Visitation patterns reveal service access disparities for ageing populations in the USA

Yilong Han (), Peng Liao, Weiyu Li () and Qi R. Wang ()
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Yilong Han: Tongji University, School of Economics and Management
Peng Liao: Tongji University, School of Economics and Management
Weiyu Li: Suzhou University of Science and Technology, School of Mathematical Sciences
Qi R. Wang: Northeastern University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Nature Human Behaviour, 2025, vol. 9, issue 11, 2370-2381

Abstract: Abstract As populations age globally, ensuring equitable access to essential services becomes increasingly crucial. This study examines the revealed accessibility of essential services for ageing populations across the USA. A fairness index is developed to compare revealed service accessibility between high-ageing and low-ageing Census Block Groups. Using datasets that span a range of demographic and geographic contexts, this analysis identifies variations in how ageing communities access health care, housing and food supplies. The results show that while ageing communities generally experience better accessibility, this advantage is unevenly distributed and is projected to decline over time due to shifting demographics and a growing elderly population. In addition, accessibility gaps remain within high-ageing communities, with up to 70% of such areas in some states lacking access to ageing-specific services. These findings contribute to ongoing discussions on how urban environments can respond to demographic ageing with more equitable service provision.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02285-4

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