UCLA Study Reports High Number of Seniors With Chronic Conditions
An increasing number of seniors in California are reporting chronic health conditions, raising concerns among health care providers as the elderly population in California grows, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Study results are based on the California Health Interview Survey's poll of about 50,000 households across the state. The survey is done every two years.
Results
According to the study, three out of five seniors in California had high blood pressure in 2005, up from half in 2001.
Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Merced, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento and Yolo counties saw statistically significant increases in seniors with high blood pressure.
The incidence of obesity and diabetes also is on the rise among California seniors, something researchers trace to high costs and low availability of healthy foods (Lin, Los Angeles Times, 11/21).
Hard Hit Populations
Overall, the San Joaquin Valley is being hit the hardest by these trends. The study concluded that on average, seniors in the San Joaquin Valley region have the worst health in that age group for any California region (Clemings, Fresno Bee, 11/20).
Researchers also found significant ethnic and racial disparities in the incidence of chronic diseases and access to food (Los Angeles Times, 11/21). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.