Connecticut has one of the healthiest senior populations in the nation, according to a new report.
A recent report by the United Health Foundation, a nonprofit established by insurer UnitedHealth Group, ranked Connecticut third in terms of the health of its senior population based on 30 metrics measured across health behaviors, such as obesity and medical visits, community and environment, policy, clinical care and outcomes.Â
The report considers seniors who are 65 and older.
The 30th annual report, known as the America’s Health Rankings Senior Report, moved Connecticut three spots higher compared to 2018, ranking the state above all other New England states.
Connecticut ranked highly in the percentage of able-bodied seniors (No. 2), high Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment (No. 1) and low early death rate (No. 3).
The state’s senior population also ranked in the top 10 in dental visits, and for low levels of smoking, poverty, falls and teeth extractions.
While Connecticut ranked in the top half of the country in most measurements, the report says key challenges still face the state’s elderly residents.
Connecticut ranked No. 34 for high percentage of low-care nursing home residents, No. 40 in high percentage of hospital deaths and No. 42 in low percentage of home-delivered meals.
Nationally, Hawaii had the healthiest senior population and Mississippi had the least.
