About more than 33 percent of Ohio seniors are obese, the worst in the nation. The state has several other challenges, including a high rate of physical inactivity and low flu vaccination coverage.
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Ohio performed well in several areas, including prescription drug coverage, hospice use and low percentage of hospital deaths.
More than 15 percent of Ohio’s population is older than 65.
Nationally, more than 1 in 7 Americans are seniors. Due to frequent care, seniors are the largest group of health care consumers, the study said, spending three to five times more than younger U.S. residents.
The study was based on several measures and outcomes, including premature death, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity, among others.
The top-5 healthiest states for aging adults are:
1. Massachusetts
2. Vermont
3. New Hampshire
4. Minnesota
5. Hawaii
The least healthy states for aging adults included:
46. West Virginia
47. Arkansas
48. Mississippi
49. Oklahoma
50. Louisiana
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