CO bests NE, KS, TX and OK in overall senior health

Colorado ranks 8^th, Nebraska 14^th, Kansas 18^th, Texas 39^th and Oklahoma 49^th in overall senior health according to the 2013 America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report.  The rankings are based on 34 measures of two types — determinants and outcomes. Determinants represent those actions that can affect the future health of the population, whereas outcomes represent what has already occurred either through death or disease.  For a state to improve the health of its older adult population, efforts must focus on changing the determinants of health.

Here’s a look four of these measures for the states in our region.

Senior obesity

• Colorado 4^th (20% obese)
• Kansas 33^rd (26%)
• Texas 33^rd (26%)
• Oklahoma 33^rd (26%)
• Nebraska 40^th (27%)

Percentage of population age 65 and older estimated to be obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher.

Senior smoking

• Nebraska 14^th (9% smoking)
• Colorado 17^th (9%)
• Texas 17^th (9%)
• Kansas 29^th (10%)
• Oklahoma 46^th (12%)

Percentage of population age 65 and older that smokes on a regular basis (smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke every day or some days).

Senior diabetes

• Texas 21^st (81% receiving appropriate treatment)
• Kansas 37^th (76%)
• Nebraska 42^nd (75%)
• Colorado 43^rd (75%)
• Oklahoma 46^th (73%)

Percentage of Medicare enrollees receiving appropriate diabetes management.

Physical inactivity

• Colorado 1^st (21% physically inactive)
• Texas 24^th (31%)
• Nebraska 32^nd (33%)
• Kansas 30^th (33%)
• Oklahoma 44^th (37%)

Percentage of population age 65 and older who report doing no physical activity or exercise (such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening or walking) other than their regular job in the last 30 days.

The complete report can be downloaded here.  One sheet summaries of the all 34 measures by state can be found here: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas.