How Healthy Is Your County? The County Health Rankings—the first set of reports to rank the overall health of every county in all 50 states—were released today by the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The 50 state reports help public health and community leaders, policy-makers, consumers and others to see how healthy their county is, compare it with others within their state and find ways to improve the health of their community.
Each county is ranked within the state on how healthy people are and how long they live. They also are ranked on key factors that affect health such as: smoking, obesity, binge drinking, access to primary care providers, rates of high school graduation, rates of violent crime, air pollution levels, liquor store density, unemployment rates and number of children living in poverty.
Other studies have ranked states on health factors, but this is the first time researchers have examined the multiple factors that affect health in each county in all 50 states. New County Health Rankings Give First County-by-County Snapshot of Health in Each State
Medical Imaging Safety: What Seniors Need to Know Older adults with electronic implantable devices, such as pacemakers, need better information on the benefits and risks of medical imaging, according to a new NCOA survey. Procedures such as MRIs may be risky for patients with these devices, yet nearly a third of patients surveyed were unaware of this fact. To help educate older adults, we’re hosting free community events nationwide. Find out more.
Diabetes Screening. Approximately 1 in 3 seniors 65 and older have diabetes, and nearly 50% of them are undiagnosed. Could you be one of them? Learn more about Medicare Diabetes Screening Project.
Elderspeak - Many people naturally revert to something like baby talk when communicating with people who are elderly. More than simply a way to adjust to cognitive impairments that elders may develop as they age, this tendency is known as “Elderspeak.” It often consists of using a singsong-type tone, exaggerating and prolonging words or syllables, speaking more slowly than is necessary, limiting vocabulary, repeating statements over and over again, making statements sound like questions, and using diminutives like “honey,” “dear,” and “sweetie.” While Elderspeak may be a common practice, studies consistently show that elders dislike being spoken to in this manner and that speaking like this may even be harmful. Read more on this study.
CVS/Pharmacy and National Council on Aging Help Seniors Get Cost Savings Benefits. The economic downturn continues to challenge Americans, with seniors perhaps being hit the hardest by dwindling retirement funds, loss in home value and rising health care costs. And with eight out of 10 older Americans suffering from at least one chronic health condition, the monthly cost of prescriptions and over the counter medication can be significant. Learn how CVS/pharmacy and National Council on Aging help seniors get cost saving benefits they need. Continue reading.