The majority of older Americans feel good about their health, despite the fact that two-thirds have multiple chronic illnesses, a survey reveals.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2017 National Health Interview Survey shows that 82 percent of senior citizens rated their health as 'excellent', 'very good' or 'good'.
Only 18 percent described their health as 'fair' or 'poor'.
But according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, roughly 60 percent of adults above age 65 are battling at least two chronic conditions.
Such illnesses include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and Alzheimer's disease.
Health experts told Kaiser Health News that many older adults consider good health to mean they can remain socially active and be in satisfied in life rather than the state of their physical condition.
Additionally, research has found that there is an association between good self-rated health and lowered risk of mortality, meaning that think you're health is good may help you live longer.
The 2017 National Health Interview Survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed at 82% of senior citizens rated their health as 'excellent', 'very good' or 'good' (file image)
According to the survey, about 18 percent of adults aged 65 to 74 described their health as excellent, and 32 percent each rated their health as very good or good.
On the other hand, roughly 14 percent said their health was fair and just four
