California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order June 10 to create a "Master Plan for Aging," to prepare for 2030, when more than 4 million Californians will join the state's population of adults over age 65.
This major demographic shift means the state will be home to 8.6 million older adults, a group that will be more ethnically diverse than previous generations, as well as more likely to live alone, work longer and have less money saved for retirement.
To ensure "all Californians can age with dignity and independence," the executive order declares the health and well-being of older Californians a state priority. It calls for a plan to be developed by Oct. 1, 2020, for strategies and partnerships between the public and private sectors to promote healthy aging and build a capacity to support a growing aging population. The order also establishes a workgroup for aging under the secretary of the state health department.
More articles on population health:
3 lifestyle changes could reduce early deaths, study shows
Older women can get away with fewer than 10,000 steps a day, still cut death rate, study finds
San Francisco lawmakers propose free mental healthcare for city residents