Boomers are getting older in less-than-optimal health

Washington -- Physicians should brace themselves for a surge of chronically ill patients over the next decade, as many of the oldest baby boomers are likely to fill their retirement calendars with doctor appointments rather than golf dates, according to a new federal report.

Rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and strokes could increase among those ages 55 to 64 due to growing rates of obesity and hypertension, according to Health, United States, 2005, an annual look at the nation's vital signs taken by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.

The health of the oldest baby boomers was given particularly close scrutiny in the new report, and the findings do not bode well for many of those nearing retirement age. Half of Americans 55 to 64 have high blood pressure, and two in five are obese, according to the report.

Hypertension rates and obesity have been steadily increasing over time for this age group. Measures taken from 1988 to 1994 and from 1999 to 2002 show hypertension prevalence rose from 42% to 50%, and obesity increased from 31% to 39%.

The report also found that the oldest baby boomers are more likely to visit health care practitioners. The percentage of 55- to 64-year-olds who paid at least one health care visit in the past year rose from 85% to 89%. And those who made four or more visits rose from 43% to 50%.

The flagging health of baby boomers, coupled with their tremendous numbers -- 78 million in total and about 29 million in the leading edge -- is likely to mean that they will be major consumers of health services. This month, the first members of the group turn 60, and by 2011 they will become eligible for Medicare.

Those high numbers will continue until 2029, when the youngest of the baby boomers will have reached 65.

The report is compiled from data gathered by state and federal health agencies and through ongoing national surveys.

"The report augers poorly for the future health of Americans," said AMA Trustee Ron Davis, MD. Cardiovascular disease had been declining in recent years, and the conventional wisdom had pegged the decline to the reduction in such risk factors as hypertension and high cholesterol. "So the fact that we are seeing an increase in high blood pressure in this particular age group is very worrisome."

Obesity at fault

"My suspicion is that this increase in hypertension is directly linked to an increase in obesity," Dr. Davis said. "Despite the fact that we have effective medications to control high blood pressure, we are seeing an increase in hypertension presumably related to the increased prevalence in obesity."

The report's findings aren't surprising. Paul Ribisl, PhD, professor and chair of Health Exercise Science at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., has seen the obesity problem coming for years. He can describe a talk he gave on the issue in 1999.

Many Americans are caught in a "perfect storm" for obesity -- "being genetically predisposed and then being placed in an environment where all physical activity is removed and you are faced with large portions of unhealthy, cheap, accessible food," he said.

He cautions against using body mass index alone as a measure of health. A key factor is where the weight is distributed on the body, and weight deposited around the abdomen is unhealthy. "If you pack your weight around your buttocks and thighs, it's a safer way to carry it around," Dr. Ribisl said.

Dr. Ribisl also is very concerned about the rising rates of type 2 diabetes, especially among people in their teens and 20s, which can lead to "a long life of misery and very expensive complications."

But it's not too late to correct this dire situation, federal officials said. "It's time to act against both conditions," said Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt. "Controlling blood pressure and obesity is crucial for health, and particularly for baby boomers as they grow older."

CDC Director Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH, urged 55- to 64-year-olds to take careful stock of their health, paying heed to weight, cholesterol level, blood pressure, risk of heart attack and any signs of diabetes.

"The late 50s and early 60s are a crucial time of life to focus on disease prevention," Dr. Gerberding said. "It's never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle to enjoy a longer, healthier life."

Even small lifestyle changes can lead to better health, said William Fulton, MD, medical director of Kronos, a Phoenix-based health care group that focuses on prevention.

Breaking down a recommended 150-minute-a-week walking program into 10 to 15 minutes segments a few times a day might be a much more acceptable exercise program for a sedentary patient than a 30-minute-per-day walk, he said.

Dr. Fulton also recommends simple dietary changes. Many soft drinks, for instance, can greatly increase an individual's caloric consumption. "My favorite three drinks are water, water and water,"

Although many adults in their late 50s and early 60s enjoy good health, others are already dealing with chronic and debilitating diseases and, should they lack health insurance because of early retirement, their health problems can be compounded, the report found.

People 55 to 64 often have more frequent and more severe health problems than young people. In particular, the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and other chronic diseases increases with age.