access to vital data that can help identify and address the unmet needs of older adults in their communities.

Just over a week ago, the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston released the latest Healthy Aging Data Reports (HADR), funded by the Point32Health Foundation. These reports offer a comprehensive, neighborhood-level view of aging in America—insights often unavailable from other sources.

Rhode Island’s updated report, released on May 1, 2025, follows previous editions published in 2016 and 2020. This year’s release also includes updates for Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and introduces a first-time report for Maine. The HADR team is now expanding its reach to additional regions, including parts of the Deep South (such as Mississippi) and the West (including Wyoming).

“This is what’s magical about our report: we provide data at very local levels,” says Dr. Elizabeth Dugan, principal investigator and associate professor of gerontology at UMass Boston. “That empowers local advocates, helps policymakers make smarter investments, and allows philanthropists to assess the impact of their contributions,” she says.

The Rhode Island report features 41 community profiles—covering each city and town, along with two neighborhoods in Providence. Drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Medicare Summary Beneficiary Files, the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and state health departments, the report highlights disparities that may be hidden in broader state- or county-level statistics.

“What’s powerful about this approach is that we can observe health outcomes that vary dramatically even within a 10-minute walk in the same city,” adds Dugan.

Spotlight on Rhode Island

Several key findings emerged from the 2025 Rhode Island report:

  • Health: Rhode Island ranks highest in New England for rates of high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and peripheral hearth disease, stroke, multiple chronic conditions (four or more), and anxiety disorders.
  • Gender Disparities: Women experience anxiety and depression at rates 15% higher than men and are also more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and PTSD.
  • Housing: Roughly 39% of older renters spend more than 35% of their income on housing. Additionally, 46% of Rhode Islanders aged 65 and older report annual incomes under $50,000.

“The Rhode Island Healthy Aging Data Reports are invaluable,” says Maureen Maigret, Policy Advisor for the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island and a member of several state aging commissions. “They provide essential data down to the ZIP code level, which is useful for legislative testimony, policy recommendations, program planning, and grant writing.”

With Rhode Island’s older adult population rising from 16.5% in 2020 to 18% in 2025, this data is more critical than ever. “The report shows how age and racial diversity vary widely across communities,” Maigret says, noting that in some smaller towns, older adults now make up over 30% of the population.

Maigret notes that availability of localized data helps municipalities develop comprehensive plans and adopt age-friendly strategies. Interactive maps within the report allow comparisons with state averages, making it easier to target resources where they are most needed.

The report also reveals demographic shifts, including a rise in the Hispanic older adult population—from 4.9% in 2020 to 5.9% in 2025. “There are significant racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes,” says Maigret. “Black and Hispanic older adults are more likely to be dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and to be enrolled in Medicare managed care,” she says.

As lawmakers navigate complex budget negotiations and potential changes to federal programs such as the Administration for Community Living, Medicaid, and the CDC, Maigret stresses the importance of leveraging this data in decision-making.

“Despite the growth in our older population and increasing reports of elder abuse, neglect, and substandard nursing home care, the Office of Healthy Aging’s budget has remained relatively flat,” she warns. “With half of its funding coming from the federal government, proposed cuts could seriously undermine vital programs such as the Long-Term Care Ombudsman,” she adds.

The report also shines a light on mental health, showing high rates of depression and anxiety—especially among older women. Maigret believes this supports increased investment in the 988 mental health crisis line and other behavioral health services.

Another notable trend is the continued shift toward Medicare managed care, now covering more than half of Rhode Islanders aged 65 and older. While rates of arthritis and depression have increased, the report also notes a decline in nursing home stays, inpatient admissions, emergency room visits, and several chronic conditions such as diabetes, COPD, hypertension, and heart disease.

Since the 2020 report, communities have taken meaningful steps to support aging in place. “The Village Common of RI has built age-friendly communities that enable older adults to live independently with the care and resources needed to promote health and well-being,” says Maigret. “There are now 11 local villages across 14 communities, supported by trained volunteers who help members stay connected and independent.”

Data Driving Policy and Innovation

Marie E. Cimini, MSW, Director of the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging, says the HADR report has broad implications. “As a state agency, we must lead with policies that prioritize inclusion, access, and dignity throughout the aging journey.”

“The report reinforces our commitment to advancing the goals outlined in the RI 2030 Plan, especially around expanding in-home care, supporting workforce development, and strengthening behavioral health services,” Cimini continues. “But it also challenges us to go further—to integrate aging into every aspect of public life and ensure that the voices of older adults inform policy at every level.”

For Meghan Grady, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island (MOWRI), one of the most important takeaways is the persistence of health disparities, particularly in managing chronic conditions. Grady supports legislation introduced by Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38) and Rep. Justine Caldwell (D-Dist. 30) to integrate medically tailored meals into healthcare delivery. “This report validates our advocacy,” she says. “Food is a fundamental part of care, especially for aging populations facing health disparities.”

The HADR report is also proving instrumental for nonprofit organizations. “We use the data in community presentations, grant proposals, and to guide our work in promoting health equity,” says Debra Burton, Executive Director of RI Elder Info. “With so much uncertainty around policy and funding for programs that impact older adults and caregivers, this data helps us identify where changes will have the greatest impact,” she says.

James Connell, Executive Director of Age-Friendly RI, agrees. “The Healthy Aging Data Report is extraordinarily helpful for nonprofits across sectors. I used it to support funding for a home-share program that pairs older homeowners with individuals facing housing insecurity—a creative approach to our state’s housing crisis,” he says.

“The ’25 Healthy Aging Report provides vital indicators of older adult well-being that are essential for policymaking, intentional planning, and program development,” says Connell. “The data highlight serious concerns about the mental and emotional health of our community, with one in three Rhode Islanders experiencing anxiety and/or depression.” Connell also emphasizes the report’s finding that women are disproportionately affected, calling it “a clear call to action for improved screening and more accessible treatment options.”

Greg Shell, Chair of the Point32Health Foundation Board of Directors, emphasizes the value of data in shaping policy. “When we use data to guide our work, we can change policies and practices, engage communities, and highlight what truly matters,” he says. “These reports are essential tools in making New England a better place to grow up and grow old.”

The research team behind the Healthy Aging Data Reports includes: Principal Investigator Elizabeth Dugan, PhD, along with Nina Silverstein, PhD; Qian Song, PhD; Taylor Jansen, PhD; Jay Lee, PhD; Yan-Jhu Su, PhD; Han Lin, PhD; Shan Qu, MS; Tiffany Tang, BS; Jeannine Johnson, PhD; Amanda Cox, MS; and Mengshi Liu.

To access the 2025 Rhode Island Healthy Aging Data Report, visit https://healthyagingdatareports.org/ri/rhode-island-healthy-aging-data-report.

HHS Shake-Up Sends Shockwaves Through Aging Network

Published on April 31, 2025

Taking a page from President Donald J. Trump’s to “Make America Great Again,” last week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a major restructuring of the federal agency to “Make America Healthy Again.” The dramatic restructuring in accordance with Trump’s Executive Order, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under management of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., last week announced a major restructuring and renaming of the federal agency under the initiative “Make America Healthy Again.” This dramatic reorganization follows Trump’s Executive Order, Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.

“We aren’t just reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in a statement announcing the massive overhaul. “This Department will do more—much more—at a lower cost to taxpayers.”

“Over time, bureaucracies like HHS become wasteful and inefficient, even when most of their staff are dedicated and competent civil servants,” Kennedy added. “This overhaul will be a win-win for taxpayers and those HHS serves. That’s the entire American public, because our goal is to Make America Healthy Again.”

During the Biden administration, HHS’s budget increased by 38%, and its staffing grew by 17%, prompting the new HHS chief to place the federal agency on the budgetary chopping block.

According to HHS, this restructuring will not impact critical services while saving taxpayers $1.8 billion per year through a reduction of approximately 10,000 full-time employees. When combined with other cost-cutting initiatives, including early retirement, and the Fork in the Road program, the total downsizing will reduce HHS’s workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 employees.

HHS also plans to streamline departmental functions. Currently, the agency’s 28 divisions contain redundant units. Under the restructuring plan announced on March 27, 2025, these units will be consolidated into 15 new divisions, including a newly created Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). Additionally, core organizational functions—such as Human Resources, Information Technology, Procurement, External Affairs, and Policy—will be centralized. The number of regional offices will be cut from 10 to five.

As part of the restructuring, several agencies will see workforce reductions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will cut approximately 3,500 full-time employees, focusing on streamlining operations and centralizing administrative functions, though HHS asserts these reductions will not affect drug, medical device, or food reviewers, nor inspectors.

Similarly, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will downsize by approximately 2,400 employees, refocusing its efforts on epidemic and outbreak response. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will eliminate 1,200 positions by centralizing procurement, human resources, and communications across its 27 institutes and centers. Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will cut around 300 positions, targeting minor duplication within the agency. HHS insists these changes will not impact Medicare or Medicaid services, but improve them.

Restructuring HHS to Focus on Chronic Illness Prevention

HHS’s overhaul aligns with the agency’s new priority of ending America’s chronic illness epidemic by focusing resources on ensuring safe, wholesome food, clean water, and the elimination of environmental toxins.

The Administration for a Healthy America (AHA) will consolidate five agencies—the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health—into a single entity. This unification aims to enhance health resource coordination for low-income Americans, emphasizing primary care, maternal and child health, mental health, environmental health, HIV/AIDS, and workforce development.

Additionally, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, responsible for national disaster and public health emergency response, will be transferred to the CDC to strengthen its core mission of protecting Americans from health threats.

To combat waste, fraud, and abuse, HHS will create a new Assistant Secretary for Enforcement, overseeing the Departmental Appeals Board, the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals, and the Office for Civil Rights.

Furthermore, HHS will merge the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to form the Office of Strategy, enhancing research to inform policy decisions.
Critical programs under the Administration for Community Living (ACL), which supports older adults and people with disabilities, will be integrated into other HHS agencies, including the Administration for Children and Families, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). HHS assures that these changes will not impact Medicare or Medicaid services.

Sounding the Alarm

Following the announcement of HHS’s restructuring plans, which would broad without a lot of detail, aging advocacy groups quickly released statements to voice strong concerns.

“For decades, the federal health programs that retirees and people with disabilities depend on have been ably administered under both Democratic and Republican administrations. However, the radical cutbacks proposed by the Trump administration place the delivery of these programs in jeopardy,” warned Dan Adcock, Director of Government Relations & Policy at the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM).

Adcock also noted that HHS plans to eliminate the ALC and divide its responsibilities between two offices with no prior experience in this area. “This administration has already demonstrated a reckless disregard for public interests in favor of slashing operations and staff under the guise of ‘efficiency,’” he added. “So far, all they have done is create chaos and confusion, disrupting essential programs for seniors and the disabled. We view Secretary Kennedy’s plans with alarm.”

Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer at AARP, also urged HHS to prioritize older Americans’ health needs. “HHS must ensure access to senior centers, community health centers, nutritious meals, Medicare assistance, and other vital services that countless older Americans rely on. Health is central to the lives, well-being, and financial security of AARP’s members and the more than 100 million Americans over age 50,” she emphasized.

Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of the John A. Hartford Foundation, echoed these concerns. “The announcement of workforce cuts at HHS comes at a time of unprecedented growth in America’s aging population. The proposed reorganization of ACL and its integration into other agencies requires careful consideration.”

Fulmer stressed that ACL administers programs essential to older adults’ daily lives, such as meal delivery, transportation to medical appointments, and chronic disease management. Absorbing these functions with far fewer staff demands careful planning. The government’s commitment to older adults requires a cautious approach, she said.

The Center for Medicare Advocacy also expressed deep concerns, particularly regarding plans to restructure ACL and consolidate oversight of Medicare appeals. “Given what we have seen with Social Security Administration cuts and restructuring, HHS’s claim that these changes won’t impact critical services rings hollow,” said Co-Director David Lipschutz.

LeadingAge, a national association representing nonprofit aging services providers, called for HHS to ensure older adults and their caregivers are not overlooked. “Cutting staff responsible for critical agency functions raises serious concerns. How will the work our members rely on get done? How will this impact quality care for older adults?” asked President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan.

Sloan also cautioned that reducing HHS’s field offices from 10 to five could impact CMS’s ability to oversee nursing home surveys and provider compliance. “A 25% workforce reduction must be undertaken with extreme care—especially given the millions of older adults who depend on these services,” she emphasized.

For a fact sheet on the HHS restructuring, visit https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/hhs-restructuring-doge-fact-sheet.html

Older adults attract scammers with popularity of cyberdating

Published in RINewsToday on February 10, 2025

Digital technology is not just a way to find information and news, shop, or even search and apply for jobs.  For older single adults, getting back into the dating scene can be difficult. It could be after a divorce, or death of a spouse, or just deciding some years too late that having a mate is something desirable at this time of your life.

Dating rules have changed since years ago. But, since the mid-1990s, when Match.com, the world’s first online dating website was launched, millions have utilized internet dating as a way to meet potential partners without leaving their home.

Today, online dating, sometimes referred to as cyber-dating, has replaced traditional ways (like belonging to civic groups, clubs and attending church) singles use to find that special person.

Even though many might consider on-line dating a crap shoot in finding that perfect person to spend the rest of your life with, a growing number of older adults are using online dating platforms.  And many, unfortunately, are falling for online dating scams, as well.

A Snapshot of Older Online Daters

Last July, an article penned by Olivia Sidoti, research assistant, and Michelle Favero, research associate at Pew Research Center, provided an analysis of how older adults experience dating sites and apps and their views of online dating.

The data, obtained from a survey conducted in July of 2022,  was taken from a 74-page report, “From Looking for Love to Swiping the Field: Online Dating in the U.S., released on Feb. 2, 2023.

According to the Pew study, about a quarter of older Americans in their 50s have used an online dating site, compared to 14% percent in their 60s and 12% in their 70s and older.

However, just 3% of the older respondents are currently using online dating platforms or have used them with the last year, compared with 15% of those under age 50.

The Pew study found that 6% of the respondents over age 50 who were married, living with a partner or in a committed relationship, found their significant other online.

With so many dating sites and apps available to choose from, the survey findings indicate that about 1 in 5 online daters have used Tinder.

About half of the adults age 50 and over cite seeking a long-term partner or spouse as the reason they have online dated in the past year. Meanwhile, about 36% say they want to date casually, with 22% saying their motivation is casual sex.

The researchers found that women aged 50 and over are more likely than males who use a dating site or app to say their dating experiences have been negative.

About half of the online daters ages 50 and over say they have encountered someone who they thought was trying to scam them.  Furthermore, about four-in-ten online daters ages 50 and older (45%) report unwanted behaviors while seeking a date online. Specifically, they were sent sexually explicit content they didn’t ask for (33%), and 26% were continually contacted after they expressed disinterest. Seventeen percent of the older users report they were called offensive names, and 4% were physically threatened.

Protecting Yourself When Online Dating           

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in four individuals older than age 65 are considered socially isolated. Older adults are at risk of isolation and loneliness due to living alone, loss of family and friends, chronic illness and hearing loss.  

CDC says that there are also physical health risks as well. Those dangers include significantly increased chances of an early death, 50% increased risk of dementia, 29% increase in the likelihood of developing heart disease and a 32% higher chance of having a stroke.  

There’s a Class for that!

With so many older adults not having meaningful relationships with their family or without having a significant partner, Sun City, Arizona-based Banner Olive Branch Senior Center offered a class covering the basics of finding love and companionship online.    

“We feel this is an important topic to address because there are many seniors [in our community] who are alone,” says Jackie Cromer of Banner Olive Branch and instructor of the online dating class held last April. “It’s an approach to add some fun and excitement into their lives and allow seniors to feel connected and potentially even find love,”  she said.

The class covered which dating sites to select, how to write and choose photos for your dating profile, the best ways to find and connect with potential matches, how to handle rejection, and emphasized safety tips such as not giving personal information, meeting in a public place, transporting yourself to the date and letting loved ones know your whereabouts. 

Tips on Protecting Yourself Against Romance Scams

As a growing number of older adults go online to search for that special person, scammers take advantage of these individuals. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in 2022 almost 70,000 people reported being a victim of a romance scam.

Be aware of “red flag” indicators of a potential romance scam, when approached on a dating site, warns Home Security Investigations (HSI), the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, noting that scammers seek to gain the victim’s trust and then provide false information or misrepresentation to gain a financial benefit.

Here is some advice from Home Security Investigations (HSI):

HSI urges older online daters to watch out for the following indicators of a potential romance scam, when a potential partner:  

·         Claims they live, work or are traveling abroad.

o    Lacks proper grammar, although they claim to speak English.

·         Claims to be notably younger than you.

·         Quickly professes love to you.

·         Has a story that is inconsistent.

·         Has a minimal online presence.

·         Sends general photos (mostly fake/AI generated) of themselves traveling, shopping, or dining at luxurious locations.

o    Sends or requests explicit photos or videos.

·         Mentions the idea of meeting and being together soon.

·         Provides periodic excuses for being unable to make a video call (e.g., Facetime).

o    If a video call happens, you’re unable to see their face clearly.

·         Requests to have conversations/texts be moved to a separate app (e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram).
Asks for money, often via non-traditional methods such as cryptocurrency or gift cards.

o    Asks if you’ve ever invested in cryptocurrency and/or foreign exchange market.

o  Sends a business link of a cryptocurrency and/or foreign exchange trading platform.

o    Is combative with you or tries to divert your attention when you question their intentions.

Lastly, if your bank contacts you to express concern you are being victimized, this is perhaps the most significant red flag that you are being targeted.

You can also call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360 to talk with a trained specialist about protecting yourself when seeking a relationship on a dating site.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker, make me a match!

Many are now saying that the most successful way to find that appropriate partner is to be introduced to her/him by someone you know – be that family or friend. And, while not plentiful, and sometimes expensive, matchmaking services that match you up for a date, one on one, are around, even in Rhode Island. The good part is they will coach you on what to where, what to talk about if it’s been awhile since you had a date-convo, and if after the date, it doesn’t work out, they will handle the uncomfortableness of that conversation with the other party – and keep working on your behalf. Some matchmaking services advertise on local radio, and that may be a good place to start. All the rules of scams and checking out the company or person are still advisable, of course – ask for references!

And let us know how it goes – until then – Happy Valentine’s Day (week)!

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