The average age of Americans is increasing thanks to medical advances and our management of chronic diseases. Risky behaviors, however, especially among older Americans can increase the prevalence of chronic disease, illness and death among older Americans.
Between 1997 and 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared the prevalence of three risk behaviors – risk drinking, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle – among adults 65 years and older in each start.
Here’s how California stacked up (the lower the rank, or larger number, the higher the percentage of the population with the associated behavior):
• State with the eighth lowest prevalence of smoking – 7.6%
• In the bottom half of states with prevalence of risky drinking at number 35 – 23.8%
• Eleventh among states with populations meeting physical activity recommendations for older Americans – 26.9%
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, risky drinking, smoking and maintaining a sedentary lifestyle are all associated with a number of chronic, and in many cases preventable, diseases.
Excessive drinking can lead to:
• Cancer of the …
○ Liver
○ Head and neck
○ Colorectum
○ Pancreas
○ Breast
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
Smoking can lead to:
• Many forms of cancer
• Cardiovascular disease and other complications
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to:
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer risk
Work with your doctor if you think you may have any of these risky behaviors in order to create an effective plan to begin a healthy lifestyle. It is never too late to get healthy.
Photo credit: Flickr user macronix. Used with permission through Creative Commons.