Supporting Data-Driven Decisions to Shape Policy for Older Americans
The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics is a collection of 16 federal agencies that work together to produce a compendium of statistics related to older Americans (those age 65 and over). The Forum provides a unique opportunity for collaboration among federal agency staff whose work might not otherwise overlap.
With members from executive departments such as Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs; statistical agencies such as the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the National Center for Health Statistics; and other government agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the Social Security Administration, the Forum brings together statistical experts with nuanced knowledge across a range of aging-related topics.
For over a decade, AIR has helped to convene the Forum and produce its flagship report, Older Americans: Key Indicators of Well-Being, which provides a comprehensive overview of older Americans’ economic circumstances, health status, risks, and behaviors, and health care, among other topics. This report helps researchers, policymakers, service providers, and the public better understand the aging population and can, in turn, inform decision-making that improves the lives of this population.
Our Work
AIR managed the development of an inventory database that highlights data sets, reports, and other resources on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older Americans.
This database, which compiles information from multiple Forum agencies, allows users to access a range of information—searchable by key terms—all in one place.
Facilitating Forum Collaboration
To promote collaboration across agencies, AIR provides administrative support for the Forum. We coordinate the flow of information and facilitate relevant and timely discussions among agencies and between the data and policy communities.
Showcasing Pertinent Data on Older Americans
To ensure that Older Americans provides accurate, high-quality data in a format that is easy to understand, AIR coordinates the report’s production processes, including project management, quality control steps like data checks and editing, and graphic design. We help to ensure that the report’s indicators—based on many complex datasets from over a dozen different data sources—are both digestible and tell a cohesive story for readers.
We also manage the Forum’s social media presence, promoting report findings, amplifying key messages, and developing special products including animations and videos to promote public awareness of the Forum and its valuable information.
