Continuous Improvement and the Expansion of Quality ... - NCQA

T H E S TAT E o f H E A l T H C A R E Q U A l I T y 2 0 1 1 • H E D I S M E A S U R E S o f C A R E
PHySICAl ACTIVITy IN olDER ADUlTS
Physical activity in older adults is an important part of managing chronic diseases like diabetes,
obesity and high blood pressure. Physical activity helps older adults maintain their ability to live
independently and reduces the risk of falling and fracturing bones. 1,2 The Physical Activity in
Older Adults measure assesses whether older adults have either discussed or received advice
from their physician about exercise.
• lack of physical activity is one of the major
causes of obesity. About 14 percent of
all deaths in the U.S. can be attributed to
insufficient physical activity and inadequate
nutrition. 3
• Physical inactivity increases with age.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention reveal that 28 percent–34
percent of adults 65–74 are inactive and
engage in little or no physical activity, and
35 percent–44 percent of adults 75 or
older are not as active as they should be. 4
• Regular exercise and increased aerobic
fitness are associated with a decrease in
all-cause mortality and morbidity in older
adults. 1 Research proves that older adults
have more to gain from physical activity
than younger adults. 1,2
the Case for Improvement
• The medical costs for inactive adults are
substantially higher than for active adults,
and the cost of inactivity increases with
age. If inactive older adults increased their
physical activity to 90 minutes per week,
$2,200 per person could be saved in
health care costs every year. 3,5
• The number of older Americans is
expected to double in the next two
decades. Approximately 95 percent of
health care spending for older adults is
attributed to chronic conditions. lack of
physical activity among older adults is
an independent risk factor for a range of
chronic diseases. 3,5 80 percent of older
adults have at least one chronic condition;
50 percent have at least two.
• Regular physical activity for older adults
has beneficial health effects on a variety of
health outcomes, including decreased risk
of early death, heart disease and diabetes;
weight loss; fall prevention; reduced
depression; and improved cognitive
function. 6,7
111
HEdIs Measure definition
This survey-based measure assesses the
percentage of Medicare adults age 65 and
older who had a doctor’s visit in the past 12
months and who:
M E A S U R E S T A R G E T E D A T o l D E R A D U l T S