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Report Card Grades Elderly Health

WebMD Medical News Dec 2003

U.S. Fails 6 of 10 Goals for Improving Health of Older Adults

Americans may be living longer, but not necessarily better lives, according to a new report card that grades the health of older Americans. The report shows the nation failed to meet 6 out of 10 goals set by the federal government for improving the health of the rapidly expanding elderly population.

Overall, The State of Aging and Health in America study found the country did not meet goals set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2000 plan in the areas of physical activity, nutrition, weight, pneumonia vaccination, and injuries and deaths due to falls. But the country did meet its targets for smoking, colorectal screening, mammograms, and flu shots.

The report also includes the first state-by-state assessment of progress toward meeting those goals. It shows Hawaii ranked at the top as one of the healthiest states for older people while Kentucky ranked at the bottom. No state met all of the goals set forth by the Healthy People 2000 plan, and all 50 states and the District of Columbia missed the targets for physical activity, nutrition, and weight.

Researchers say the number of Americans over age 65 is expected to double from 35 million in 2000 to 70 million in 2030. Although the report shows Americans are living longer thanks to declines in heart disease and stroke deaths, it also found chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure are becoming more prevalent among older adults. That means living more years doesn't always translate into a longer, healthier retirement.

"The good news is that the current gap between life span and healthy life span can be narrowed, and the primary responsibility rests with older adults," write the authors. "Seniors need to start exercising, stop smoking, and engage in other healthy behaviors."

Researchers say 70% of the physical decline that comes with aging is due to modifiable risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, lack of physical activity, injuries from falls, and not utilizing preventive health services covered by Medicare.

The report also highlights the need to close the gap between older Americans' physical and mental healthcare needs. The authors say almost 20% of adults over 65 suffer from mental disorders, but many primary care physicians are not trained to screen for mental illnesses and may write the symptoms off as "normal aging."

"As a result," write the authors, "close to 90% of depressed older patients in primary care get no treatment or inadequate treatment, despite the availability of effective treatments. Only 3% receive treatment for mental disorders from a mental health specialist."

SOURCE: The State of Aging and Health in America, co-sponsored by the Merck Institute of Aging & Health and the National Academy on an Aging Society.

The information on this web site is intended for information reference purposes only and is not intended as a substitute to professional medical advice. Prior to participating in any exercise program or activity, it is recommended that you seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care professional. None of the information on this web site should be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.

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