Indicator Gauge Icon Legend
Legend Colors
Red is bad, green is good, blue is not statistically different/neutral.
Compared to Distribution
the value is in the best half of communities.
the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.
the value is in the worst quarter of communities.
Compared to Target
meets target; 
does not meet target.
Compared to a Single Value
lower than the comparison value;
higher than the comparison value;
not statistically different from comparison value.
Trend
non-significant change over time; 
significant change over time; 
no change over time.
Compared to Prior Value
higher than the previous measurement period;
lower than the previous measurement period;
no statistically different change from previous measurement period.
Significantly better than the overall value
Significantly worse than the overall value
No significant difference with the overall value
No data on significance available
Elder Index (Elderly Household Below Income Threshold)
Measurement Period: 2019-2020
This indicator is archived and is no longer being updated. Click to learn more
The Elder Economic Security Standard Index is a more comprehensive assessment of economic insecurity than the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines and reflects actual costs at the county level for housing, health care, food, transportation, and other costs in different housing types. More information about how the Index is calculated is available in the UCLA methodology report.
Why is this important?
Low-income elders depend upon public programs like Medi-Cal and cash assistance to make ends meet. The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines are often used to determine income eligibility for such programs. The FPL has not been adapted to changing standards of living and spending patterns over the years, and it does not take into account the local cost of living, which is a significant disadvantage in high-cost states such as California. UCLA Center for Health Policy's Elder Economic Security Index goes beyond the FPL guidelines and includes the "hidden poor"--older adults with incomes above the FPL but below a minimally decent standard of living.
23.7%
Source:
California Health Interview Survey
Measurement period: 2019-2020
Maintained by: Conduent Healthy Communities Institute
Last update: December 2021
Measurement period: 2019-2020
Maintained by: Conduent Healthy Communities Institute
Last update: December 2021
Compared to
Graph Selections
Data Source
- California Health Interview Survey
Note: This source uses Zip Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) for its Zip Code data. Learn more
Maintained By: Conduent Healthy Communities Institute (Methodology)
Filed under: Health / Older Adults, Social Determinants of Health, Older Adults