Making choices work for you now.

Life expectancy depends on the genes we inherit. But we can extend that by 70 percent because of two factors that we have some control of: Lifestyle, and environment. 

The life expectancy of a Filipino born in 1990 is 65-67 years. 

Factors such as improvement in health, sanitation, and nutrition have led to the progressive increase in human life expectancy. Peace and order and economics also figure into the equation. Future discoveries in disease management, prevention, and genetics will further improve longevity. It is easy to imagine that in a few decades, human life expectancy will closely approximate human lifespan of 120 years. 

The top seven causes of death among Filipinos aged 65 years and older are: Heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, pneumonia and influenza, diabetes, and accidents. 

We can choose to modify some of the risk factors that lead to these diseases, such as: Lack of exercise, smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, weight gain, stress, and social isolation.

Good health care is also a cornerstone for longevity. Primary prevention reduces the risk of disease before it occurs. Secondary prevention involves adequate control of disease that is already present. Both forms of prevention are cost-effective and backed by scientific studies.

Primary disease prevention includes:

1. Regular check-up with your physician. Tests appropriate to one’s age are advised. Valuable tests include those that detect your cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and risk for heart disease and its complications. Women with risk factors for osteoporosis are advised to undergo a bone densitometry test.

2. Immunization against flu, pneumonia, tetanus. All persons aged 60 and older need yearly anti-flu shots and at least one pneumococcal 23 polyvalent vaccine. 

3. Cancer screening. Cancer screening appropriate to one’s age includes mammography, pap smear, and prostate cancer detection.

Secondary prevention of disease

If you have known diseases such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, you can actively lower the risk of future complications. 

Be proactive! Exercise regularly, eat healthy and take the medicines your doctor prescribes. Maintenance medicines for these diseases are known to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attacks and probably help maintain an active memory.

How do we add "life to years?" Obtaining and preserving a high level of functioning as one ages is possible. Active life expectancy is steadily increasing throughout the world. A 60- year-old Filipino male can expect eight more years of healthy life expectancy, and a Filipino female, 11.7 more years. Japanese men and women have 17 and 20 more years, respectively. 

You can avoid early disability through the same list of choices. A well-funded and well-planned health care delivery system, and a supportive social environment can make these possible for many. 

You can reset that ticking clock and make that lifestyle change now!

(Dr. Shelley de la Vega is the president of Philippine Society of Geriatric Medicine (PSGM); chairperson of the Committee on Aging, National Institutes of Health Philippines; chief of the Section of Geriatric Medicine, The Medical City.)