The annual report, published by UnitedHealth Group, ranks states on over 50 dimensions of health.
The number of deaths due to drug injury increased from 2017 to 2022. From 2017 to 2019, there were 7.6 drug deaths per 100,000 adults over 65. That number rose to 11.5 per 100,000 in 2020 to 2022. Delaware saw the largest increase in drug-related deaths among older adults, jumping 157% from 2017-2019 to 2020-2022.
Depression among older adults also increased 6% from 2021 to 2022. In 2022, 14.6% of adults over 65 reported symptoms of depression.
The number of older adults reporting frequent mental distress rose to the highest level in the history of the Senior Report. In 2022, 9.4% of older adults reported 14 or more days or poor mental health per month, up from 8.5% in 2021.
Depression and frequent mental distress were higher among older adults with disabilities, especially those with difficulties with cognition, the report found.
Read the full report here.
