Changing Demographics, Stagnant Social Policies An Introduction

• Published in: Research on aging Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 265 - 268
• Main Authors: Meyer, Madonna Harrington, Wilmoth, Janet M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA Sage Publications 01-05-2006
• Subjects: Aging; Demographic Change; Demography; Elderly; Social Policy; Sociodemographic Factors; United States of America
• ISSN: 0164-0275; 1552-7573
• DOI: 10.1177/0164027506288079

An introduction to a special issue on, Changing Demographics, Stagnant Social Policies, notes that it grew out of a May 2004 national conference hosted by the Syracuse U Gerontology Center & the Center for Policy Research. The contributors focus on the policy implications of sociodemographic trends that are changing the face of old age in the US. The first three articles provide an overview of sociodemographic, economic, & political trends. Although some citizens have access to economic, social, & health resources that allow them to enjoy a longer life expectancy, others enter their later years with little help from family members or the welfare state. The next three articles address the impact of sociodemographic changes on economic inequality & the final group of papers focuses on how demographic & policy changes affect health inequality in the later years. Emphasis is on the need to develop polices that respond to shifting sociodemographic trends by providing a safety net to minimize inequality in old age. A brief synopsis of each article is included. J. Lindroth