 |
 |
Americans living longer and better
Updated:
© iStockphoto.com / Willie B. ThomasHealthMore>>
Hospital discharge at Christmastime may not be a gift for some
Hospital discharge at Christmastime may not be a gift for some
No one wants to spend the holidays in a hospital bed, but heading home might not be a good idea, new research suggests.
Full StoryNo one wants to spend the holidays in a hospital bed, but heading home might not be a good idea, new research suggests.
Full StorySleep, don't cram, before finals for better grades
Sleep, don't cram, before finals for better grades
It's a college tradition to pull "all-nighters" during final exams. But students may get better grades if they simply go to bed early, two new studies suggest.
Full StoryIt's a college tradition to pull "all-nighters" during final exams. But students may get better grades if they simply go to bed early, two new studies suggest.
Full StorySporting events dangerous for spectators, too
Sporting events dangerous for spectators, too
Serious sports injuries aren't confined to athletes -- spectators also run that risk, a new study finds.
Full StorySerious sports injuries aren't confined to athletes -- spectators also run that risk, a new study finds.
Full StoryMore green space may mean a healthier heart
More green space may mean a healthier heart
Living in a neighborhood with lots of greenery just might protect your ticker.
Full StoryLiving in a neighborhood with lots of greenery just might protect your ticker.
Full StoryMore are seeking mental health care, but not always those who need it most
More are seeking mental health care, but not always those who need it most
A new report shows the rate of people with serious psychological distress is declining, and more folks are seeking mental health care on an outpatient basis
Full StoryA new report shows the rate of people with serious psychological distress is declining, and more folks are seeking mental health care on an outpatient basis
Full StoryMore blood pressure meds recalled due to carcinogen
More blood pressure meds recalled due to carcinogen
Over the past few months, numerous recalls of the popular heart drug valsartan have already occurred. Now, generics maker Mylan Pharmaceuticals is adding more products to the list.
Full StoryOver the past few months, numerous recalls of the popular heart drug valsartan have already occurred. Now, generics maker Mylan Pharmaceuticals is adding more products to the list.
Full StoryGene therapy for sickle cell takes another step forward
Gene therapy for sickle cell takes another step forward
A new gene therapy shows early promise against sickle cell anemia, researchers say.
Full StoryA new gene therapy shows early promise against sickle cell anemia, researchers say.
Full StoryTip the scale in your favor
Tip the scale in your favor
Whether you track your diet efforts on paper or with an app, frequent and consistent self-monitoring contributes to success.
Full StoryWhether you track your diet efforts on paper or with an app, frequent and consistent self-monitoring contributes to success.
Full StoryRethinking where you shop for food
Rethinking where you shop for food
A change as simple as where you do most of your food shopping could translate to a better diet.
Full StoryA change as simple as where you do most of your food shopping could translate to a better diet.
Full StoryDrug halves tumor recurrence for women with a common breast cancer
Drug halves tumor recurrence for women with a common breast cancer
For certain women with early stage breast cancer, a newer drug that combines an antibody with chemotherapy may cut the risk of disease recurrence in half, a new trial finds.
Full StoryFor certain women with early stage breast cancer, a newer drug that combines an antibody with chemotherapy may cut the risk of disease recurrence in half, a new trial finds.
Full Story
(HealthDay News) -- Americans aren't just living longer, they're living more years without disabilities, too, a new study shows.
Harvard University researchers reviewed federal government data. They found that in 1992, life expectancy for the average 65-year-old was 17.5 additional years, 8.9 of which were disability-free. By 2008, life expectancy for someone age 65 was an additional 18.8 years, 10.7 of which were disability-free.
"This suggests, for the typical person, there really is an act beyond work -- that once you reach age 65, you can likely look forward to years of healthy activity," said study co-author David Cutler, a professor of applied economics at Harvard.
"So this is good news for the vast bulk of people who can now look forward to healthier, disability-free life, but it's also good news for medical care because it demonstrates the value of medical spending," he said in a university news release.
The researchers said improvements in vision care and in heart disease prevention and treatment are major factors behind the trend towards healthier, longer lives.
"There has been an incredibly dramatic decline in deaths and disabilities from heart disease and heart failure. Some of it is the result of people smoking less, and better diet, but we estimate that as much as half of the improvement is because of medical care, especially statin drug treatment, which is both preventing heart attacks and improving people's recovery," Cutler said.
Cataract treatment is responsible for much of the improvement in vision health.
"In the past, cataract surgery was very lengthy and technically difficult. That same surgery today can be done in an outpatient setting, so that complications and disability are significantly ameliorated," Cutler said.
"It used to be that when you turn 70, your occupation became managing your health. Now you can increasingly just live your life," he concluded.
The study is described in a working paper released recently by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on healthy aging.
Copyright © 2016 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.
|