In a recent study published in JAMA , researchers surveyed adults aged ≥50 years to identify the most salient health concerns before the 2024 elections in the United States. Background In the 2020 US election, individuals aged ≥50 years cast greater than 50% of ballots. Health and healthcare issues are frequently crucial for voters, especially older individuals with higher health demands than their younger counterparts.
As a result, it is critical to identify the most pressing health challenges in the older adult population of the United States. About the study In the present study, researchers explored leading health concerns among older individuals before the 2024 elections. Michigan University conducted the National Poll on Healthy Aging survey online and telephonically, focusing on health concerns, including adults aged between 50 and 101 years, between 22 February and 12 March 2024.
For each health concern, researchers asked participants to classify their concern level as very, somewhat, or not concerning. Researchers obtained participant demographic characteristics via surveying NORC AmeriSpeak panel-supplied information. Health concerns included medical care costs, assisted living and nursing home service expenses, financial fraud, prescription medication costs, dental expenses, Medicare and health insurance costs, and accessibility to high-quality assisted living, home care, and nursing home services.
Other concerns were healthcare quality, misleading or inaccurat.