The percentage of adults aged 65+ who have 4 or more chronic health diseases. Chronic diseases may include diabetes, stroke, cancer, asthma, hypertension, hypothyroidism, arthritis, anemia, stroke, glaucoma, cataracts, Alzheimer's disease or related dementia and heart disease, attacks, fibrillation or failure,
Chronic disease can reduce the quality of life for older adults, require caregiving from family or health providers, and become a major expense both for families and for the larger community. When chronic diseases are not managed well, these problems are exacerbated, and serious illness, hospitalization and deaths can occur.
In 2018, 41% of older adults in Essex County had 4 or more chronic diseases, similar to the state and nation, and a 4 percentage point increase from 2007.
The rate in Essex was higher than Middlesex, MA and Westchester County, NY (both at 39%), and Lake County, IL (36%).
The data used in the chronic condition reports are based upon the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administrative enrollment and claims data for Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the fee-for-service program. Chronic condition information is presented at the national, state, county, and is based upon the beneficiary's residence.
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County, MA | 37% | 38% | 39% | 40% | 39% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 41% | 41% | 41% |
| Middlesex County, MA | 35% | 36% | 37% | 37% | 37% | 37% | 37% | 37% | 37% | 37% | 38% | 39% |
| Lake County, IL | 32% | 33% | 34% | 35% | 35% | 35% | 35% | 34% | 34% | 35% | 35% | 36% |
| Westchester County, NY | 39% | 39% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 39% | 39% | 39% | 38% | 39% | 39% | 39% |
| Massachusetts | 36% | 37% | 38% | 39% | 39% | 38% | 38% | 38% | 39% | 39% | 40% | 40% |
