Second in a series about how better access to data is improving care for older Californians.
When it comes to transforming aging in America, state and local actions are critical. But they don’t exist in a vacuum – policymakers, advocates, and community leaders need a clear view of the national landscape to make informed, equitable decisions.
That’s why West Health developed the National Aging Readiness Dashboard, a centralized and interactive tool that clarifies and brings together a wide range of complex data on the health and well-being of older adults across the country.
Unveiled this spring, the dashboard emerged from a shared frustration. While a lot of data is publicly available, much of it isn’t easy to access and understand, especially for those working to create more equitable systems of care. Data sets are often siloed, buried in Excel files or PDFs, and not designed to highlight disparities. Creating our dashboard was a deliberate step toward changing that reality and, in turn, helping older and disabled populations live better.
The dashboard was designed with an equity lens and provides access to more than 100 indicators related to affordability, access, and quality of care for older adults. Users can filter their searches by race, gender, age, income, and state, making it easy to pinpoint disparities and identify where targeted interventions are most needed. A primary goal was to empower state and local leaders by enabling them to track trends, design responsive programs, and advocate for evidence-based policies that equitably improve the health and well-being of older people.
Designed for Action
The dashboard’s functionality is designed for real-world applications. The interface is intuitive and interactive, and graphics convey the stories behind the data. Whether developing or implementing a Multisector Plan for Aging, researching an article or paper, or advocating for a program or funding, the dashboard provides actionable insights that resonate across sectors.
The dashboard is also incredibly versatile. A journalist might use it to highlight transportation challenges for older adults. A health system leader might explore Medicare spending by enrollee. A state agency could also compare long-term care workforce data across states to inform recruitment and retention strategies.
West Health is committed to supporting training, technical assistance, and shared learning around the dashboard. We invite advocates, providers, journalists, and local leaders to explore it, share it, and use it to advance systems that are truly inclusive of older adults and caregivers. Because data, when made visible and accessible, can be a powerful driver of equity, accountability, and action.
Read the first post in the series, “Why It’s Important to Track Progress Toward a California for All Ages and Abilities.”
