Elderly people in Hawaii are among the nation’s healthiest, with low rates of obesity, hip fractures and preventable hospitalization, according to a ranking of states released Wednesday.
Hawaii placed sixth among states in "America’s Health Rankings Senior Report: A Call to Action," commissioned by United Health Foundation. Minnesota led the nation while Mississippi ranked 50th.
"This is the first study of its kind focusing on the senior population, those 65 and older," said Dr. Ron Fujimoto, chief medical officer of the UnitedHealthcare Community Plan for Hawaii. "The objective of this report is to have everyone look at this population and be advocates for improving the health of this group."
The comprehensive study pulled together a variety of information on senior health, including behavior, clinical care, health outcomes, community and environmental measures. It analyzed 34 different data points for each state, drawn from government agencies and research organizations.
Hawaii residents ages 65 and up scored tops in the nation on behavioral measures overall, with low rates of smoking, obesity and physical inactivity.
They also had the best scores on several clinical measures, with the lowest rates of premature death, preventable hospitalizations, hip fractures and teeth extractions. And they were least likely to report having been diagnosed with depression.
But on a few criteria Hawaii’s elderly placed at the other end of the spectrum. Seniors in the 50th state were the most likely to say they did not have adequate social and emotional support. They ranked 49th among the states for the percentage enrolled in hospice care within six months of their deaths. And more of Hawaii’s seniors ultimately wound up dying in the hospital than elsewhere, although the overwhelming preference is to die at home.
Hawaii’s population ages 65 and up is projected to grow by 45 percent through the next 15 years, according to the study.
"This segment of the population is growing rapidly," Fujimoto said. "It’s a pretty compelling population to study … I was very encouraged by the fact that we are in the Top 10 and I know we could be in the Top Five, if we look at this report and start understanding better where we can put our resources and energies."
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