Division of Population Health

This section reports on 15 indicators related to the health status of adults aged 65 years or older, health
behaviors, preventive care and screening, and injuries. These indicators were chosen because they can be
modified and they present a comprehensive picture of older adult health. Table 1 shows the most current
data for the United States for each indicator and indicates whether the Healthy People 2020 target was
met, if applicable. For most indicators, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is not the
official data source for tracking the Healthy People 2020 targets. Some of these targets are for all adults
aged 18 or older, not just those aged 65 or older. For this report, we use BRFSS data to report how well
states are doing in meeting Healthy People 2020 targets for their older adult population. Some targets
have been met, but there is always room for improvement. A detailed description of each indicator
follows the report card, and a full description of Healthy People 2020 targets is in the Appendix.
Summary of Findings
The United States has met six of the eight Healthy People 2020 targets for indicators in this report:
no leisure time physical activity, obesity, current smoking, medication for high blood pressure,
mammogram within past 2 years, and colorectal cancer screening.
PAGE 14 The State of Aging and Health in America 2013