Americans are Fatter and More Depressed, But are Choosing Better Health Behaviors

The survey also found that one in 10 American adults used a hospital emergency room more than once in the past year, another sign that emergency rooms are being used for primary healthcare needs. This proportion has increased significantly from the 5.6% first recorded in 1999, and runs concurrent with the growing numbers of uninsured Americans, and access difficulties for primary care. Nearly 18% of American adults report that they do not have a regular physician and they rely on a hospital emergency room for most of their medical care.

The survey also found that:

• Fruit and vegetable consumption is improving as 43.5% of adults report eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. This is a considerable increase from the 31.4% first recorded in 2001.


• Roughly 30% of American adults have experienced symptoms of chronic depression, stating that they have had two or more years in their lives when they felt sad or depressed on most days. This proportion is at its highest since this indicator was first tested in 1995. Chronic depression appears to impact a majority of Americans who live below the federal poverty level; women, blacks, and Hispanics are also more likely to report symptoms of chronic depression.


• More than 35% of Americans have been told that their blood pressure was high, and this proportion has trended upward over the past decade (findings were around 25%-26% prior to 2003).


• Diabetes now affects 11% of adults–the highest prevalence recorded since first measured in 1995. Nearly 10% of Americans report suffering from chronic lung disease, including bronchitis or emphysema. This prevalence is the highest recorded since this question was first asked in 1995.


• A growing percentage of seniors age 65 and older are receiving annual influenza vaccinations. In 2008, 73.2% of seniors were vaccinated.


• Colorectal cancer screenings have increased significantly over the past decade, and nearly 65% of Americans aged 50 and older are screened at some point in their lives.


• Nearly 18% of Americans aged 18 to 64 years don’t have health insurance, either through private insurance or through the government. Uninsured rates increased considerably between 1997 and 2005. Not surprisingly, people without coverage are much less likely to receive routine medical care, such as checkups, and age- and gender-appropriate cancer screenings.


• Since the late 1990s, self-reported seat belt use has continued to improve, with 83.5% of Americans now reporting they "always" wear a seat belt when driving or riding in a vehicle (up from 70.4% in 1997).