Michigan Findings
Supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, the Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging is a recurring, representative household survey of more than 1,000 Michiganders over age 50.
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Explore Michigan articles— summaries of Michigan poll findings on health-related topics as compared to national data, along with experts’ insights — and poll extras — short, engaging articles that feature timely poll data from Michiganders to answer urgent questions in health and health care.
As the nation's 10th most populous state, and with one in four residents projected to be over the age of 60 by 2030, Michigan has a pressing need to understand the knowledge, experiences, and opinions of its older residents around health and well-being.
Launched in May 2024, the Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging regularly taps into the perspectives of Michiganders age 50 and older on a wide range of health-related topics, with support from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. The poll grew out of, and uses the same infrastructure as, the National Poll on Healthy Aging that has been run by the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation since 2017, with support from AARP and Michigan Medicine.
Several times a year, the National Poll on Healthy Aging team compiles brief reports featuring Michigan-specific findings, and releases them alongside reports on national poll findings. The team also releases Michigan-focused interactive data dashboards.
The Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging welcomes anyone with an interest in issues affecting older adults in the state to sign up to receive email alerts about new poll findings.
Michigan Articles
Displaying 1 - 6 of 13 reports
Video
Most older adults view Michigan as a good place to age and the state has many strengths to support its older residents, but challenges and inequities remain
Aging in Place
Environment
The Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging examines pet ownership among adults age 50 and older, including perceived health benefits, challenges, reasons for not having pets, and comparisons to national findings.
Pets
Compared with peers in other states, Michiganders over 65 are more likely to see themselves driving safely for years to come, less likely to plan for future changes
Transportation
Nearly all of those 50 or older who had someone with them at a health care visit, or accompanied someone else, said it was helpful
Caregiving
Social Networks & Community Resources
More than half have used it, and nearly all want AI-generated information labeled, poll shows, with differences in views by income, education, region and health status
Technology
Few have signed legal documents or communicated their wishes, and many worry about financial aspect or have misconceptions
Caregiving
Financial Stress & Costs of Health Care
In addition to Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging reports that are published simultaneously with national reports, we occasionally incorporate Michigan data into poll extras, which contain a smaller amount of data than a full report.
- Caregiving without a net: Poll shows who needs help most (March 2026)
- Why aren’t more older adults getting flu or COVID-19 shots? February 2026)?
- Palliative care & hospice poll reveals major gaps (November 2025)
- Experiences of disability after 50: Poll looks at self-identity and help with health care visits (October 2025)
- Poll shows wide variation in older adults’ preparations to age in place (June 2025)
- Grandparents help grandkids in many ways – but the reverse may be true too, poll suggests (November 2024)
- COVID-19 hits older adults hardest; which ones want the updated vaccine? (September 2024)
- Most older adults don’t know about resources that can help them navigate aging & caregiving (June 2024)
- Caregiving: Poll reveals who’s providing care and who they’re caring for (August 2024)
Contact the NPHA Team
Have questions about our reports, media requests, or opportunities to collaborate? The National Poll on Healthy Aging team welcomes your inquiries.
General Inquiries
[email protected]
Media Inquiries
Kara Gavin
734-516-5362
[email protected]