Older Persons' Health
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Data are for the U.S.
Life expectancy at 65 years
- Both sexes: 19.4 years
- Men: 18.0 years
- Women: 20.6 years
Fair or poor health
- Percent of noninstitutionalized persons aged 65 and over in fair or poor health: 21.6% (2016)
Need help with personal care
- Percent of noninstitutionalized persons aged 65 and over who need help with personal care from other persons: 6.7%
Smoking
- Percent of noninstitutionalized persons aged 65 and over who currently smoke cigarettes: 8.2%
Obesity
- Percent of noninstitutionalized persons with obesity (2013-2016)
- Men aged 65-74: 40.2%
- Men aged 75 and over: 28.0%
- Women aged 65-74: 43.5%
- Women aged 75 and over: 32.7%
Source: Health, United States, 2017, table 58 [PDF – 9.8 MB]
Hypertension
- Percent of noninstitutionalized persons with hypertension (measured high blood pressure and/or taking antihypertensive medication) (2013-2016)
- Men aged 65-74: 61.1%
- Men aged 75 and over: 67.4%
- Women aged 65-74: 67.4%
- Women aged 75 and over: 78.7%
Source: Health, United States, 2017, table 54 [PDF – 9.8 MB]
Percent of long-term care services users who are aged 65 and over
- Percent of adult day services center participants: 63.7% (2014)
- Percent of home health agency patients: 82.6% (2013)
- Percent of hospice patients: 94.4% (2013)
- Percent of nursing home residents : 84.9% (2014)
- Percent of residential care community residents: 92.9% (2014)
Mortality
- Number of deaths of persons age 65 and over: 2,003,458
- Deaths per 100,000 population:
- 65-74: 1,788.6
- 75-84: 4,474.8
- 85 and over: 13,392.1
Source: Deaths: Final Data for 2016, tables 6, 7 [PDF – 2 MB]
Leading causes of death among persons aged 65 and over
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Chronic lower respiratory disease
Source: Health, United States, 2017, table 20 [PDF – 9.8 MB] (data are for 2016)
Related FastStats
- Adult Day Services Centers
- Home Health Care
- Hospice Care
- Influenza
- Nursing home care
- Oral and dental health
- Pneumonia
- Residential Care Communities
More data
- Trends in older person’s health from Health, United States
- AgingStats.gov
- Tables of Summary Health Statistics from the National Health Interview Survey
- National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2015 State and National Summary Tables, table 3 [PDF – 697 KB]
- National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2015 Emergency Department Summary Tables, table 2 [PDF – 676 KB]
- National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2011 Outpatient Department Summary Tables, table 2 [PDF – 1 MB]
- Vaccination Coverage Among Adults Aged 65 and Over: United States, 2015
- Mortality Among Centenarians in the United States, 2000-2014
- Deaths From Unintentional Injury Among Adults Aged 65 and Over: United States, 2000–2013
- Prevalence of Reduced Muscle Strength in Older U.S. Adults: United States, 2011–2012
- Hospitalization, Readmission, and Death Experience of Noninstitutionalized Medicare Fee-for-service Beneficiaries Aged 65 and Over [PDF – 546 KB]
- Hospitalizations for Patients Aged 85 and Over in the United States, 2000–2010
- Percentage of Adults Aged 65 and Over With Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass at the Femur Neck or Lumbar Spine: United States, 2005-2010
- Prevalence of Incontinence Among Older Americans [PDF – 1.2 MB]
- Page last reviewed: January 19, 2017
- Page last updated: May 3, 2017
- Content source: