Comparing the health status of older residents in Camden County New Jersey: Data from the BRFSS survey

Low income elderly are less likely to get preventive services than higher income counterparts. Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS), administered by the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, were analyzed. The purpose of this study was to compare 14 health care indicators of older residents (>60) in Camden, one of the poorest cities in the United States, with their counterparts in non-economically distressed communitites(NDC)of Camden county. Respondents were 1126 residents (778 in NDC; 398 in Camden). Weighted analyses of older residents of Camden differed from those in NDC in demographics and health behavior/preventive screening experiences. Residents from Camden were less likely to be married (29% vs. 47%), less college educated (7% vs. 25%), and were more likely to be Black or Hispanic (87%vs 10%). NDC residents were more likely to have had dental visits (67% vs. 46%), immunizations (66 vs.46%), be more physically active (71% vs. 59%), and to have a mammogram in the previous year (67% vs. 56%). Camden residents were more likely to smoke (35% vs. 19%) and have higher Body Mass Index (mean=28.2 vs. 27.1). There were no group differences in ever having had a mammogram, checking stool for occult blood, physical or emotional disability or eating fewer high cholesterol foods. In this setting, the greatest need in terms of reducing the disparity among health indicators for older adults includes bridging the gap in dental visits, increasing colon cancer screening, reducing obesity and smoking, and increasing physical activity and immunizations.