 |
 |
Americans living longer and better
Updated:
© iStockphoto.com / Willie B. ThomasHealthMore>>
Affected by the Valsartan heart drug recall? Here's what to do
Affected by the Valsartan heart drug recall? Here's what to do
iStockphoto.com / Stepan Popov
Several common blood pressure and heart failure drugs were recalled
Full StorySeveral common blood pressure and heart failure drugs were recalled
Full StoryCancer survival drops with complementary therapy: study
Cancer survival drops with complementary therapy: study
iStockphoto.com / Thinkstock
People with curable cancers who try "complementary therapy" often refuse some part of standard care. And they may die as a result, researchers say.
Full StoryPeople with curable cancers who try "complementary therapy" often refuse some part of standard care. And they may die as a result, researchers say.
Full StoryIn the ICU, patients' relatives often mum about care concerns
In the ICU, patients' relatives often mum about care concerns
iStockphoto / Thinkstock
Many family members of intensive care unit (ICU) patients are reluctant to tell medical staff of worries about their loved one's care, a new study finds.
Full StoryMany family members of intensive care unit (ICU) patients are reluctant to tell medical staff of worries about their loved one's care, a new study finds.
Full StorySupplement may ease the pain of sickle cell disease
Supplement may ease the pain of sickle cell disease
An FDA-approved supplement reduces episodes of severe pain in people with sickle cell disease, a new clinical trial shows.
Full StoryAn FDA-approved supplement reduces episodes of severe pain in people with sickle cell disease, a new clinical trial shows.
Full StoryTop of teachers' to-do list: focus on the positives
Top of teachers' to-do list: focus on the positives
© iStockphoto.com / Nancy Louie
Students gain when teachers focus on positive behavior.
Full StoryStudents gain when teachers focus on positive behavior.
Full StoryMore pregnant women having heart attacks
More pregnant women having heart attacks
iStockphoto.com / Günay Mutlu
Few women consider the scary possibility that they might suffer a heart attack during or right after their pregnancy, but a new report shows it has become a more common reality in recent years.
Full StoryFew women consider the scary possibility that they might suffer a heart attack during or right after their pregnancy, but a new report shows it has become a more common reality in recent years.
Full StoryAncient bread remnants predate early agriculture
Ancient bread remnants predate early agriculture
iStockphoto.com / Andres Peiro
Recently discovered remains of 14,400-year-old bread are the oldest ever found and predate the dawn of agriculture by at least 4,000 years, researchers report.
Full StoryRecently discovered remains of 14,400-year-old bread are the oldest ever found and predate the dawn of agriculture by at least 4,000 years, researchers report.
Full Story4 rules to avoid regaining lost weight
4 rules to avoid regaining lost weight
Stockphoto.com / Ugur Evirgen
Have you reached your ideal weight? Congratulations! You're halfway to winning the weight loss battle.
Full StoryHave you reached your ideal weight? Congratulations! You're halfway to winning the weight loss battle.
Full StoryBrain scans yield more clues to autism
Brain scans yield more clues to autism
iStockphoto.com / Thinkstock
Children with autism show abnormalities in a deep brain circuit that typically makes socializing enjoyable, a new study finds.
Full StoryChildren with autism show abnormalities in a deep brain circuit that typically makes socializing enjoyable, a new study finds.
Full StoryOn-the-job stress relief
On-the-job stress relief
iStockphoto.com / Vasko
You've probably heard the health warning: Sitting is the new smoking.
Full StoryYou've probably heard the health warning: Sitting is the new smoking.
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.
|