Critical gaps exist between older Americans – particularly among minorities -- who receive potentially lifesaving preventive services and those who do not, according to a new federal report.
The report, Enhancing Use of Clinical Preventive Services Among Older Adults: Closing the Gap, calls for promoting preventive services for all adults age 65 and older. The prevention services include vaccinations against influenza and pneumococcal disease such as bloodstream infections, meningitis, and pneumonia, screenings for the early detection of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, diabetes, lipid disorders, and osteoporosis, and smoking cessation counseling.
About 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day and about 1 in 5 Americans will be 65 or older by 2030.
“Millions of Americans are not getting proven clinical preventive services that we know can prevent disease and improve quality of life,” said Lynda Anderson, director of the Healthy Aging Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a lead author of the study. “The report takes stock of current levels of recommended services by older adults, and it becomes obvious that many of these services are woefully underutilized.”
“We know prevention is critical to healthy living and independence,” said Kathy Greenlee, assistant secretary for aging with the Department of Health and Human Services. “It is important that we continue our efforts at the community level to reach all older Americans. We want to ensure that they are aware of the preventive benefits which are available to them, including those made possible by the Affordable Care Act.”
The report identifies racial and ethnic disparities for preventive services. For example, 49% of Asian/Pacific Islanders and 47% of Hispanics reported not being screened for colorectal cancer, in comparison to 34% of whites. More than 50% of Hispanics, 47% of blacks and Asian/Pacific Islanders, and 36% of whites report never receiving a pneumococcal vaccination.
The reasons for the disparities are complex and beyond the traditional healthcare arena of patient-provider relations. Older adults may not be aware of the screening services recommended for their age group, or they may not know that the services are covered by Medicare, the report said.
The report calls for increasing community access, making services available in community settings, such as providing influenza vaccinations at polling places on election days, and building awareness through media.
“If we can help patients age 65 and older get the recommended preventive screenings and regular immunizations, we could significantly reduce unnecessary illness,” said Edward Langston, MD, an American Medical Association board member.
The report was published by the CDC, and HHS’s Administration of Aging, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
To view the full report and for more information about CDC′s health aging activities, click here.
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John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.