More Americans have at least 2 chronic health issues: CDC

HealthMore>>
Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction
Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction
Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.More >>
Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.More >>
U.S. teen birth rate plummets
U.S. teen birth rate plummets
Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.More >>
Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.More >>
Too few kids use fast-food calorie info
Too few kids use fast-food calorie info
Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.More >>
Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.More >>
American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress
American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress
The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.More >>
The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.More >>
Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters
Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters
In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.More >>
In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.More >>
More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist
More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist
Over the last decade, the number of American children who die each year awaiting an organ donation dropped by more than half, new research reveals. And increasing numbers of children are receiving donor organs.More >>
Over the last decade, the number of American children who die each year awaiting an organ donation dropped by more than half, new research reveals. And increasing numbers of children are receiving donor organs.More >>
Americans still making unhealthy choices
Americans still making unhealthy choices
The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.More >>
The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.More >>
Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health
Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health
The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.More >>
The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.More >>
Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens
Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens
When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study. More >>
When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study. More >>
Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma
Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma
Urban elementary school children with poorly controlled asthma are likely to experience sleep problems and suffer academically, new research indicates.More >>
Urban elementary school children with poorly controlled asthma are likely to experience sleep problems and suffer academically, new research indicates.More >>

TUESDAY, July 31 (HealthDay News) -- The number of Americans aged 45 and older with two or more chronic conditions has grown over the past decade, new research estimates, with seniors especially vulnerable to a rising risk of both diabetes and high blood pressure.

Between 1999-2000 and 2009-2010, the percentage of Americans in the 45- to 64-year age group with two or more of the conditions grew from 16 percent to 21 percent, according to survey results. For adults 65 and older, the percentage increased from 37 percent to 45 percent. The survey was compiled by the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Released Tuesday, the report from Virginia Freid and colleagues looked at nine chronic conditions: hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, current asthma and kidney disease.

The percentage of Americans aged 65 and older who had both diabetes and high blood pressure grew from 9 percent to 15 percent, the investigators found.

The report also revealed that 23 percent of adults aged 45 to 64 with at least two chronic conditions -- out of the list of nine -- either didn't receive necessary medical care or delayed it because of cost. That's up from 17 percent a decade earlier.

The percentage of people in that group who didn't get necessary prescription drugs due to cost grew from 14 percent to 22 percent over the decade.

Among individual conditions in people aged 45 or older, the prevalence of high blood pressure grew from 35 percent to 41 percent, diabetes from 10 percent to 15 percent, and cancer from 9 percent to 11 percent.

The rise in the number of people with more than one chronic condition "presents a complex challenge to the U.S. health care system, both in terms of quality of life and expenditures for an aging population," the report stated.

The findings are published in the July edition of the NCHS Data Brief.

More information

For more about coping with chronic illness, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.

More Americans have at least 2 chronic health issues: CDC - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

More Americans have at least 2 chronic health issues: CDC

HealthMore>>