Not too long ago, when Americans reached the age of 70,
their occupation became focused on managing their health. Research shows this
is no longer the case – now, in their older years, Americans can look forward
to living normal, healthy lives, with a lower chance of disabilities. Improved
medical treatments and better lifestyle choices are to thank.
A new study, conducted by Harvard researchers, analyzed data
from the federal government. The data showed the average life expectancy for
the average 65-year-old in 1992 to be 17.5 more years. Of these years, 8.9 were
expected to be disability-free. By 2008, the data revealed that someone age 65
had a life expectancy of 18.8 additional years. 10.7 of these years were free
of disabilities.
The research, which can be found in a paper released
recently by the National Bureau of Economic Research, is good news for the
increasing Baby Boomer population – as well as good news for medical care. It
proves the value of medical investments, according to Daniel Cutler, the
study’s co-author and a professor of applied economics at Harvard. Because 65
tends to be a typical retirement age for many Americans, older adults can now
look forward to a life that doesn’t include work – and many years that do not
include illness or disabilities. Cutler believes that once people reach 65,
they have years of healthy activity left.
So, what has changed within American healthcare that’s
contributing to healthier, longer lives? The Harvard researchers suggest that
improvements in heart disease prevention and treatment are a major factor.
People are smoking less, eating a better diet, and generally taking better care
of themselves. Americans have taken better control of their blood pressure,
cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and keeping diabetes in check. Because of
this, there has been a substantial decrease in both disabilities and deaths due
to heart failure and disease.
However, medical care is also to thank. Cutler estimates that as much as half of the improvement is due to medicinal and therapeutic advancements, especially when it comes to heart disease. Drug treatments are reducing heart attacks and assisting with faster recoveries.
Vision care has also greatly improved over past years. New
cataract treatments account for better vision health through older age. Cataract
surgeries that used to be very challenging and tedious can now be done in an
outpatient setting, with improved recovery times and little to no complications.
So, Baby Boomers – look forward to many more healthy years
with your friends and family, and keep up your healthy lifestyles.
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