UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

This report provides detailed profiles of the health behavior, health status, preventive care, access to services, and demographics for Californians age 65 and over. It examines specific health behaviors such as smoking and drinking habits; health status in relation to heart disease, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, arthritis, skin cancer, difficulty in climbing stairs and emotional problems; preventive care such as cancer screening, bone density testing, hormone replacement therapy and influenza immunization; and access to medical, dental and prescription medication services. Using data culled from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2001 and the 2000 U.S. Census, information is presented for the state, regions, and counties for different racial/ethnic groups, women, those with low incomes, limited English proficiency, and Medi-Cal. The study is the first comprehensive evaluation of the health of California seniors that includes county-level information.