HEALTH-CARE ACCESS, HEALTH PROMOTION, AND OLDER WOMEN OF COLOR

The U.S population is becoming increasingly older due to steady increa ses in longevity, especially among women. Statistics show that older w omen, those 65 and over, outnumber older men by three to two. If is li kely that as this trend in longevity continues, older women will conti nue to outnumber older men. The health care system must respond to the se changes in the population by incorporating appropriate modification s into every aspect of the system, including financing mechanisms, ser vice organization and delivery, consumer-centered cave approaches, qua lity assurance mechanisms, and health promotion efforts. This article discusses the longevity advantage of women (particularly woman of colo r) and its implications for economic insecurity, under insurance of he alth care, health status, functional disability, access to care, and s ervice use. The article concludes with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities presented as health care reform and the devolution o f federal roles continue to unfold.