Many seniors in the U.S. are not receiving health services that could be lifesaving, reports HealthDay News. They say that a report released March 14th by the Department of Health and Human Services said that too few seniors are getting the recommended flu and pneumonia vaccines, breast cancer screenings, and many other preventative screenings and services.
HealthDay’s article says that among the findings:
“More than 50 percent of Hispanics aged 65 and older say they had never received a pneumococcal vaccine, along with 47 percent of blacks and Asian/Pacific Islanders, and 36 percent of whites.”
“About 49 percent of Asian/Pacific Islanders and 47 percent of Hispanics said they had not been screened for colorectal cancer, compared with 34 percent of whites.”
Prevention of unnecessary illness would be significantly reduced if seniors could get regular preventative screenings, said Dr. Edward Langston, a board member for the American Medical Association.
Increasing awareness through media exposure and providing these services in a convenient setting would help those 65 and older get the care they need.
