Living to 100 – part luck, part lifestyle choices, researchers find

Researchers are working to unlock the secrets of longevity by studying a variety of different groups – from Seventh-Day Adventists to centenarians living in Okinawa – to determine what combination of factors influence life span. ... Continue Reading

Longevity study to be conducted by the National Opinion Research Center

The National Institute on Aging has provided a five-year grant to the National Opinion Research Center to study why people live 100 years or more. ... Continue Reading

Food poisoning; a more common affliction than we think

The Associated Press calculates that there are 87 million cases of food poisoning in the U.S. each year – or one in four Americans who will suffer from food-borne illnesses annually. ... Continue Reading

Healthcare costs worry one in five Baby Boomers

Nearly a fifth of baby boomers questioned in a recent telephone survey said that they were unsure if they would be able to pay their healthcare bills in 2009. ... Continue Reading

Seniors regularly taking OTC and prescription meds together

Results of a recent survey have revealed that nearly half of seniors in the United States use prescription medications together with those bought over-the-counter (OTC), and that approximately 1 in 25 are potentially at risk of a major adverse drug reaction because of an interaction between medications. ... Continue Reading

Global cancer deaths predicted to double by 2030

A new report projects that global cancer deaths will more than double by 2030, a rise mainly fuelled by a dramatic increase in cancer incidence in low-to-middle income countries such as Russia, China, and India. ... Continue Reading

One in four centenarians hit by depression

Results of a recent study suggest that at least one in four centenarians suffer from depression, yet few have been diagnosed with the disease. ... Continue Reading

US smoking rate at lowest since records began

New figures released by the CDC have revealed that the percentage of US citizens who smoke cigarettes has fallen below 20% for the first time since the government agency began keeping records in the mid-1960’s. ... Continue Reading

Arthritis pain afflicts one in ten Americans

New figures have revealed that one in ten adults in the US is receiving treatment for pain caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. ... Continue Reading

More children being prescribed drugs for obesity-related health problems

Results of a new study have revealed that more and more children are being prescribed drugs to treat obesity-related problems such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. ... Continue Reading

Cases of type 2 diabetes rise by 90%

New figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have revealed that the incidence of type 2 diabetes in the US has risen by 90% within just ten years. ... Continue Reading

High blood pressure on the rise

Analysis of data from two national health studies has revealed that more Americans than ever before have high blood pressure. ... Continue Reading

Surgery survival in elderly dependent upon ZIP code

Study results have revealed that elderly people living in poor areas are significantly more likely to die after undergoing surgery than those living in more affluent areas. ... Continue Reading

Number of Japanese centenarians soars

The number of Japanese people living to 100 has soared to a record high. Figures released by the Health and Welfare Ministry show that there are now 36,276 centenarians in Japan – 4,000 more than last year. Another 20,000 people are set to turn 100 this year. ... Continue Reading

Cancer survivors using 'complementary methods'

A high proportion of former cancer patients are using complementary and alternative methods to aid them in their recovery, it has been revealed. ... Continue Reading

Cost of hospital care doubles in a decade

New figures show that the overall annual cost for hospital stays doubled between 1997 and 2006, from $177 to a staggering $329 billion. ... Continue Reading

2.4 Million Tobacco-related cancers diagnosed in US

Figures released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have revealed that approximately 2.4 million cases of tobacco-related cancers were diagnosed between 1999 and 2004. Lung cancer and bronchial cancer accounted for roughly half of the diagnoses. ... Continue Reading

Depression affects more than 1 in 20 Americans

New statistics revealed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that more than 1 in 20 Americans aged 12 and over are suffering from depression. ... Continue Reading

Social factors have bigger effect on longevity than genes

A three-year-long analysis of the “social determinants” of health by the World Health Organization (WHO) has led them to the conclusion that social factors - not genetics - are to blame for the huge variations in ill health and life expectancy seen around the world, a report concludes. ... Continue Reading

Sexual dysfunction 'not a part of aging'

The onset of sexual dysfunction in adults is not "inevitably" a part of the aging process, it has been stated. ... Continue Reading