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AARP pilot survey: Brownsville seniors prioritize health care access, safety and social activities
Summary
A six‑month AARP/Healthy Communities pilot survey of Brownsville residents aged 50+ found high interest in local health care access, safety improvements and social programs; the city commission expressed support and asked staff to coordinate on next steps and a possible grant application.
Representatives of Healthy Communities presented results of an AARP Age‑Friendly quality‑of‑life pilot survey to the Brownsville City Commission on Feb. 18, reporting responses from residents in Brownsville ZIP codes collected between Sept. 12 and Dec. 1, 2024.
Maria Jete, who presented the survey findings, said about 80,000 residents were eligible by ZIP code and that approximately 865 responses met the final inclusion criteria. Seventy percent of respondents were over age 50; the median participant age was 60. Major priorities cited were greater access to health care (56%), safety concerns (51%), and the desire for more social activities (49%). Roughly 38% of respondents identified public transportation improvements as a priority.
The survey respondents reported high attachment to living in Brownsville: 71% said it is extremely or very important to remain in the city. Respondents also reported multigenerational households: roughly 69% said they live in a house and only 22% reported living alone.
Rose Tibber of Healthy Communities asked the commission to consider forming an advisory committee — or for AARP to create a citizen advisory body — to help translate survey findings into city programs. Presenters said the pilot has led to an invitation to apply for a larger grant with a March 5 deadline and requested a letter of support from the commission.
Commissioners praised the work and said findings would inform upcoming capital and program decisions, including a proposed community recreation center that commissioners described as intended for both seniors and youth. Staff said an updated, full presentation will be provided to commissioners and that the survey will be expanded into under‑represented neighborhoods in a grant extension.
