Award recognizes innovation and expertise in advancing equitable aging

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Simona Combi
Public Relations Manager
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simona.combi@ncoa.org

Arlington, VA (December 6, 2022)—Ramsey Alwin, President and CEO of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), has been selected as a 2022 Influencer in Aging by the editorial board of Next Avenue, the PBS-affiliated website for people age 50+.

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by a premier media outlet that covers issues near and dear to my heart—helping people age with dignity,” said Alwin. “Our mission is to advocate for older adults who are struggling and ensure they have equal access to the resources they deserve to age well—whether that is a job, benefits, or a proven health program.”

The annual Influencers in Aging list celebrates 10 advocates, researchers, thought leaders, writers, educators, experts, and everyday people who are breaking new ground in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing people 50+.

Alwin is 2023 Chair of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations and co-founder of the Equity in Aging Collaborative, which advocates for the adoption of the Elder Index as a more accurate measure to capture the true cost of aging in America.

“The gift of longevity must be shared with every American. Right now, a person’s ability to age well depends too often on their gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or ZIP code,” said Alwin. “We need to strengthen and expand Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act, so all can reap the benefits of a longer life. We must address longstanding disparities that leave many behind and extinguish the blatant ageism that holds us all back.”

Alwin served as Vice President of Economic Security at NCOA before directing financial resilience global thought leadership at AARP. She returned to NCOA as President and CEO in 2020. A seasoned thought leader and policy advocate, Alwin has changed the way people think about older adult poverty and economic security. She worked to introduce the Measuring American Poverty Act in Congress to redefine the federal poverty measure for the older population. Thanks to her efforts, the U.S. Census Bureau formally implemented the Supplemental Poverty Measure nationwide, virtually doubling the elder poverty count and better demonstrating true needs among this population. 

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. We believe that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or ZIP code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more by following us at @NCOAging.