A new report on seniors’ health in Ohio ranks the state 37th overall in terms of quality, with a high prevalence of obesity, smoking and preventable hospitalizations listed as the key challenges.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer of UnitedHealthCare, Employer & Individual, and senior medical adviser to the United Health Care Foundation, spoke to the Mount Vernon News about the findings.

"Drug deaths in seniors went up 100% in the last decade," she said of the findings in the foundation's 2022 Senior Report. "This is mostly opioid, nonprescription. The suicide rate in seniors went up 13% over the last decade. We saw some other concerning trends around mental health – higher rates of frequent mental distress, higher rates of depression, higher rates of excessive drinking – over the past decade."

The trends were already in place before the COVID-19 pandemic, Randall said.

"The pandemic made them a lot worse," she said. "The pandemic exacerbated an already bad problem."

On the positive side, an increasing number of seniors in the study reported that their health was very good or excellent, Randall said.

"That was nice to see," she said. "In the challenges column around our mental behavioral health, some things we can do are pay attention to the risk of social isolation among seniors. Having meaningful social connections is very important."

Volunteering is one of the activities that can help seniors maintain connections.

"Ohio is ranked No. 12 in the nation for the number of seniors who volunteer," Randall said.

Having a regular primary care physician is also important, she said.

"That's also a strength for Ohio," she said. "Ohio is ranked 14th in the nation for seniors who have a dedicated primary case physician."

At the same time, Ohio has among the highest smoking rates in the nation among seniors, said Randall. 

"I think the call to action there is that you are never too old to quit," she said. "You can still get benefits to your health by quitting."

Ohio is also ranked 43rd in the nation for vegetable consumption among seniors and 42nd for physical activity by seniors.

"That's something you can do something about," Randall said. "Even just taking a short walk every day can really help you maintain your independence."

Exercise can also improve your mental health, Randall added.

"Especially if you are exercising with someone else," she said. "Get yourself a walking buddy. That is not only good for your physical health but can really help with your social connections."