National Survey of Mayors highlights dirge of workforce development initiatives geared towards older adults and transportation challenges

The Boston University Initiative on Cities released its annual Menino Survey of Mayors where municipal leaders from 119 cities from across the country answered a range of questions on diverse issues. The 2019 Menino Survey of Mayors uses a combination of open- and closed-ended questions to explore a myriad of salient local issues and policy priorities. This year, 119 mayors discussed everything from infrastructure and transportation, to workforce development and the Opportunity Zones program. 

Older Adult Mobility and Role in Workforce

For older adults, the survey revealed that few respondents (7%) have workforce development initiatives geared towards older adults compared to youth (79%) and people with criminal records (52%). Mayors do see job growth when it comes to serving and supporting an aging population, however.

On other issues like mobility, the report states that “low-income people, children, elderly people, and people with disabilities are the country’s most vulnerable road users; they are disproportionately represented among pedestrians injured and killed each year in American cities.” Further, survey responses showed very few mayors who identified older adults as a population that is able to travel “very safely” within their city.

Access the full report HERE to learn more.