The Aging Population Is Reshaping America: What It Means for Our Health, Economy, and Future | Caitlyn Wan Smith | Ep. 440

America is getting older—and the effects extend far beyond healthcare. As the proportion of older adults continues to grow, states must rethink everything from tax revenue and workforce participation to transportation, housing, healthcare, and long-term care.

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Armstrong sits down with Caitlyn Wan Smith of The Pew Charitable Trusts to discuss Pew's recent issue brief, The Aging Population Is Changing States' Revenue, Spending, and Service Demand Outlook. Together, they explore how demographic shifts are transforming state finances, why longevity should be viewed as an opportunity rather than simply a fiscal challenge, and what policymakers can do today to prepare for an older—and hopefully healthier—population.

This conversation moves beyond budgets to ask a larger question: How can communities create the conditions that allow people not just to live longer, but to age well? Whether you're interested in public policy, healthy aging, economics, or the future of your community, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the defining demographic changes of our time. Pew's brief notes that aging populations can reduce growth in income and sales tax revenue while increasing demand for services such as healthcare, long-term care, and transportation, making long-term planning increasingly important for states.

Read the review at https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2026/07/the-aging-population-is-changing-states-revenue-spending-and-service-demand-outlook?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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