Health: United States
Archives: 1997 - 2000Stress,
memory and social support (December 26, 2000)
Many people expect increasing memory loss as they age, but
impaired memory has more to do with stress, according to a McGill research
project. Restoring cortisol levels restored memory in the elderly
people’s brains.
Health
Officials Say They Suspected PPA's Link to Higher Stroke Risk (November 8,
2000)
Regulators' warnings that an ingredient in dozens
of popular over-the-counter drugs increases the risk of stroke may have
shocked to consumers. New
Weapons Against Alzheimer's Disease
Possible Use of Vaccines and Experimental Drugs Are Explored by
Researchers (July 18, 2000)
World Alzheimer Congress 2000 deals with new
approaches that could soon make a difference in treatment and prevention
of this illness. Among the most exciting is the development of a possible
vaccine for Alzheimer's disease. Animal studies suggest that the vaccine,
known as AN-1792, removes the amyloid brain plaques that are a hallmark of
the illness. Researchers believe that eliminating the plaques could help
fight the disease or relieve its symptoms. Food
Goes Better With Friends (July 18, 2000)
While many older people deal with circumstances
that make it difficult to eat well, there perhaps is no greater deterrent
to eating well than having to eat alone. A University of California,
Berkeley, study of 4,400 adults found several years ago that men 55 and
older were more likely to eat a poor quality diet if they lived alone than
if they were married. “Their meals and snacks were providing less than
two-thirds of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for at least five
nutrients--generally vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium and
magnesium.” A View Into Twilight (July
18, 2000)
Failing eyesight brings a sense of clarity to one man who battles macular
degeneration, a steady destruction of vision.
At
55, He Was 'Porky Bill'; At 69, He's a Marathoner (July 18, 2000)
How does an overweight, middle-aged, cocktail-partying,
canapé-eating lobbyist transform himself into a marathon runner in just
one year, then continue to run two marathons a year as he approaches 70?
So
Funny, I Forgot To Laugh (July 18, 2000)
Ageism is no laughing matter. It increases your
risk of heart disease, lowers your performance on cognitive tests,
accelerates memory loss and impedes your will to live.
The Roles of
Medicare and Medicaid in Financing Health and Long-Care for Low-Income
Seniors (July 2000)
This report of the Commonwealth Fund Task Force on Academy Health Centers
(AHCs) identifies the specialty care mission of academic health centers.
It shows how AHCs are the main providers and initial developers of many
procedures, treatments and reports. The AHCs provide a disproportionate
share of specialty services to poor and uninsured patients.
A Good Night's Sleep (May 2000)
Many older people do not enjoy a good night's
sleep on a regular basis. Sleep patterns change as we age, but disturbed
sleep and waking up tired every day is not part of normal aging.
Foot Care (May 2000)
Years of wear and tear can be hard on our feet. So can disease, poor
circulation, improperly trimmed toenails, and wearing shoes that don’t
fit properly
Forgetfulness
It is Not Always What You Think (May 2000)
Many older people worry about becoming more forgetful. They think
forgetfulness is the first sign of Alzheimer's disease. In the past,
memory loss and confusion were considered a normal part of aging. However,
scientists now know that most people remain both alert and able as they
age, although it may take them longer to remember things.
Hearing
and Older People (May 2000)
About one-third of Americans between age 65 and 74 and one-half
of those age 85 and older have hearing problems. They may mistake words in
a conversation, miss musical notes at a concert, or leave a ringing door
bell unanswered. Hearing problems can be small (missing certain sounds) or
large (involving total deafness).
HIV,
AIDS, and Older People (May 2000)
HIV (short for human immunodeficiency virus) is a
virus that kills the immune system. When the immune system is weakened to
the point where a person gets certain type of life-threatening disease,
infections or cancers, they they have AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome). Regardless of age, anyone can get HIV or AIDS
Life
Extension: Science or Science Fiction? (May 2000)
Explorers once searched for the fountain of
youth, and old legends tell of magic potions that keep people young. The
ancient questions--Why do people grow old? How can we live longer?--still
fascinate people, including the scientists who study aging
(gerontologists).
Medicines
Use Them Safely (May 2000)
Many older people owe their health in part to
new, improved medicines and vaccines. But using medicines may be riskier
for older adults, especially when several medicines are used at one time.
Sexuality
Later in Life (May 2000)
Most older people want and are able to enjoy an
active, satisfying sex life. Regular sexual activity helps maintain sexual
ability.
Shots
for Safety (May 2000)
Shots (or immunizations ) are not just for
children. Adults need to be vaccinated from time to time to protect
themselves from serious infectious diseases.
Skin
Care and Aging (May 2000)
Americans spend billions of dollars each year on
"wrinkle" creams, bleaching products to lighten age spots, and
skin lotions to keep skin looking smooth and healthy. But the simplest and
cheapest way to keep your skin healthier and younger looking is to stay
out of the sun.
Smoking
: It 's Never Too Late for Stop (May 2000)
Cigarette smoke damages your lungs and airways. Air
passages swell and, over time, become filled with mucus. This can cause a
cough that won't go away and eventually lead to cancer in many persons.
Urinary
Incontinence (May 2000)
Urinary incontinence is a major health problem because it
can lead older people to disability and dependency.
Accidental
Hypothermia (May 2000)
Severely lowered body temperature, usually
brought on by staying in a cool place for a long time, is called
hypothermia. It is a special problem for older people, who often have
other illnesses or take medications that can interfere with the body's
ability to regulate its temperature.
Medical
Professionalism — Focusing on the Real Issues (April 27, 2000)
Written
by a medical doctor at Columbia University School of Medicine and
published in the highly influential New England Journal of Medicine, this
article reviews how the pharmaceutical industry has distorted and
compromised medical professionalism.
The author is not optimistic about the future but does suggest some
practical steps that could reduce drug companies’ iron grip on
physicians and medical education.
Demographic
Profile of the Elderly in Texas (March 2000)
The elderly population in Texas has grown
steadily throughout the 20th century. Projections for 2000 indicate that
there are more than 2,7 millions Texans aged 60+. The majority of this
population is white and live in the most urban regions.
Meeting
Future Health and Long-Term Care Needs for Elderly Populations (December
1999)
In this Commonwealth Fund issue, authors discuss" how to ensure
access to health care for elderly people in the 21st Century. Medicare
spending will become an ever -larger proportion of the GDP and more
beneficiaries will be enrolled in Medicare managed care programs.
Eldercare series prompted
change (December, 1999)
America is graying. In just a few years today's Baby Boomers everywhere
will be turning 65. And like many communities, the graying of America has
resulted in a boom of long-term care facilities in Western North Carolina.
This rapid expansion, often-unregulated growth, can result in poorly run
facilities and abuse of residents.
Reality of Fatality
Drivers ( 1998)
Older persons, in cars or as pedestrians, are more likely to be killed in
car accidents—getting hit—than younger persons.
This sad fact has direct relevance to Global Action on Aging as we
mourn the death of retired nurse, Demetria
Marquez , mother of GAA
friend, Noemi Fuentes, on Friday, September 5, in Brooklyn, New York. A driver ran the red light hitting Ms. Marquez who
sustained severe injuries and died shortly after. Ms. Marquez was carrying medicine to an ill friend.
Survey: 17 percent of older Americans are addicted
(May 8, 1998)
A survey released by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment suggests up
to 17 percent of U.S. citizens aged 60 and older are addicted to
substances.
An overlooked part of AIDS epidemic: Older adults (January 22, 1998)
Adults over 50 may not be protecting themselves against AIDS
because they don't consider themselves at risk for infection, the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control says.
Hunger in America ( 1997)
Award winning reporter Trudy Lieberman covers the
scandal of elder starvation and hunger in the USA.
Is this necessary in the richest country in the world?
Why?
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