Commission has acted upon several measures to guarantee the enforcement of its suggestions.
In the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, the health concerns of the elderly population align closely with the leading causes of death nationwide, primarily cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms (cancers).
According to data, cardiovascular diseases account for about 21.7% of deaths, and neoplasms 22.6% nationwide, which likely reflects the disease burden in Saxony-Anhalt's elderly population as well.
However, Saxony-Anhalt stands out in some areas. For instance, it is last in the state ranking for back pain among the age group of 60 to 69-year-olds. On the other hand, the federal state is in 11th place in the state ranking for lipid metabolism disorders such as high cholesterol among the same age group.
Obesity is another area of concern, with Saxony-Anhalt in sixth place in the state with 106 obese individuals per 1,000, occurring significantly more frequently than the national average, where it is in ninth place with 77 affected individuals per 1,000.
Vision impairment is a significant issue in Saxony-Anhalt, being the fourth most common diagnosis for individuals aged 70 to 79, and the third most common nationwide. Vision impairment in older age can be well-managed, but there are also frequent diagnoses in Saxony-Anhalt that are potentially preventable.
Mental health is another area of concern, with depressive episodes being more common in Saxony-Anhalt compared to the national average. The top 10 ranking for depressive episodes in Saxony-Anhalt shows around 88 affected individuals per 1,000, while nationwide, this disease is in eighth place, but with a lower rate of around 80 affected BARMER insured individuals per 1,000.
Diabetes mellitus type 2 is also more prevalent in Saxony-Anhalt compared to the national average, with 126 affected individuals per 1,000, while it is in sixth place nationwide with a rate of only 86 affected BARMER insured individuals per 1,000.
Adequate exercise and a healthy diet could potentially slow or mitigate the progression of vision impairment, diabetes, and lipid metabolism disorders, as well as have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system.
Axel Wiedemann, BARMER state manager in Saxony-Anhalt, stated that Saxony-Anhalt is a comparatively heavily health-burdened federal state. However, he also emphasised that many diagnoses in Saxony-Anhalt are potentially preventable or their progression can be slowed by a healthy lifestyle.
Despite the challenges, it's clear that a focus on preventative measures and maintaining a healthy lifestyle could significantly improve the health outcomes for the elderly population in Saxony-Anhalt.
- In the field of science, research on therapies and treatments for chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus type 2 could potentially improve health outcomes for the elderly population in Saxony-Anhalt, where the prevalence is higher than the national average.
- The federal state of Saxony-Anhalt has a higher-than-average incidence of obesity, with 106 obese individuals per 1,000, compared to the national average of 77 affected individuals per 1,000, which may be linked to excessive fat content by weight.
- Vision health is a significant concern in both Saxony-Anhalt and nationwide, with the federal state being fourth and nationwide being third in the rankings for most common diagnoses among individuals aged 70 to 79.
- Workplace-wellness programs focusing on fitness and exercise could help address the high prevalence of obesity and potentially preventable conditions in Saxony-Anhalt, as a healthy lifestyle could slow or mitigate the progression of these conditions, including vision impairment, diabetes, and lipid metabolism disorders.
- Mental health issues, such as depressive episodes, are more common in Saxony-Anhalt compared to the national average, with around 88 affected individuals per 1,000 in Saxony-Anhalt, contrasted with 80 affected BARMER insured individuals per 1,000 nationwide.
- Skin care is an essential aspect of health and wellness, and it's crucial to ensure that the elderly population in Saxony-Anhalt, which has a relatively high disease burden, receives adequate information and resources for maintaining good skin health.
