Every day, thousands of Americans turn 65. How do we help ensure that the U.S. system is ready to meet their needs?

Thumbnail: Tags: conversationsphrma conversationsMedicareseniorsmary grealybob blancatofreda lewis hallconversations 2Contributors: 118611871184Contributions: Read Freda Lewis-Hall's bio The most impactful action we can take is to move to a prevention-centered system, with policies and programs in place to preserve good health and prevent disabling disease. There is no reason why age 65 shouldn’t be the gateway to years of general good health. We have to get people in the Baby Boom generation thinking now about how they can stay vigorous and delay, for as long as possible, the issues that come when one’s health conditions impair independent functioning. An immediate focus should be policies, programs and investments that anchor an all-out attack on chronic diseases, many of which are preventable or readily treatable. If Americans could make a stand against the “Big Three” risk factors—poor diet, lack of exercise and tobacco use—we might prevent 80 percent of heart disease and stroke, 80 percent of adult-onset diabetes, and 40 percent of cancers. Medicines and vaccines will play important parts here; so will health disciplines ranging from nutrition science to human kinetics. Helping people change lifelong habits will not be easy, but we know that positive lifestyle changes made in the fifth, sixth and seventh decades of life can translate into longer life spans and better quality of living. Keeping people healthier, longer, and out of the cl...
Source: PHRMA - Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Source Type: news