Abstract MP96: Dysglycemia and Mortality in Older Adults With and Without Diabetes

Studies in middle-aged adults report higher levels of glycated hemoglobin are associated with increased risk of mortality in non-diabetic individuals. Few studies have sufficient data to assess this association in older adults. We analyzed data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994), Continuous NHANES (1999-2004), and their linked mortality data (through December 2006) to determine the risk of mortality by levels of HbA1c in older adults with and without diabetes. All analyses are weighted to represent the US population and to account for the complex survey design. Cox proportional hazard models examining the relationship between HbA1c and mortality were adjusted for age, sex, race, education, body mass index, smoking status, HDL cholesterol and hypertension. At baseline, in 7,405 adults, age ≥65 with HbA1c data (42.9% men; 7.5% black; 2.4% Mexican; mean age 73.5 (0.13)), 22.8% had clinically diagnosed diabetes (defined as self-reported physician diagnosis of diabetes and/or use of insulin or hypoglycemic medications). Over a median follow-up of 7.8 years, 4,625 participants (41.9%; 68.1 per 1000 person-years) died due to cardiovascular disease (CVD; n=1520) or non-CVD (n=3105). Non-diabetic older adults with a HbA1c between 5.7-6.4% (defined as “at risk for diabetes” by the American Diabetes Association) had a significantly greater risk of all-cause (HR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.03-1.89) and non-CVD (HR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.13-2.13) mortality compared to those with HbA1c<5.0% (referent). In older diabetic adults, there was a graded increase in mortality risk with significant associations found between HbA1c and all-cause (HR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.13-3.28) and CVD (HR: 2.67; 95% CI: 1.17-6.09) mortality, in analyses comparing participants with a HbA1c between 8.0-8.9% to those with HbA1c <6.5% (referent). These data from a large, nationally representative sample of older adults indicate that dysglycemia is associated with increased mortality risk in older adults with and without diabetes.

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Ambient Air Pollution and Mortality among Older Patients Initiating Maintenance Dialysis

American Journal of Nephrology ◽

10.1159/000514233 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Yijing Feng ◽

Miranda R. Jones ◽

Nadia M. Chu ◽

Dorry L. Segev ◽

Mara McAdams-DeMarco

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Older Patients ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Elevated Risk ◽

Fine Particulate ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Increased Risk

Background: Fine particulate matter (particulate matter with diameter <2.5 µm [PM2.5]) is associated with CKD progression and may impact the health of patients living with kidney failure. While older (aged ≥65 years) adults are most vulnerable to the impact of PM2.5, it is unclear whether older patients on dialysis are at elevated risk of mortality when exposed to fine particulate matter. Methods: Older adults initiating dialysis (2010–2016) were identified from US Renal Data System (USRDS). PM2.5 concentrations were obtained from NASA’s Socioeconomic Data and Application Center (SEDAC) Global Annual PM2.5 Grids. We investigated the association between PM2.5 and all-cause mortality using Cox proportional hazard models with linear splines [knot at the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 of 12 μg/m3] and robust variance. Results: For older dialysis patients who resided in areas with high PM2.5, a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with 1.16-fold (95% CI: 1.08–1.25) increased risk of mortality; furthermore, those who were female (aHR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.13–1.42), Black (aHR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.09–1.59), or had diabetes as a primary cause of kidney failure (aHR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.13–1.38) were most vulnerable to high PM2.5. While the mortality risk associated with PM2.5 was stronger at higher levels (aHR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08–1.32), at lower levels (≤12 μg/m3), PM2.5 was significantly associated with mortality risk (aHR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00–1.07) among patients aged ≥75 years (Pslope difference = 0.006). Conclusions: Older adults initiating dialysis who resided in ZIP codes with PM2.5 levels >12 μg/m3 are at increased risk of mortality. Those aged >75 were at elevated risk even at levels below the EPA Standard for PM2.5.

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Increased risk of mortality associated with social isolation in older men: only when feeling lonely? Results from the Amsterdam Study of the Elderly (AMSTEL)

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291711001772 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. 843-853 ◽

Cited By ~ 104

Author(s):

T. J. Holwerda ◽

A. T. F. Beekman ◽

D. J. H. Deeg ◽

M. L. Stek ◽

T. G. van Tilburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Isolation ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

The Elderly ◽

Older Men ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Men And Women ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Increased Risk

BackgroundLoneliness has a significant influence on both physical and mental health. Few studies have investigated the possible associations of loneliness with mortality risk, impact on men and women and whether this impact concerns the situation of being alone (social isolation), experiencing loneliness (feeling lonely) or both. The current study investigated whether social isolation and feelings of loneliness in older men and women were associated with increased mortality risk, controlling for depression and other potentially confounding factors.MethodIn our prospective cohort study of 4004 older persons aged 65–84 years with a 10-year follow-up of mortality data a Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to test whether social isolation factors and feelings of loneliness predicted an increased risk of mortality, controlling for psychiatric disorders and medical conditions, cognitive functioning, functional status and sociodemographic factors.ResultsAt 10 years follow-up, significantly more men than women with feelings of loneliness at baseline had died. After adjustment for explanatory variables including social isolation, the mortality hazard ratio for feelings of loneliness was 1.30 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–1.63] in men and 1.04 (95% CI 0.90–1.24) in women. No higher risk of mortality was found for social isolation.ConclusionsFeelings of loneliness rather than social isolation factors were found to be a major risk factor for increasing mortality in older men. Developing a better understanding of the nature of this association may help us to improve quality of life and longevity, especially in older men.

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The impact of COVID-19 on adjusted mortality risk in care homes for older adults in Wales, UK: a retrospective population-based cohort study for mortality in 2016–2020

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afaa207 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Joe Hollinghurst ◽

Jane Lyons ◽

Richard Fry ◽

Ashley Akbari ◽

Mike Gravenor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Care Home ◽

Care Homes ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Survival Curves ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background mortality in care homes has had a prominent focus during the COVID-19 outbreak. Care homes are particularly vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases, which may lead to increased mortality risk. Multiple and interconnected challenges face the care home sector in the prevention and management of outbreaks of COVID-19, including adequate supply of personal protective equipment, staff shortages and insufficient or lack of timely COVID-19 testing. Aim to analyse the mortality of older care home residents in Wales during COVID-19 lockdown and compare this across the population of Wales and the previous 4 years. Study Design and Setting we used anonymised electronic health records and administrative data from the secure anonymised information linkage databank to create a cross-sectional cohort study. We anonymously linked data for Welsh residents to mortality data up to the 14th June 2020. Methods we calculated survival curves and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for the risk of mortality. We adjusted HRs for age, gender, social economic status and prior health conditions. Results survival curves show an increased proportion of deaths between 23rd March and 14th June 2020 in care homes for older people, with an adjusted HR of 1.72 (1.55, 1.90) compared with 2016. Compared with the general population in 2016–2019, adjusted care home mortality HRs for older adults rose from 2.15 (2.11, 2.20) in 2016–2019 to 2.94 (2.81, 3.08) in 2020. Conclusions the survival curves and increased HRs show a significantly increased risk of death in the 2020 study periods.

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416 - Risk of Mortality Associated with Antipsychotics in Alzheimer's Disease

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610220002690 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (S1) ◽

pp. 132-132

Author(s):

Liliana P. Ferreira ◽

Núria Santos ◽

Nuno Fernandes ◽

Carla Ferreira

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Antipsychotic Treatment ◽

Serious Adverse Events ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Mesh Terms ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Increased Risk

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and it is associated with increased mortality. The use of antipsychotics is common among the elderly, especially in those with dementia. Evidence suggests an increased risk of mortality associated with antipsychotic use. Despite the short-term benefit of antipsychotic treatment to reduce the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, it increases the risk of mortality in patients with AD. Our aim is to discuss the findings from the literature about risk of mortality associated with the use of antipsychotics in AD.Methods: We searched Internet databases indexed at MEDLINE using following MeSH terms: "Antipsychotic Agents" AND "Alzheimer Disease" OR "Dementia" AND "Mortality" and selected articles published in the last 5 years.Results: Antipsychotics are widely used in the pharmacological treatment of agitation and aggression in elderly patients with AD, but their benefit is limited. Serious adverse events associated with antipsychotics include increased risk of death. The risk of mortality is associated with both typical and atypical antipsychotics. Antipsychotic polypharmacy is associated with a higher mortality risk than monotherapy and should be avoided. The mortality risk increases after the first few days of treatment, gradually reducing but continues to increase after two years of treatment. Haloperidol is associated with a higher mortality risk and quetiapine with a lower risk than risperidone.Conclusions: If the use of antipsychotics is considered necessary, the lowest effective dose should be chosen and the duration should be limited because the mortality risk remains high with long-term use. The risk / benefit should be considered when choosing the antipsychotic. Further studies on the efficacy and risk of adverse events with antipsychotics are needed for a better choice of treatment and adequate monitoring with risk reduction.

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‘Fat but powerful’ paradox: association of muscle power and adiposity markers with all-cause mortality in older adults from the EXERNET multicentre study

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2020-103720 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. bjsports-2020-103720

Author(s):

Julian Alcazar ◽

David Navarrete-Villanueva ◽

Asier Mañas ◽

Alba Gómez-Cabello ◽

Raquel Pedrero-Chamizo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Older People ◽

Multicentre Study ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Muscle Power ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Relative Power ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

All Cause Mortality

ObjectivesTo assess the influence of muscle power and adiposity on all-cause mortality risk and to evaluate the ‘fat but powerful’ (F+P) (or ‘fat but fit’) paradox in older adults.MethodsA total of 2563 older adults (65‒91 years old) from the EXERNET multicentre study were included. Adiposity (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body fat percentage (BF%) and fat index), allometric and relative power (sit-to-stand muscle power test) and various covariates (age, sex, hypertension, smoking status and walking and sitting times per day) were registered at baseline. All-cause mortality was recorded during a median follow-up of 8.9 years. Participants were classified into four groups: lean and powerful (L+P), F+P, lean but weak and fat and weak (F+W). Cox proportional hazard regression models and adjusted HRs were calculated.ResultsAccording to BMI and waist circumference, all-cause mortality risk was reduced in the F+P (HR=0.55 and 0.63, p=0.044 and 0.049, respectively) and L+P (HR=0.57 and 0.58, p=0.043 and 0.025, respectively) groups. According to BF%, all-cause mortality decreased in the L+P group (HR=0.53; p=0.021), and a trend for a reduction was reported in the F+P group (HR=0.57; p=0.060). According to fat index, a survival benefit was only noted in the L+P group (HR=0.50; p=0.049). Higher levels of relative power reduced all-cause mortality risk among older people (HR=0.63 and 0.53, p=0.006 and 0.011, respectively).ConclusionPowerful older people exhibited a reduced 9-year all-cause mortality regardless of BMI, waist circumference and BF%. Obesity according to fat index blunted the survival benefits of being powerful.

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Tuberculosis Mortality by Occupation in South Africa, 2011–2015

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15122756 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 2756 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Tahira Kootbodien ◽

Kerry Wilson ◽

Nonhlanhla Tlotleng ◽

Vusi Ntlebi ◽

Felix Made ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Direct Method ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

World Health ◽

Health Concern ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Middle Income ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk

Work-related tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. The use of vital registration data for monitoring TB deaths by occupation has been unexplored in South Africa. Using underlying cause of death and occupation data for 2011 to 2015 from Statistics South Africa, age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs) were calculated for all persons of working age (15 to 64 years) by the direct method using the World Health Organization (WHO) standard population. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate mortality odds ratios (MORs) for occupation groups, adjusting for age, sex, year of death, province of death, and smoking status. Of the 221,058 deaths recorded with occupation data, 13% were due to TB. ASMR for TB mortality decreased from 165.9 to 88.8 per 100,000 population from 2011 to 2015. An increased risk of death by TB was observed among elementary occupations: agricultural labourers (MORadj = 3.58, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 2.96–4.32), cleaners (MORadj = 3.44, 95% CI 2.91–4.09), and refuse workers (MORadj = 3.41, 95% CI 2.88–4.03); among workers exposed to silica dust (MORadj = 3.37, 95% CI 2.83–4.02); and among skilled agricultural workers (MORadj = 3.31, 95% CI 2.65–4.19). High-risk TB occupations can be identified from mortality data. Therefore, TB prevention and treatment policies should be prioritised in these occupations.

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Association of Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure With All-Cause Mortality Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Prospective Observational Study

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/08982643211055245 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089826432110552

Author(s):

Qian Lian ◽

Tazeen H. Jafar ◽

John C. Allen ◽

Stefan Ma ◽

Rahul Malhotra

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Older Adults ◽

Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Representative Study ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives To assess the association of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with mortality among older adults in Singapore. Methods Association of SBP and DBP measured in 2009 for 4443 older adults (69.5±7.4 years; 60–97 years) participating in a nationally representative study with mortality risk through end-December 2015 was assessed using Cox regression. Results Higher mortality risk was observed at the lower and upper extremes of SBP and DBP. With SBP of 100–119 mmHg as the reference, multivariable mortality hazard ratios [HRs (95% confidence interval)] were SBP <100 mmHg: 2.41 (1.23–4.72); SBP 160–179 mmHg: 1.51 (1.02–2.22); and SBP ≥180 mmHg: 1.78 (1.12–2.81). With DBP of 70–79 mmHg as the reference, HRs were DBP <50 mmHg: 2.41 (1.28–4.54) and DBP ≥110 mmHg: 2.16 (1.09–4.31). Discussion Management of high blood pressure among older adults will likely reduce their mortality risk. However, the association of excessively low SBP and DBP values with mortality risk needs further evaluation.

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Abstract P058: Elevated Systolic Blood Pressure is Associated with Mortality in Faster, but Not Slower Walking Elderly Adults

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.125.suppl_10.ap058 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽

Author(s):

Michelle C Odden ◽

Carmen A Peralta ◽

Mary N Haan ◽

Kenneth E Covinsky

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

At Risk ◽

High Blood Pressure ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Mortality Data ◽

P Value ◽

Elderly Adults ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Increased Risk

Introduction: The association between high blood pressure (BP) and risk of death varies by age and appears to be attenuated in some elderly adults. Walking speed is an excellent measure of functional status and may identify which elders may be most at risk for the adverse consequences of hypertension. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that elevated BP would be associated with greater risk of mortality in faster walkers, but not in slower walkers. Methods: The study population included 2,340 persons ≥ 65 years, with measured BP, in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) waves 1999-2000 and 2001-2002. Mortality data was linked to death certificate data in the National Death Index. Walking speed was measured over a 20-foot walk; 243 (8%) did not complete the walk for various safety and logistical reasons. Participants with walking speed above the mean (2.7 ft/sec) were classified as faster walkers. Potential confouders included age, sex, race, survey year, lifestyle and physiologic factors, chronic health conditions, and antihypertensive use. Results: There were 589 deaths recorded through December 31 st , 2006. Among faster walkers, those with elevated systolic BP (≥140 mmHg) had a higher mortality rate compared to those with systolic BP <140 mmHg (236 vs. 161 per 100,000 person-years). Among slower walkers, mortality rates did not appear to differ by the presence of elevated systolic BP (586 vs. 563 per 100,000 person-years). This pattern remained after multivariable adjustment; there was an association between elevated systolic BP and mortality in faster, but not slower walkers (Table). Elevated diastolic BP was not independently associated with an increased risk of mortality. Conclusions: If confirmed in other studies, walking speed could be a simple measure to identify elderly adults who are most at risk for poor outcomes related to high blood pressure. Table Association of elevated blood pressure and mortality, stratified by walking speed Hazard Ratio (HR) of Death Faster Walking Speed >2.7 ft/sec (n = 1,279) Slower Walking Speed ≤ 2.7 ft/sec (n = 818) p-value for interaction HR (95% CI) p-value HR (95% CI) p-value Elevated Systolic BP (≥140 mmHg) 1.44 (1.04, 1.99) 0.03 1.08 (0.82, 1.42) 0.56 0.11 Elevated Diastolic BP (≥90 mmHg) 1.09 (0.52, 2.27) 0.82 0.65 (0.30, 1.45) 0.28 0.28 Funding (This research has received full or partial funding support from the American Heart Association, Western States Affiliate (California, Nevada&Utah))

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IMPACT OF HIGH BODY MASS INDEX ON FRAILTY AND MORTALITY IN MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2522 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S683-S683

Author(s):

Kulapong Jayanama ◽

Olga Theou ◽

Judith Godin ◽

Leah Cahill ◽

Kenneth Rockwood

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Metabolic Diseases ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Frailty Index ◽

High Body Mass Index ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Health And Nutrition

Abstract Obesity is associated with higher risk of metabolic diseases. How body mass index (BMI) relates to mortality across frailty levels is controversial. We investigated the association of high BMI with frailty, and their effects on mortality. We included 36,583 participants aged ≥50 years from the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cohorts (7,372) and 29,211 participants aged ≥50 years from wave 1 (2004) of Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). BMI was categorized as: normal: 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, overweight: 25-29.9, obese I: 30-34.9 and obese II+III: >35. A frailty index (FI) was constructed excluding nutrition-related items using 36 items for NHANES and 68 items for SHARE. Mortality data were obtained until 2015. All analyses were adjusted for educational, marital, working and smoking status. In participant aged 50-65 years, higher BMI was associated with greater frailty. Being obese level II+III increased mortality risk in male participants aged 50-65 years with FI≤0.1 [NHANES (hazard ratio (HR) 2.10, 95%CI 1.17-3.79); SHARE (2.35,1.14-4.87)]. In males aged >65 years with FI>0.3, being overweight and obese (any level) decreased mortality risk. In females aged 50-65 years, higher BMI was not associated with mortality across all frailty levels. BMI and frailty were cross-sectionally associated. The subsequent mortality impact differed by age, sex, and frailty. Obesity was not associated with mortality in middle-aged females, regardless of the degree of frailty. In males, obesity was harmful in those who were fit in middle age and protective in moderately/severely frail older ones.

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Physical Functioning Decline and Mortality in Older Adults With Multimorbidity: Joint Modeling of Longitudinal and Survival Data

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/gly038 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 74 (2) ◽

pp. 226-232 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Melissa Y Wei ◽

Mohammed U Kabeto ◽

Andrzej T Galecki ◽

Kenneth M Langa

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Physical Functioning ◽

Survival Data ◽

Short Form ◽

Joint Modeling ◽

Full Spectrum ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Multimorbidity is common among older adults and strongly associated with physical functioning decline and increased mortality. However, the full spectrum of direct and indirect effects of multimorbidity on physical functioning and survival has not been quantified. We aimed to determine the longitudinal relationship of multimorbidity on physical functioning and quantify the impact of multimorbidity and multimorbidity-attributed changes in physical functioning on mortality risk. Methods The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is a nationally representative population-based prospective cohort of adults aged 51 or older. In 2000, participants were interviewed about physician-diagnosed chronic conditions, from which their multimorbidity-weighted index (MWI) was computed. Between 2000 and 2011, participants reported their current physical functioning using a modified Short Form-36. With MWI as a time-varying exposure, we jointly modeled its associations with physical functioning and survival. Results The final sample included 74,037 observations from 18,174 participants. At baseline, participants had a weighted mean MWI of 4.6 ± 4.2 (range 0–36.8). During follow-up, physical functioning declined: −1.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] −1.77, −1.67, p < .001) HRS physical functioning units per point MWI in adjusted models. Over follow-up, 6,362 (34%) participants died. Mortality risk increased 8% (hazard ratio 1.08, 95% CI 1.07–1.08, p < .001) per point MWI in adjusted models. Across all population subgroups, MWI was associated with greater physical functioning decline and mortality risk. Conclusions Multimorbidity and its associated decline in physical functioning were significantly associated with increased mortality. These associations can be predicted with an easily interpreted and applied multimorbidity index that can better identify and target adults at increased risk for disability and death.

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