Live Long And Prosper
It is often said that only two things are certain in life. Death and taxes. But there is some good news. Although we can say with certainty that as we get older death becomes more likely...once you reach 110 the odds plateau out.
OK, it’s still at 50 per cent, but you get the picture. Because the truth is we are living a lot longer.
Where once it used to be said that 70 was the new 50, now it’s being claimed that 90 is the new 70. In fact in Western Europe and North America life expectancies have been increasing at a steady rate thanks first to diet and lifestyle and just as importantly medication.
But while lifestyle and medical intervention can make an enormous difference to when we get the type of diseases that are associated with old age, such asdementia and heart disease, we cannot yet stop them happening.
As scientists put it we are merely postponing the event. In addition, some people are vulnerable to ill health than others but because of greater life expectancy will have to live with it for longer.
All of which is raising some of the key issues of the day, not least about the age of retirement and the need for an improved lifestyle to offer yourself greater protection.
Many experts now argue that there is still more that can be done on the medical front to protect people against diseases. They say early action will ultimately save a fortune in unnecessary health care costs.
Take two common diseases that are often underestimated. Influenza and shingles. Some doctors claim that people aged 50 and above should be routinely vaccinated against both.
They say that people who contract either, or even worse both, can suffer long term health problems that require expensive treatment, sometimes in hospital.
They argue that if safe vaccines exist then why not use them to protect the general population against a range of complications including heart and lung damage. Shingles in particular can be extremely painful and debilitating for victims.
But critics say that this plays into the hands of drug companies who want to make money and that many people are not convinced that vaccines are totally safe, despite drug companies saying they are tested and meet all regulations.
OK, it’s still at 50 per cent, but you get the picture. Because the truth is we are living a lot longer.
But while lifestyle and medical intervention can make an enormous difference to when we get the type of diseases that are associated with old age, such asdementia and heart disease, we cannot yet stop them happening.
As scientists put it we are merely postponing the event. In addition, some people are vulnerable to ill health than others but because of greater life expectancy will have to live with it for longer.
All of which is raising some of the key issues of the day, not least about the age of retirement and the need for an improved lifestyle to offer yourself greater protection.
Many experts now argue that there is still more that can be done on the medical front to protect people against diseases. They say early action will ultimately save a fortune in unnecessary health care costs.
Take two common diseases that are often underestimated. Influenza and shingles. Some doctors claim that people aged 50 and above should be routinely vaccinated against both.
They say that people who contract either, or even worse both, can suffer long term health problems that require expensive treatment, sometimes in hospital.
They argue that if safe vaccines exist then why not use them to protect the general population against a range of complications including heart and lung damage. Shingles in particular can be extremely painful and debilitating for victims.
But critics say that this plays into the hands of drug companies who want to make money and that many people are not convinced that vaccines are totally safe, despite drug companies saying they are tested and meet all regulations.
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