Updated at 4:12 p.m., Thursday, March 8, 2007
Hawai'i ranks high in healthcare for the elderly
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i's senior citizens and healthcare for the elderly rank highly in a study produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Merck Co. Foundation.Hawai'i had the most top-five performance rankings among all states, rating the best in terms of low mental distress, disability and physically unhealthy days. The state also was the best in terms of low obesity rates.
But the state also was the worst in terms of percentage of older adults who have had colorectal screening and in terms of being up to date on selected preventative services for men.
The report noted about 80 percent of all Americans age 65 or older live with at least one chronic condition that could lead to premature death and disability. It said the older adults can lower their risk through healthier behaviors and getting recommended screenings.
Other rankings where Hawai'i did well included leisure-time physical activity (No. 4 in nation), eating five fruits and vegetables daily (No. 3), flu vaccinations in the past year (No. 4) and mammograms (No. 2).
Hawai'i did poorly in that only 36 percent had had colorectal cancer screening and only 20 percent of men were up to date on select preventative services.
The state ranked No. 44 in terms of being up to date for women on selective preventative services and was No. 34 in terms of senior citizens getting their cholesterol checked in the past five years.
