American Seniors Have The Worst Health, Survey Shows

Aging can be a difficult time, particularly during the senior years. However, recent findings published in the journal Health Affairs show that it's particularly difficult for seniors in America. A survey showed that they have more chronic health problems and take more medications than those in 10 other industrialized countries examined, according to a new global survey.

"The retirement of baby boomers means pressure on Medicare will intensify," said David Blumenthal, M.D., president of The Commonwealth Fund, said during a news briefing. Despite the moderating of health care costs in recent years, Blumenthal adding that "costs are still going up too fast to be sustainable over the long term, and this will be exacerbated by increasing numbers of elderly individuals."

In the survey, researchers found that among 11 nations examined, many were struggling to afford and get the problem health care needed.

For the study, officials researched 15,617 older adults in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Findings revealed that about 53 percent of older Americans took at least four medicans, while another 21 percent spend at least $21,000 in yearly out-of-pocket health care costs. This amount was second only to Switzerland and the medications taken were a record high, according to researchers.

The study results also showed that 87 percent of U.S. adults who are 65 or older also suffer from at least one chronic illness while 68 percent have at least two illnesses.