State Variations of Chronic Disease Risk Factors in Older Americans

January 4th, 2013 9:19 am ET -

BRIEF

Stacey L. Tannenbaum, PhD, RD, LDN; Diana Kachan, BS; Cristina A. Fernandez, MSEd; Laura A. McClure, MSPH; William G. LeBlanc, PhD; Kristopher L. Arheart, EdD; David J. Lee, PhD

Suggested citation for this article: Tannenbaum SL, Kachan D, Fernandez CA, McClure LA, LeBlanc WG, Arheart KL, et al. State Variations of Chronic Disease Risk Factors in Older Americans. Prev Chronic Dis 2012;9:120143. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd9.120143

PEER REVIEWED

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine and compare 3 key health behaviors associated with chronic disease (ie, risky drinking, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle). We used data from the National Health Interview Survey from 1997 through 2010 to calculate the prevalence of these behaviors among older Americans and rank each state, and we analyzed overall trends in prevalence for each behavior over the 14 years. Older adults residing in Arkansas and Montana had the worst chronic disease risk profile compared with other states. These findings indicate the need for improved or increased targeted interventions in these states.