Health of Arizona Seniors Is Declining

According to a study by America’s Health Rankings, the health of Arizona seniors is average but nothing spectacular.

The study used more than 30 factors to determine the health of seniors around the country. Arizona has low obesity rates, but a high percentage of intensive care use. It ranked at No. 31.

The state received the same ranking in 2018. It ranked at No. 28 in 2016 and 2017 and at No. 22 in 2015.


The state ranks as the second-best state in the country in hospice care and hospital deaths, and it’s No. 8 in preventable hospitalizations.

They are also No. 8 in prescription drug coverage and obesity. The state falls short in food security for seniors, the rate of seniors who receive flu vaccines, and the prevalence of seniors who much be admitted to ICU. While Arizona has a low number of obese seniors, the numbers have increased from 22% to 25.5% over the last six years.

The study scored states with 1 being the highest and minus-1 the lowest. Arizona scored minus-0.077. Hawaii was highest at 0.778, and the lowest was Mississippi at minus-.989.