The Aging US Population & Maternal Health

The Aging US Population

The United States population is aging, with the percentage of those aged 65 and older continuing to grow faster than those under age 18. Explore the latest on aging and health.

• Complex Care Needs: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 90% of adults 65 and older have at least one chronic condition, increasing demand for more complex health care needs and long-term care services. A recent American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) report found that long-term care costs continue to outpace Americans’ incomes, increasing affordability challenges as the US population ages.
• Rising Dementia Rates & Costs: The National Institutes of Health reports that the aging of the US population will result in double the amount of new dementia cases per year by 2060. A new study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia estimates the total costs of dementia in the US are $818 billion for 2026, with $222 billion attributable to total medical and long-term care costs.
• The Latest Research: Researchers identified a protein that may help prevent brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, according to a study published in Nature Communications, potentially signaling a shift in understanding how neurodegenerative diseases are treated. A separate study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, reported that combining blood-based biomarkers with cognitive testing improved the prediction of future functional decline in older adults with cognitive impairment, with potential implications for early diagnosis and disease monitoring.
• Social Determinants of Health: Social and economic factors play an important role in healthy aging. Recent analyses report that ageism and poverty are associated with poorer health outcomes among older adults, and that social inequality may accelerate biological aging.

Resources & Initiatives

• The Brookings Institution released a policy brief aimed at expanding long-term care services to support older adults aging at home, as well as an analysis on reducing poverty among older adults.
• West Health-Gallup released new survey data on Americans’ perspectives on health care and aging.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan provides information on healthy midlife habits that may support brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
• Independence Blue Cross shared resources on healthy aging in the LGBTQIA+ community and highlighted Medicare Advantage plans with a whole-person health approach, especially for older adults with chronic health conditions.
• A podcast from Princeton University explored the latest science on aging and longevity.

New NIHCM Initiative

To better understand the factors driving health care spending and the policies that can improve affordability, NIHCM has launched Policy Insights: Cost & Affordability. This new initiative examines the evidence behind rising US health care costs through original analyses by leading health policy scholars.

The first installment in this series – Slowing Spending Growth in a High-Cost Era – an original analysis by Melinda Buntin, PhD, Johns Hopkins University, examines the nation's health care affordability challenge. The infographic highlights where spending is increasing, what is driving those increases, and the policy approaches that could help make health care more affordable.

Maternal Health

Poor maternal health is associated with substantial economic and societal costs. Learn more about key factors contributing to poor maternal health and strategies to improve maternal health outcomes.

• Costs of Maternal Health Care: An analysis of employer-sponsored health plan claims estimated that pregnant women of reproductive age (15 – 49) incur, on average, $20,416 more in health costs related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care than health costs incurred by those who do not give birth. A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report identified two clinical care areas that could significantly reduce pregnancy-related deaths and cardiovascular complications.
• Doulas: A systematic review found that doula care is associated with reductions in maternal anxiety, cesarean section (C-sections), and premature delivery. A recent publication in the American Journal of Public Health found that doula care was linked with a 46% higher likelihood of attending postpartum visits.
• Maternal Health Equity: State-level regulation of reproductive care has a significant impact on low-income residents, exacerbating maternal health disparities. A McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility analysis finds that disparities also exist across racial and ethnic backgrounds, with Black women facing a four times higher risk of pregnancy-related death. The report estimates that narrowing the Black maternal health gap and improving access to high-quality care could save the lives of 3,100 Black mothers and 35,000 infants by 2040, while generating an estimated $24.4 billion in GDP for the US.
• The Latest Research: Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are developing a potential new therapy for treating pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication that occurs in about 1 in 25 pregnancies in the US. At Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, researchers identified blood-based markers that may help predict whether a pregnancy is at risk of a pre- or early-term birth. 

Resources & Initiatives

• The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology released its 2026 maternal immunization schedule, developed by its Immunization, Infectious Disease, and Public Health Preparedness Expert Work Group.
• In partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana, Dear Fathers is expanding its Dads to Doulas workshop, which trains Black fathers in maternal support techniques and being advocates during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period.
• Learn more about how telehealth services are emerging as a way to improve maternal outcomes and reduce emergency department visits in rural areas.
• To improve maternal care access, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas have expanded coverage and access to doula services.
• Florida Blue has partnered with Canopie to increase access to maternal health and well-being support by providing personalized maternal care for eligible high-risk pregnant and postpartum members.

Public Health Roundup

Read the latest information on measles, substance use, AI, and housing security and health. 

• Measles: As of July 2, 2026, the US had reported 2,170 confirmed measles cases, placing the country on pace to exceed last year’s total and putting its measles elimination status at risk. Approximately 96% of reported cases have occurred among people who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. During the 2024 – 2025 school year, measles vaccine coverage among kindergarteners was 92.5%, below the level associated with community or herd immunity.
• Substance Use: The latest provisional data from the CDC show US drug overdose deaths declined 13.2% during the 12 months ending in January 2026 compared with the previous year. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Rextovy, a third over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray, expanding access to opioid overdose reversal medications. An experimental vaccine aimed at preventing fentanyl overdoses showed promise in an early-stage clinical trial as another tool to combat the opioid crisis, if approved by the FDA.
• Artificial Intelligence: As AI technology advances rapidly, doctors are leveraging the innovations to detect illnesses that may have previously gone under- or undiagnosed. A new model, EchoNext, will soon enable clinicians to use echocardiograms to generate algorithmic predictions of whether a patient has structural heart disease. AI is also proving effective at detecting cancer in mammograms and other breast imaging.
• Housing & Health: An analysis from Columbia University found that adverse health events among Medicaid enrollees were associated with a 40 – 56% increase in housing instability and a 6 –10% higher risk of entering homelessness. Among older adults, this bidirectional relationship of health and housing can worsen chronic conditions and drive up hospital readmissions.

Resources & Initiatives

• Measles: Johns Hopkins University maintains a state measles tracker, including confirmed cases and outbreak activity. ABC News shares a mapping tool to learn more about measles vaccinations and risk level by county and zip code. The Washington Post recently explored why measles outbreaks in the US have become more difficult to contain.
• Substance Use: Through its Blue Impact program, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma recently funded a program supporting women recovering from substance use disorders. The Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy and the Colorado Department of Public Health are hosting a training in July on perinatal substance use disorders. The Cato Institute examines factors contributing to the recent decline in US opioid overdose deaths.
• Artificial Intelligence: The American Medical Association has released new policies addressing AI adoption and use, emphasizing its capabilities to augment, but not replace, clinician judgment and decision-making.
• Housing & Health: A US Department of Health and Human Services initiative is tackling mental illness, addiction, and homelessness. Elevance Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma and Illinois are addressing housing insecurity by investing in affordable housing, offering various grants, and supporting nonprofits and shelter diversion programs.