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The latest news from every corner of the state, including policy emerging from Missouri's capitol.

Report: MO Older Adults Face Steep Addiction, Mental-Health Challenges

doctor gives corona virus vaccine, home care service concept
Dejan Dundjerski/cherryandbees - stock.adobe.com
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The increase in the flu vaccination rate in the last decade is the highest in United Healthcare's Senior Report history.

Older Americans are dying from drug overdose or suicide at much higher rates now compared with a decade ago, according to the latest America's Health Rankings Senior Report from UnitedHealthcare.

The report found suicides have increased by 13%, depression is up 9%, and drug deaths among people 65 and older have doubled in the last 10 to 12 years.

Greg Smith, executive director of the Missouri Coalition of Recovery Support Providers, said during the pandemic, attention has been drawn away from the opioid and addiction crisis, but he urged refocusing to tackle the issue.

"People are dying all around us every day," Smith pointed out. "Each year, it's been record deaths. And last year 107,000 people died nationally of drug overdoses. And primarily that's due to fentanyl and opioids."

Smith noted recovery is often not just stopping using drugs and alcohol, but also accessing wraparound services such as stable housing and employment. Among people ages 65-74, the drug-related death rate spiked 147% in the last decade. In addition, the early death rate shot up for adults 65-74 during the pandemic, after falling for a decade before.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare employer and individual, said the social distancing required during COVID has taken a particularly heavy toll on older people.

"The risk of social isolation is measuring a lack of meaningful social connectedness among seniors," Randall explained. "Things that put you at risk are being never married, widowed, divorced, separated, living alone, living in poverty."

The report did have some good news: Researchers found the percentage of adults 65 or older who report being in "very good or excellent" health increased by 13 pointed from 2011 to 2020. And flu vaccinations are up. More than 67% of seniors get flu shots, compared with about 60% in 2011.

Originally from just outside Boston, Lily Bohlke is formerly from 2020Talks, a show tracking politics and elections, that started prior to the 2020 Iowa caucuses at KHOI in Ames. She's also a past intern for the Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism.
Josh Seabaugh has been at Southeast since 2018. While journalism was his second major, he's found his home is truly in this field. He is a part of 'Redhawk Rhythm', Southeast's a capella group. During his downtime, he watches shows or plays games with his girlfriend, who has been his biggest supporter.