These are some facts about poverty among the elderly and the implications for health care in the US.

1. Old Age & Poverty in the US:Implications US Healthcare Landscapes April 2011 Suffolk University Guest Lecturer: Diane D’Souza

2. Persons living in poverty are more likely to experience poor health and have problems paying for care.

3. Who are the poor? More than 6 in 10 of older persons in poverty or at risk of falling into poverty are women. Almost one-fifth (19%) of older African-Americans are living in poverty compared to 6.5% of older Whites. Almost one-quarter (24%) of African-Americans and 27% of Hispanics age 50+ are at risk of falling into poverty.

4. Poverty affects your health The presence of risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are significantly higher among persons age 50+ living in poverty or at risk of poverty than for persons age 50+ with incomes at or above 200 percent of poverty. Those living in poverty and at risk of poverty also exercise less and undergo less frequent screenings (mammograms and colonoscopies) for early detection of diseases than those with higher incomes.

5. People in Poverty Feel Less Well Persons age 50+ living in poverty are almost four times as likely as those living at twice the poverty level to categorize their health as poor rather than excellent. 41% indicated they experienced poor health more than a week in the past 30 days.

6. How do poor elders pay for health care? In 2006, only 64.7% of persons age 50 to 64 living in poverty had any public (Medicaid) or private health insurance coverage. People living in poverty or at risk of poverty spend a higher portion of their average annual expenditures on health care (10% and 12% respectively) than people age 50+ with incomes at or above 200% of poverty (8%). Medicaid is very important for persons age 50 to 64 living in poverty. African-Americans and Hispanics rely on Medicaid at twice or more the rate of Whites.

7. “I can’t afford…” Almost one-quarter of persons age 50+ living in poverty said they could not see a doctor within the last 12 months because of cost. 15% of persons age 50+ who are “at-risk” could not see a doctor because of cost.

8. Poverty has a Cost for Everyone Older persons living in poverty rely heavily on public benefits such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, public housing, and food stamps, particularly among the group age 50 to 64.

9. Why is Social Security Important? The poverty rate for persons age 65+ would have increased from 9.4% to 44.9% in 2006 without Social Security.

10. Source: POVERTY & AGING IN AMERICA: Profiles of the Low-Income Older Population, 2008 Chart Book. AARP Public Policy Institute.