Where Does Oregon Rank Among Healthiest States For Seniors?

PORTLAND, OR —Oregon recently was ranked as the 12th healthiest state for seniors in an annual report put out by United Health Foundation (UHF).

The report titled "2022 America's Health Rankings Senior Report," ranked states based on four determinants that directly influence health outcomes: behaviors, community and environment, policy and clinical care, according to the UHF.

Within those categories, there was a total of 62 measures that helped to provide a comprehensive look at the health and well-being of older Americans.

Oregon rose seven spots from the last time UHF compiled the health rankings for seniors in 2019.

According to the report, Oregon's rise in the rankings can be attributed to a few key statistics: low prevalence of seniors with multiple chronic conditions (35 percent, ranked No. 7), a low percentage of low-care nursing home residents (9.7 percent, ranked No. 7), and a low prevalence of physical inactivity (25.4 percent, ranked No. 7).

The report also listed health challenges that Oregon's senior population, 65 and over, still face.

The group still has a high suicide rate, drug deaths increased among seniors by 102 percent per 100,000 (from 4.5 to 9.1) between 2008 and 2020, there was a 12-percent decrease in the number of seniors who reported receiving the seasonal flu vaccine in the past 12 months, and there was a 6-percent increase in early death among seniors ages 65 to 74 since 2021.

The five healthiest states for seniors according to the rankings were: No. 1 Utah, No. 2 Vermont, No. 3 Minnesota, No. 4 Connecticut and No. 5 Colorado.

The states with the greatest opportunity for improvement are Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky, according to the report.

This was the 10th senior report and, according to those who conducted the study, a decade of data shows encouraging progress in the health and well-being of older adults. Of course, challenges and disparities remain.

"While self-reported health status and use of some preventive services improved, behavioral health challenges rose," UHF said in a statement. "Further, a decade of progress in reducing early mortality was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic — disproportionately impacting older Americans of color."

See the full report here.