Older Americans Are Progressing in Several Key Measures but Inactivity Sees Sharp Rise, According to United Health Foundation...
20 May 2015 - 2:01PM
Business Wire
- Vermont replaces Minnesota as the
healthiest state for seniors
- Seniors are experiencing lower
hospital readmission and preventable hospitalization rates; and
more often able to spend their final days in settings of their
choice
- Troubling note: one-third of seniors
were physically inactive in 2015, worsening after improvements last
year
Vermont is the healthiest state for seniors, rising from fourth
place last year, according to the third edition of United Health
Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report: A Call to
Action for Individuals and Their Communities.
New Hampshire ranks second, improving one spot from last year.
Minnesota fell to third after being ranked first for two years in a
row, while Hawaii (4) and Utah (5) round out the top five states.
Louisiana ranks 50th as the least healthy state for older adults,
followed by Mississippi (49), Kentucky (48), Arkansas (47) and
Oklahoma (46).
Vermont’s strengths as the healthiest state for seniors include
low intensive care unit (ICU) use and ready availability of
home-delivered meals. The top-ranked state also has high
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment,
demonstrating that seniors are aware of and using the program. Like
all states, Vermont also has areas where it can improve: its
challenges include high prevalence of chronic drinking, low hospice
care use and high prevalence of falls.
“It is heartening to see seniors’ health is improving, but our
societal challenge remains finding ways to encourage more seniors
to be more active,” said Rhonda Randall, D.O., senior adviser to
United Health Foundation, and chief medical officer and executive
vice president, UnitedHealthcare Retiree Solutions. “Strong
community support is an essential part of promoting positive health
among seniors. We must work together – across states, communities
and our own families – to encourage all seniors to find ways to be
as active as they’re able to be.”
Report Highlights Nationwide Improvements in Care
Trends
The America’s Health Rankings Senior Report shows positive
trends nationwide for senior health, especially for measures that
look at whether seniors are getting the right care in a setting of
their choice.
Key findings include:
- Preventable hospitalizations dropped
8.6 percent, from 64.9 percent of discharges for Medicare
beneficiaries last year to 59.3 percent of discharges in 2015. The
decrease marks an 11 percent decline in preventable
hospitalizations since the 2013 edition.
- More seniors are spending their last
days in the setting they prefer. Hospice care – which can be
delivered in a home setting – increased from 47.5 percent to 50.6
percent of decedents aged 65 and older, while hospital deaths
decreased from 25 percent to 22.8 percent of decedents. Hospice
care rose 38 percent since the report’s inception in 2013.
- The number of home health care workers
increased 9.3 percent compared to last year, which may indicate
that home care is an increasingly accessible option for today’s
seniors.
- More seniors received the flu vaccine
compared to last year, rising from 60.1 percent of seniors in 2014
to 62.8 percent this year. Seniors are particularly susceptible to
flu and flu-related complications, making it vital that they
receive the vaccine each year.
- Seniors are reporting feeling better.
The findings showed a 4.8 percent increase in self-reported high
health status to 41.8 percent this year, contributing to a 9
percent increase over the past two years.
“Progress in key metrics such as preventable hospitalizations
and hospice care shows that more seniors are aging comfortably and
receiving preferred types of support – a trend that reflects
seniors’ well-being at each step of the aging process and benefits
our health care system,” said Reed Tuckson, M.D., senior medical
adviser to United Health Foundation. “We are excited to be making
progress toward strong, personalized care for all seniors and look
forward to seeing continued momentum in this area.”
Physical Inactivity Worsens; Unhealthy Lifestyle Behaviors
Pose Long-term Challenges
After showing promising improvements in last year’s edition,
physical inactivity rates increased in 2015; one-third of seniors
(33.1 percent) did not engage in any physical activity or exercise
outside of work, marking a 15.3 percent increase from the previous
year (28.7 percent).
Seniors are exhibiting other unhealthy behaviors and chronic
conditions – some preventable – that could compromise their
well-being and quality of life:
- 37.6 percent of seniors have four or
more chronic conditions;
- 26.7 percent of seniors are obese;
- 8.7 percent of seniors smoke; and
- 16.1 percent of seniors have had all of
their teeth removed due to tooth decay or gum disease.
Despite promising gains in end-of-life care metrics, community
support spending per capita for seniors – support that helps older
adults stay in their homes – has declined by 23.9 percent the past
two years.
To see the state Rankings in full, visit:
www.americashealthrankings.org/senior.
About America’s Health Rankings Senior Report
America’s Health Rankings Senior Report: A Call to Action for
Individuals and Their Communities offers a comprehensive analysis
of senior population health on a national and state-by-state basis
across 35 measures of senior health. In commissioning the report,
United Health Foundation seeks to promote discussion around the
health of older Americans while driving communities, governments,
stakeholders and individuals to take action to improve senior
health.
Researchers draw data from more than 12 government agencies and
leading research organizations to create a focused, uniquely rich
dataset for measuring senior health at the state level, including
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S.
Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Labor, The Dartmouth
Atlas Project, the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger and the
Commonwealth Fund.
United Health Foundation also produces the annual America’s
Health Rankings report. For 25 years, America’s Health Rankings®
has provided an analysis of national health on a state-by-state
basis by evaluating a historical and comprehensive set of health,
environmental and socioeconomic data to determine national health
benchmarks and state rankings. The Rankings employs a unique
methodology, developed and annually reviewed by a Scientific
Advisory Committee of leading public health scholars.
The America’s Health Rankings Senior Report and the America’s
Health Rankings Report are designed to identify health
opportunities in communities as well as multistakeholder,
multidisciplinary approaches to improving the health of the
population. Through its programs and grants, United Health
Foundation puts a spotlight on the health of America while
promoting evidence-based solutions and means to improve it. To
learn more about America’s Health Rankings – and to get information
on how to help improve community health – visit
www.americashealthrankings.org.
About United Health FoundationThrough collaboration with
community partners, grants and outreach efforts, United Health
Foundation works to improve our health system, build a diverse and
dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local
communities. United Health Foundation was established by
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private
foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date,
United Health Foundation has committed more than $285 million to
programs and communities around the world. We invite you to learn
more at www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.
Twitter: @AHR_RankingsFacebook:
www.facebook.com/AmericasHealthRankingsWebsite:
www.americashealthrankings.org/senior
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United Health FoundationMedia Contacts:Lauren Mihajlov,
952-936-3068lauren_mihajlov@uhg.comorJane Pennington,
952-945-7508jane.m.pennington@uhg.com
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