The prevalence of chronic diseases among older Americans continues to rise despite a reduction in some of the behaviors associated with developing such conditions, according to a new report.
While rates of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption have gone down among men and women 65 and older, 72% of men and 66% of women within that age span are either overweight or obese, according to the findings of a new U.S. Census Bureau report.
Of greater concern is the number of older Americans now diagnosed with one or more chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and arthritis, all of which have increased in prevalence among this population between 1998 and 2008, according to the report.