Isle seniors’ behavior
is healthiest

Hawaii leads the nation in healthy behaviors among the elderly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The state ranked No. 1 in five of 15 indicators: lowest average number of physically unhealthy days, lowest percentage reporting complete tooth loss, lowest percentage reporting a disability, lowest percentage reporting no leisure time physical activity and lowest percentage of older adults who are obese.

However, Hawaii ranked in the bottom half of the nation in areas of cancer screening and other preventive services.

Hawaii ranked 49th in older adults getting colonoscopies, and 42nd in older women getting mammograms in the last two years. Hawaii also ranked 39th in older adults ever receiving a pneumonia shot.

The state Department of Health also notes that only 25 percent of older adults eat the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, with Hawaii ranking 48th on that indicator. Also, while Hawaii ranks highest in physical activity according to the report, other data collected in 2003 shows 26 percent of older adults do not get the recommended level of regular physical activity.

The CDC report is available online at www.cdc.gov/aging.