Chicago Department of Public Health Releases Older Adult Health Report

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Health

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Health

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Center for Community Health Equity (CCHE) jointly released a report describing the health status of Chicago’s older adult population. In 2016, there were more than 300,000 adults over the age of 65 living in Chicago, and this number is expected to grow. The report provides an in depth look at older adult health and well-being across a range of topics by gender, race and ethnicity. This report builds on the goals of Healthy Chicago 2.0, the city’s comprehensive plan to improve health equity. The plan provides concrete actions to help ensure that all residents, including older adults, not only have access to the services and resources they need, but also live and age well in an environment that is healthy and affirming. The Center for Community Health Equity is a collaboration of DePaul University and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Highlights from the report include:

• The older adult population in Chicago is increasing, both in terms of the overall number of older adults in the city, and the proportion they make up of the overall population.

• Once they reach age 65, older adults in Chicago are expected to live to 84.1 years.

• Heart disease, cancer and stroke are the three leading causes of death for older adults, regardless of gender or race/ethnicity.

• Older adults, regardless of gender or race/ethnicity, report a high level of neighborhood belonging.

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