America's Health Rankings has released their 2016 Senior Report, an analysis of the 65-plus population's health on a state-by-state and national basis across 35 core and supplemental measures of health and wellness. The report is a resource for provider and communitywide planning and improvement activities — especially since the number of seniors is projected to increase by 49.5 percent by 2030 (from 49.4 million currently to approximately 73.8 million).

Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Hawaii and Utah top the list of the healthiest states for seniors. Those states ranking the lowest and with the greatest opportunity for improvement are Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Arkansas and West Virginia. The graphic below represents the state rankings; with the lightest blue being ranked the healthiest for seniors and the darkest having the most room for improvement.

The data reveals strengths and challenges for senior populations and can be used for benchmarking or to assist healthcare leaders as they identify opportunities for improvement in their local community and potential threats to their organization. The summaries for each state can also prompt and support statewide and local discussions, as well as the engagement of consumers of all ages.

For example, over the past three years obesity among seniors has increased 9 percent, which is higher than the increase for the general population of 6 percent. Other highlights for today's seniors include:

  • 7 percent more seniors report very good or excellent health compared to three years ago
  • Over the past three years, there has been an:
    • 18 percent increase in the availability of home healthcare workers
    • 40 percent increase in hospice care use
    • 29 percent decrease in hospital deaths
  • Over the past year, among seniors, there has been a:
    • 9 percent decrease in preventable hospitalizations
    • 8 percent decrease in the prevalence of full-mouth teeth extractions
    • 5 percent decrease in hip fractures
  • Challenges over the past year include decreases in:
    • community expenditures given to seniors living in poverty (7 percent)
    • home-delivered meals (7 percent)
    • the reach of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (10 percent)

While the report provides an analysis of the health status of current seniors, it also takes a close look at those aging into senior status over the next 14 years. The data for the future cohort aged 50 to 64 is also compared to the status of current seniors when they were middle-aged. Highlights for the next wave of seniors include

  • 50 percent lower rate of smoking
  • 55 percent higher prevalence of diabetes
  • 25 percent higher prevalence of obesity
  • 9 percent lower prevalence of very good or excellent health status

Seniors have a signification impact on the U.S. healthcare system, and the projections will assist leaders as they prepare to respond to the rapid growth of the senior population. One key projection from the data is that the anticipated growth in the population of seniors combined with the higher rates of obesity and diabetes among the current 50-64 population will stress the healthcare system.

Another projection relates to the financial impact of declining health status for those who are middle-aged and without retirement savings. While many of these future seniors plan to postpone retirement, the prevalence of chronic diseases may interfere and create additional challenges for states with less healthy adults.