Physical Inactivity - Ages 65+

Physical Inactivity - Ages 65+ in Mississippi

Mississippi

Physical inactivity, or living a sedentary lifestyle, can increase the risk of several negative health outcomes, such as:

• Cardiovascular disease.
• Cancer and cancer mortality.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Premature death.

Around 10% of deaths among adults ages 40-69 and 7.8% of deaths among adults ages 70 and older can be attributed to physical inactivity. Costs associated with physical inactivity account for more than 11% of total health care expenditures and are estimated at $117 billion annually.

The prevalence of physical inactivity is higher among:

• Older women compared with older men.
• American Indian/Alaska Native, Black and Hispanic older adults compared with non-Hispanic white, Asian and multiracial older adults.
• Older adults with less than a high school education, who have a prevalence more than double that of college graduates; the prevalence decreases with each increase in education level. 
• Older adults with an annual household income less than $25,000, who have a prevalence more than double that of those making $75,000 or more annually; the prevalence decreases with each increase in income level. 
• Older adults living in non-metropolitan areas compared with those in metropolitan areas.
• Older adults with a disability.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that adults ages 65 and older get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly. 

Increasing physical activity has been found to reduce mortality from all causes and can prevent or delay the onset of many chronic diseases. Successful interventions among older adults include:

• The EnhanceFitness program. This low-cost program aims to improve older adults’ fitness levels. Participants have experienced increases in their physical and mental health. The program has driven down health costs and is associated with fewer unplanned hospitalizations.
• The SilverSneakers program. Select Medicare plans offer this program to older adults at no additional cost and provide access to multiple fitness facilities nationwide. Those who participate more frequently in this program report better physical and mental health outcomes and have lower health care costs. 
• Increasing neighborhood walkability. A growing body of evidence illustrates the importance of the built environment and community design in promoting physical activity. Neighborhood walkability can be assessed and improved by using the Active Communities tool. 

The CDC offers further strategies and tools that public health professionals can use to encourage community-based physical activities for older adults, as well as information on how older Americans can add physical activity to their lives.

Healthy People 2030 has several goals related to physical activity, including reducing the proportion of adults who do no physical activity in their free time and increasing the proportion of older adults with physical or cognitive health problems who get physical activity.

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“Report to Congress: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Evaluation of Community-Based Wellness and Prevention Programs under Section 4202 (b) of the Affordable Care Act,” 2013. https://innovation.cms.gov/files/reports/communitywellnessrtc.pdf.

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