WHEREAS, Ageism intersects all other types of discrimination, compounding the anguish for people who are also subject to ableism, racism, sexism, genderism, xenophobia, religious intolerance, and prejudice against members of the LGBTQ+ community; and

WHEREAS, A substantial body of data confirms the adverse effects of ageism on our physical and mental health, as well as on our economy, and age discrimination continues to be the last acceptable form of prejudice; and

WHEREAS, A national poll from July 2020 on healthy aging by the University of Michigan, titled Everyday Ageism and Health, concluded overall, 82% of older adults reported regularly experiencing at least one form of everyday ageism in their day-to-day lives; and

WHEREAS, The California Master Plan for Aging (MPA) enumerates five bold goals, with goal three titled Equity & Inclusion, Not Isolation; and

WHEREAS, Goal three of the MPA states, We will have lifelong opportunities for work, volunteering, engagement, and leadership and will be protected from isolation, discrimination, abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and

WHEREAS, Ageism in all facets of the employment process was outlawed in 1967 by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and subsequent amendments, but ageism continues to be pervasive in the labor market; and

WHEREAS, The California Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibits age discrimination in businesses with more than five employees; and

WHEREAS, The state Civil Rights Department, formerly named the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), reported that almost 20 percent of the employment complaints in 2017 pertained to age discrimination, up from 11 percent in 2016; and

WHEREAS, In 2020, 1,174 individuals filed age discrimination in employment complaints with the former DFEH, with an additional 6,622 individuals filing age discrimination in employment complaints with that department, asserting a right to sue with their own resources; and

WHEREAS, A recent survey of 800 hiring managers by resumebuilder.com found that 38 percent of those surveyed admitted to age bias when reviewing resumes; and

WHEREAS, A study conducted by the AARP found that age discrimination cost the United States economy $850,000,000,000 in 2018; and

WHEREAS, California is now one of nine states in the country belonging to the AARP network of age friendly states and communities with the goal of living up to the eight domains of livability set forth by the world health organization and AARP, which include respect and social inclusion; and

WHEREAS, Research indicates that culturally determined ageism feeds negative beliefs about aging and individuals with negative beliefs about aging tend to live 7.5 fewer years than individuals with positive beliefs about growing older; and

WHEREAS, A study regarding the impact of negative media messaging regarding older adults during the pandemic concluded that the negative narrative had a deleterious effect on the mental health of subjects; and

WHEREAS, The California Department of Aging has developed an informational website titled California for All Ages with a wide array of resources regarding ageism; and

WHEREAS, Ageism Awareness Week will a give voice and greater exposure to the California for All Ages campaign; and

WHEREAS, Several other states actively promote anti-ageism, as well as the City of San Francisco; and

WHEREAS, In 2021, Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia authored Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 78, designating May 4, 2021, as Senior Malnutrition Awareness Day, using the ACR process to recognize another serious issue impacting older adults; therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby declares May 1, 2023, to May 7, 2023, inclusive, as Ageism Awareness Week.

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

SCR 46: Ageism Awareness Week.

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