Research

Public Policy Institute

The Public Policy Institute informs and stimulates public debate on the issues we face as we age. The Institute promotes development of sound, creative policies to address our common need for economic security, health care, and quality of life.

Surveys and Statistics

Surveys and Statistics houses national- and state-based research on the needs, concerns, and interests of AARP members and the 50+ population as a whole.

Academic Affairs

The Office of Academic Affairs provides a series of Occasional Papers on aging issues, resources to help faculty teach aging content, and recommendations of books on aging issues for public libraries.

latest
Research

September 2010

Views on Genetic Testing: An AARP Bulletin Survey

Genetic testing has not been done on a large majority of Americans and most would not consider undergoing genetic testing to determine if they are susceptible to a disease such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, or diabetes, according to a recent AARP Bulletin survey. read

Helen W. Brown, Ph.D., Research & Strategic Analysis,

April 2010

Health Reform Legislation: Key Facts

Recent health care reform legislation will greatly increase the availability of health insurance and broadly impact the delivery of health care in America. These fact sheets look specifically at how the legislation affects aspects of Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance and coverage, the health care delivery system, prevention, long term care options, and the primary care workforce. read

Public Policy Institute, Health Team

Spotlight

August 2010

Social Security 75th Anniversary Survey Report: Public Opinion Trends

On the 75th anniversary of Social Security, public support for the program has remained extremely high for at least 25 years. read

Colette Thayer, Ph.D., AARP Research & Strategic Analysis

April 2010

Older Americans in Poverty: A Snapshot

This report examines the persistent problem of elderly poverty in the United States; provides key data on older adults in poverty—who they are, where they live, and the challenges they face affording basics like food, housing, and health care—and looks at proposals to modernize the official poverty measure. read

Ellen O'Brien, Ke Bin Wu, and David Baer