New Report Finds Significant Health Concerns Loom for Seniors in Coming Years; Current Seniors Make Health Gains, But Challenges with Obesity and Proper Nutrition Persist

25 Mayo 2016, 00:00 AM EDT

Next-generation seniors set to be less healthy than current
seniors, with 55 percent growth in diabetes, 25 percent increase in
obesity compared to levels of 15 years ago
Current seniors have better health status than three years ago,
with progress made in the number of home health care workers, and
preventable hospitalizations
Yet, challenges remain, including a nearly 9 percent increase in
the rate of obesity and 5 percent increase in food insecurity among
today’s seniors
Report finds Massachusetts replaces Vermont as healthiest state for
seniors; Louisiana remains least healthy state for seniors

MINNETONKA, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Increasing rates of diabetes and obesity among middle-aged Americans
(50-64 years old), coupled with the massive growth in the senior
population over the next 15 years, are likely to significantly affect
the health and quality of life for the next generation of seniors,
according to some of the key findings of the 2016 United Health
Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings Senior Report.

The report compares the health of middle-aged Americans in 2014 to
middle-aged Americans in 1999 and details broad health concerns for the
next generation of older Americans, as well as the potential for strain
on the Medicare program and the overall health care system. Among the
key findings for the next generation of seniors:

Prevalence of diabetes among today’s middle-aged adults has increased
by a dramatic 55 percent, and the prevalence of obesity has increased
by 25 percent, compared to middle-aged adults 15 years ago;
25 states are poised to face a 50 percent or greater increase in the
senior population by 2030;
Of the states with a rapidly growing senior population, seven are
poised to face an 80 percent or greater increase in the prevalence
diabetes vs. that of current seniors when they were middle-aged;
- Among these states, Nebraska (145 percent) and Colorado (138
  percent) will experience the most dramatic increases in the
  prevalence of diabetes among current middle-aged adults who will
  age into senior status by 2030;
- Notably, Arizona (96 percent) will experience the most dramatic
  increase in the prevalence rate of obesity among current
  middle-aged adults who will age into senior status by 2030.
Report Shows Rise in Obesity Among Current Seniors, but Notable
Improvements in Care Trends
The report shows the current generation of American seniors has
better health status than it had just three years ago, but faces serious
challenges due to increased obesity and poor nutrition. Specifically,
the report finds:
- Preventable hospitalizations decreased by approximately 9 percent over
  the past year, while home health care worker availability increased by
  about 18 percent over the last three years;
- “Very good” or “excellent health” status among adults ages 65 and over
  increased by approximately 7 percent over the past three years;
- Challenges remain for seniors, including a 9 percent increase in the
  rate of obesity over the past three years;
- Food insecurity has increased by approximately 5 percent in the last
  year.
Massachusetts Ranks 1^st; Louisiana Ranks 50^th
in Senior Health
Massachusetts is the healthiest state for seniors, rising from sixth
place last year, while Louisiana again ranks as the least healthy state
for older adults, according to the newest report. Among rankings, the
report found:
- Vermont (2), New Hampshire (3), Minnesota (4), Hawaii (5) and Utah (6)
  round out the healthiest states for seniors;
- Oklahoma (49), Mississippi (48), Arkansas (47) and West Virginia (46)
  experience the most challenges in seniors’ health and well-being;
- Rhode Island, Alaska and New Jersey made the greatest strides to
  improve their senior health ranking over the past three years;
  - Rhode Island jumped from 30 to 11 in the rankings, Alaska from 39
    to 21 and New Jersey from 28 to 16;
  - These three states made progress in decreasing food insecurity,
    which is closely related to seniors’ nutrition; Alaska and Rhode
    Island reduced hospital deaths; and Alaska and New Jersey
    decreased hip fractures.
  “As a geriatrician, I see certain health conditions ‘snowball’ as people
  age – that is, smaller problems in middle-age can get much larger and
  more complicated, affecting overall health much more as we age,” said
  Rhonda Randall, D.O., senior adviser to United Health Foundation, and
  chief medical officer and executive vice president, UnitedHealthcare
  Retiree Solutions. “The America’s Health Rankings Senior Report is a
  call to action, particularly as we look at the data for the next
  generation of seniors. We must work together – across states,
  communities and the public health sector – to find ways to continue
  improving delivery of care to seniors and encourage wellness and health
  among both current and future seniors.”
  To read the report and other materials, including visual illustrations,
  visit: www.americashealthrankings.org/report/seniors.
  About America’s Health Rankings Senior Report
  America’s Health Rankings Senior Report 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 a dozen 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 and has recently expanded its reporting series to
  include a number of spotlight reports focused on important markers of
  the nation’s health, including impacts of unhealthy living, substance
  abuse and mental health. America’s Health Rankings is also
  releasing two new population reports this year that examine the health
  of mothers and children and the health of those who have served our
  country. For more information, visit www.americashealthrankings.org.
  
  About United Health Foundation
  Through 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_Rankings
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  Contacts
  United Health Foundation
  LD Platt, 202-654-8830
  ld_platt@uhg.com