Wolverine Caucus: U-M experts share results and future topics of study from National Poll on Healthy Aging

By Terry Kosdrosky

Public Engagement & Impact

 

Michigan’s population is aging, likely faster than many other states, yet the perspectives of older people are often left out in healthcare debates.

 

That’s one reason U-M has partnered with the AARP on the National Poll on Healthy Aging, which has now issued 16 reports in less than two years.

 

U-M researchers who manage the poll shared some of the results and discussed ideas for future topics at the March 19 Wolverine Caucus. The Caucus is a forum held in the state capital where alumni, policymakers, and the public can exchange ideas and hear from U-M faculty experts.

 

“The goal is to raise this area of focus in healthcare and really bring the older adult perspective into the conversation,” said Erica Solway, PhD, associate director of the poll. Solway also is also senior project manager for the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation’s evaluation of the Healthy Michigan Plan.

 

One of the reports focused on prescription drug costs — an important topic since two-thirds of older adults report taking two or more prescriptions.

 

The poll found that one in four adults aged 50–80 say prescription costs are a burden. Yet 49 percent had not talked to their doctor about the cost. Of those who did, two-thirds received a prescription for a less expensive drug.

 

Solway said many people assume doctors know the cost of drugs and that’s not the case, since patients have many different insurance plans and costs can vary by location.

 

“I think (this poll) illustrates some important opportunities to work with doctors and pharmacists,” said Jeffrey Kullgren, MD, associate director of the poll.

 

Another report found that only 37 percent of adults aged 50–80 who received an opioid prescription in the past year talked to their doctor about what to do with leftover pills. That’s a key topic because this age group is more likely to undergo surgery that leads to acute pain.

 

The poll found that 86 percent said they kept unused opioid pills for later use at home. Only 13 percent returned them to an approved disposal location.

 

That finding reveals that more doctors need to properly counsel patients on what to do with leftover opioid pills, Kullgren said.

 

Likewise, results from a report on loneliness and health suggest that a policy solution might be able to improve the health of millions of older adults. Adults who are lonely or lack companionship have overall lower levels of physical health. The poll showed that more than a third of adults age 50–80 report a lack of companionship, while 27 percent said they felt isolated from others.

 

Upcoming topics in the poll will focus on pets and health, brain health, and grandparenting. The researchers also received suggestions from attendees, some of whom shared their healthcare experiences.

 

“Part of the value of being here is hearing what some of the topics should be,” Kullgren said.

 

Join us for the next Wolverine Caucus on April 16 where a panel of U-M faculty will discuss “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Where Are We, Where Are We Going, and What Should We Be Worrying About?” The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Anderson House Office Building, Mackinac Room, in Lansing. If you are interested in attending, contact Dr. Veronica Wilkerson Johnson, Director of the U-M Lansing Service Center, at 517-372-7801, or email veronicj@umich.edu.