QuickStats: Prevalence* of Anemia† Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years, by Sex and Age Group — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2016

Weekly / October 26, 2018 / 67(42);1198

The figure is a bar chart showing the prevalence of anemia among persons aged ≥65 years increased with increasing age for both men and women during 2013–2016.

* With 95% confidence intervals indicated with error bars.

† Anemia was defined using World Health Organization standards: hemoglobin <13 g/dL for men and <12 g/dL for women.

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During 2013–2016, the prevalence of anemia among persons aged ≥65 years increased with increasing age for both men and women. Among men, the prevalence increased from 7.4% for those aged 65–74 years to 39.5% for those aged ≥85 years. The percentage of women with anemia increased from 7.6% for those aged 65–74 years to 21.9% for those aged ≥85 years. The prevalence of anemia was higher for men compared to women among those aged 75–84 years and those aged ≥85 years.

Sources: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2016. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/index.htm; Seitz AE, et al. Anemia prevalence and trends in adults aged 65 and older: U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: 2001–2004 to 2013–2016. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jgs.15530 .

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Reported by: Amy E. Seitz, PhD; Te-Ching Chen, PhD; Susan L. Lukacs, DO, SLukacs@cdc.gov, 301-458-4765.

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Suggested citation for this article: QuickStats: Prevalence of Anemia Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years, by Sex and Age Group — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:1198. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6742a8 .