Healthy People 2010 misses targets on obesity and health disparities

Obesity increases across all age groups, and gaps in care continue to widen in many areas, the report shows.

By Christine S. Moyer, amednews staff. Posted Oct. 24, 2011.

Overall, disparities remained unchanged for about 80% of the objectives, according to the report.

For example, minority and low-income groups continue to be less likely to have a regular source of medical care. Cigarette smoking also remains more common among the poor and those with less education compared with college graduates who have higher incomes.

Health disparities worsened in 13% of the objectives. Deaths due to coronary heart disease is one area where disparities increased for minorities and people with no more than a high school degree.

Also concerning to public health experts is that little progress was made meeting nutrition and weight targets.
The amount of obese adults 20 and older climbed from 23% between 1988 and 1994 to 34% between 2005 and 2008. During that period, obesity among children 6 to 11 increased from 11% to 17%.

Read the complete article at:  http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/24/hlsa1024.htm