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Mapping the Vulnerability of Older-Adult Neighborhoods: An Ecological Study of New York State

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Listed:
  • Samantha Friedman

    (Department of Sociology, University at Albany, State University of New York, 348 Arts & Sciences Building 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA)

  • Chunxu Fang

    (Department of Sociology, University at Albany, State University of New York, 348 Arts & Sciences Building 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA)

  • Tse-Chuan Yang

    (Department of Sociology, University at Albany, State University of New York, 348 Arts & Sciences Building 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA)

  • Rui Li

    (Department of Geography and Planning, University at Albany, State University of New York, 348 Arts & Sciences Building 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA)

  • Imran Hossain Mithu

    (Community, Environment and Policy Division, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA)

  • Jennifer A. Manganello

    (Department of Health Policy, Management, and Behavior, College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA)

  • Xiaobo Romeiko

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA)

  • Shao Lin

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
    Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA)

Abstract

We examined neighborhood-level demographic, economic, and social characteristics and food and health-services access to gauge the vulnerability of older-adult neighborhoods in New York State (NYS), which is understudied and is significant given the rapid aging of populations worldwide. We conducted descriptive ecological analyses using data from the American Community Survey, historical redlining maps, Social Capital Instruments, U.S. Department of Agriculture food access atlas, ESRI businesses, and Social Determinants of Health. We compared census tracts classified as having high and low levels of older-adult population; among those identified as high-older-adult neighborhoods, we then examined tracts with high and low levels of adult population living alone and in poverty. Our results showed that NYS neighborhoods with large shares of the older adult population are generally faring well in terms of their socioeconomic status, social capital, lack of social isolation, and health services access. However, the older-adult neighborhoods with larger shares of the population living alone and in poverty fare worse, living in areas with poorer socioeconomic status, lower social capital, and considered medically underserved. NYS older adult communities are projected to increase by 2030. Resources should be invested in such areas with vulnerable groups so populations may age in equitable and accessible communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Samantha Friedman & Chunxu Fang & Tse-Chuan Yang & Rui Li & Imran Hossain Mithu & Jennifer A. Manganello & Xiaobo Romeiko & Shao Lin, 2025. "Mapping the Vulnerability of Older-Adult Neighborhoods: An Ecological Study of New York State," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(3), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:3:p:332-:d:1598543
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Susan L. Cutter & Bryan J. Boruff & W. Lynn Shirley, 2003. "Social Vulnerability to Environmental Hazards," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 84(2), pages 242-261, June.
    2. Gainbi Park & Zengwang Xu, 2022. "The constituent components and local indicator variables of social vulnerability index," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 110(1), pages 95-120, January.
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