MPAs: Paving the Way for Healthy Aging

Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) are frameworks designed by state governments to address the needs of older adults through coordinated systems of care and support. These plans integrate healthcare, housing, transportation, and other social determinants of health to promote healthy aging, independent living, and social engagement. MPAs work across state agencies and sectors to align resources, elevate existing efforts, and engage diverse stakeholders—including older adults, caregivers, providers, and community organizations—in shaping age-friendly systems.

As of January 2026, fourteen states—California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Vermont—have developed MPAs. Together, these states represent nearly half of the U.S. population, and almost half of adults age 65+—approximately 28 million people—now live in states with an MPA. In addition, many other states are actively planning or developing their own MPAs, often supported by executive orders or legislation.

Common steps in developing MPAs include identifying the need, securing government buy-in, gathering input from diverse stakeholders, and establishing actionable goals. Across states, shared priorities include physical and behavioral health, housing, caregiving, transportation, economic security, and social engagement. While these themes are consistent, each state tailors its plan to address unique challenges and opportunities—for example, leveraging data dashboards to track progress or emphasizing social connection and elder justice.

MPAs are essential tools for addressing systemic challenges such as healthcare accessibility, caregiver support, workforce shortages, and social isolation. By fostering cross-sector collaboration and continuous improvement, they help states build more resilient, inclusive, and age-friendly communities. National efforts like the MPA Learning Collaborative, supported by organizations including West Health, continue to accelerate the development and refinement of these plans nationwide.

Contact us

For questions, comments, or suggestions related to MPAs or the newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact us at MPA@westhealth.org.