African American/Black Social Issues Study

This study examined the importance of key social issues facing African-Americans/ Blacks who are age 50 or older.  It also gauged their optimism in regard to these social issues.  

Key findings from the study show:

• Access to high quality health care and having a financially secure retirement are the most important issues facing age 50+ African-Americans/Blacks age 50 and older.
  
  
• The respondents are more optimistic that the country is moving in the right direction in regard to access to high quality health care.
  
  
• There is less optimism that the country is moving in the right direction in regard to having a financially secure retirement.
  
  
• Respondents age 75 and older are more optimistic than those ages 50-64 that the country is moving in the right direction about having a financially secure retirement.
  

Those with incomes less than $50,000 are more optimistic than those with incomes above that level that the country is moving in the right direction in regard to having a financially secure retirement.This nationally representative telephone survey of 650 African Americans/Blacks age 50+ was fielded in early February 2014.  Results were weighted to reflect the national demographics of the U.S. African American/Black population.

For more information, please contact Xenia Montenegro at (202) 434-3538 or Kristin Palmer at KPalmer@aarp.org.