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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Harold Lentzner, PhD1, Yelena Gorina, MS2, Ellen Kramarow, PhD2, and James Lubitz, MPH2. (1) National Center for Health Statistics, c/o, P.O. Box 1655, Eastsound, WA 98245, 360-376-6545, pamlenz@orcasonline.com, (2) Aging Studies Branch, National Center for Health Statistics, 6525 Belcrest Road, Room 790, Hyattsville, MD 20782
Using CDC’s electronic archive of data on health and aging, we examine temporal data from a number of collection systems to evaluate trends in healthy aging. Patterns in health status, risk factors, health care, and costs are evaluated. Short and long-term trends are examined as are differences in trends across demographic groups. We highlight on trends in relative measures such as death rates, proportion disabled, and hospital discharge rates, and test trends using weighted-least squares regression to account for sampling error. Results show Americans living longer than ever. The number and proportion of older persons 65 years of age or older continues to grow as does the oldest segment, those 85 and over. Long-term trends show declines in fatal illnesses, and there is evidence that general health and physical functioning may be improving. As for the future health of baby boomers; we examine current health behaviors and practices. Data show that older “baby boomers” are smoking less than previous cohorts; other evidence of healthier lifestyles is harder to find. In general, utilization of health care services by older Americans has increased with the increase in population. Per capita use has in some cases not grown significantly or has even declined, for example, nursing home residence rates. However, medical expenditures in general and Medicare expenditures in particular have increased dramatically over the last several decades. Older Americans reflect the diversity apparent in the population as a whole. Surveillance data show that their health varies by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and state residence.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Aging, Data/Surveillance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.