Common Health Concerns for the Older Adults

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that heart disease is the leading killer among adults aged 65 and above. In 2014, there were about 490,000 mortality cases. Contributing risk factors for heart disease include high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

In second place is cancer, having close to 414,000 mortality cases in 2014. With early screening and detection, cancer is treatable.

Osteoporosis is another common chronic disorder that affects older adults. This condition leads to limited mobility and eventually disability. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, there are about 54 million 50-year-olds in the U.S. suffering from the low bone mass. By 2020, it is estimated that this figure will swell to 64 million.

Diabetes is another serious senior health condition, affecting about a quarter of Americans aged 65 and older. In 2014, about 54,000 died from the disease.

Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer share a common contributing risk fact: obesity. In the U.S., around 36 percent of men and 40 percent of women within the 65-and-above age bracket are obese, which places them at a higher risk for other health disorders like gallbladder disease and hypertension.

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(Reference: http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/most-common-health-concerns-seniors/)