Core Insights - The Humana Foundation's new issue brief highlights the growing food insecurity crisis among seniors in Kentucky, emphasizing the need for community-driven solutions and investments to address this public health challenge [1][4][6] Summary by Sections Food Insecurity Statistics - Kentucky ranks 46th among all states in senior health status, with food insecurity among seniors aged 65 and older currently at 12.0%, exceeding the national average of 9.2% [2] - Approximately one in five seniors in Kentucky has type 2 diabetes, and a similar proportion reports being diagnosed with depression, both of which are often linked to food insecurity [2] Mental Health and Social Factors - There is a strong correlation between food insecurity and mental health issues among seniors, with loneliness and lack of social support significantly increasing the likelihood of food insecurity [3] Barriers to Accessing Nutritious Food - Key barriers affecting seniors' access to nutritious food include mobility and transportation challenges, geographic and social isolation, limited income, and difficulties in applying for food assistance [4] - The research involved interviews with seniors from both rural and urban areas, revealing that rural seniors face additional challenges due to the distances required to obtain affordable and nutritious food [4] Call to Action and Recommendations - The issue brief calls for investments in community-driven programs that prioritize seniors' voices and address both nutrition and social connections [6] - Recommendations include increasing outreach and enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which currently has only 18.5% of eligible seniors enrolled in Kentucky [9] - The brief advocates for cross-sector collaboration among food and aging service providers, supported by government and philanthropic initiatives, to create a sustainable food ecosystem for seniors [7][9]

Core Insights - The 2025 Social Threats to Aging Well in America survey highlights significant barriers to senior health, with aging in place (64%), limited access to medical care (60%), and economic insecurity (51%) identified as the top three challenges faced by U.S. seniors [1][5][6] Group 1: Aging in Place - Aging in place remains the most significant barrier for seniors for the second consecutive year, affecting individuals across various demographics [2] - A majority of seniors express a need for support services, with nearly two-thirds indicating they would utilize benefits for safety measures and end-of-life planning [2] Group 2: Access to Medical Care - Access to medical care is the second most pressing social threat, impacting 60% of seniors, with over half citing access issues as the reason for skipping care [6] - Concerns about future access to care are prevalent, with 45% of seniors who have not skipped care fearing they might in the future [6] Group 3: Economic Insecurity - Economic insecurity ranks as the third most significant threat, with 27% of seniors identifying financial worries as a top stressor [6] - The survey reveals that 44% of seniors affected by economic insecurity carry medical debt, with 26% of those carrying debt equivalent to at least four months of living expenses, marking an increase from the previous year [6] Group 4: Loneliness and Mental Health - Loneliness is reported to negatively impact health for nearly 40% of seniors, contributing to issues such as depression and anxiety [6] - Mental health concerns are significant, with 20% of seniors feeling depressed and 22% reporting increased depression compared to the previous year [6] Group 5: Support and Transportation - The need for support services ranks as the fourth barrier, affecting 34% of seniors who require assistance with daily activities and medical information [6] - Transportation issues are also a concern, with 31% of seniors indicating that lack of reliable transport prevents them from accessing necessary services [6] Group 6: Survey Methodology - The survey was conducted with a sample of 2,266 Americans aged 65 and older, providing insights into the social and environmental factors affecting senior health [5][6]