Exploring Social Determinants of Health in Healthy Aging Among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: The U.S. population is aging and diversifying. Older Black Americans comprise the largest racial minority group and experience greater disability than White Americans. OBJECTIVES: Within a long-standing, community-based research partnership, we explored the determinants of healthy aging in Flint Michigan, a low-income, predominantly Black American community recovering from a water crisis. METHODS: Focus groups were conducted among older adults residing in Flint, Michigan. A grounded theory approach and constant comparison method was utilized for data analysis. RESULTS: Five focus groups were conducted with 49 total participants. We identified four themes that impacted healthy aging: economic instability, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context. Economic instability heavily influenced the other themes. CONCLUSIONS: Economic instability is a barrier to healthy aging. As a result, we are testing an innovative cross-sector partnership combining older adult affordable housing and health care.