PUTRAJAYA: Only about 14.7% of senior citizens are ageing well while the majority are battling chronic disease and frailty, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
"Chronic diseases among the elderly are increasing with 39% having diabetes, 73% having hypertension, and 76% having high cholesterol,” he said when announcing the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2025 results on Monday (April 20).
The findings are based on health surveys involving about 7,500 Malaysian senior citizens.
"The survey also found that 68% of seniors have at least two of these three chronic diseases, while 30% have all three.
"These findings are concerning and emphasise the need for comprehensive strategies," he said.
The NHMS is a nationwide population survey conducted by the Institute for Public Health (IKU), and the ministry to provide information on the health status of Malaysians.
NHMS 2025 is also the second time reviewing the health of senior citizens aged 60 and above, following the first survey in 2018.
