Older people in New York are dying from drug overdose or suicide at much higher rates compared with a decade ago. That’s according to the latest America’s Health Rankings Senior Report from UnitedHealthcare. The report found in New York, suicides have increased nearly 10 percent, frequent mental distress is up about nine percent and drug deaths among people 65 and older have doubled in the last decade. United Healthcare’s Dr. Rhonda Randall says social distancing requirements during COVID took a particularly heavy toll on older people…
New York ranked 32nd overall in the report. There is some good news – between 2011 and 2020, the number of adults reporting high health status went up 30 percent in the state. Since 2016, there are also nearly 30 percent more home health aides able to provide care to older New Yorkers.