Texas is one of the worst states for senior health, life expectancy
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Texas ranks near the bottom in the nation for states with the most improved outlooks for people over 65, a study found.
The Good Brigade/Getty ImagesEven as death rates across the U.S. for the top five causes of death for people over 65 have decreased, the rate increased in Texas, according to a study from senior living resource site Seniorly. The rate for the top five causes of death, COPD, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s, increased 12% over the last decade in the Lone Star State, the study found, ranking 45th in the nation.
The death rate in Washington D.C. for these causes of death decreased the most between 2010 and 2020, falling 18%, the study found. While Texas’ rate increased, the rise was less than half of Utah’s, the state with the largest increase at 26%.
The ranking comes from Seniorly’s study on the states with the most improved outlooks for seniors over the last decade. The study examined federal data across four different categories: physical health, mental health, finances and social factors.
The states with the most improved outlooks for seniors over the last decade include Washington, North Dakota and Massachusetts, the study found. Nevada, Michigan and Utah were among the least-improved states.
States were awarded points for 12 different factors across the four categories with a total possible score of 306. Texas scored a total of 130.8 and ranked near the bottom of the U.S. for the most improved states, coming in at No. 34.
Generally, the study found the average monthly Social Security check increased and fewer older people are living alone or without internet access in the last decade. Additionally, 13 states saw a decline in the number of self-inflicted deaths of older Americans over the last 10 years. More than half of states saw an increase in the percentage of people over 65 below the poverty line, as well, the study found.