A growing body of scientific evidence points to the importance of health habits in determining your health status in later life. Good health habits can prevent, delay or reduce the impact of most diseases and disability. You can ensure your own health and vitality (and that of your clients) as you grow older by practicing good habits. By taking charge of your life in areas such as nutrition, physical fitness, sleep and smoking you can reduce your risk of premature death, decrease your risk for chronic conditions and disabilities, and enjoy increased vitality.

Prevention Works

Prior to this century acute illnesses (e.g. smallpox, diptheria, whooping cough) were the major causes of mortality. This is no longer the case-- not because we found cures for these conditions-- but rather because we can prevent them with vaccines. Prevention efforts have now turned towards eradicating the chronic conditions (e.g. heart disease, cancer, stroke) that are the leading causes of death. heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Hundreds of clinical trials show that prevention is an effective strategy for avoiding these conditions. In particular, your health behaviors--particularly good nutrition and being physically fit-- can significantly reduce your risk for premature death, disease and disability.

Baby Boomers Need Prevention.

By 2030, an estimated 78 million Americans will be over age 65. As the baby boomers enter their eighth, ninth and tenth decades of life they will face the challenges of osteoporosis (age-related bone loss), osteoarthritis (arthritis of aging), heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. Once again, the most successful approach to healthy aging will no doubt be prevention.