The key to good health is not adding years to our life but adding life to our years. Research has shown that many of the chronic diseases that affect our health, particularly as we age, are preventable. To a large extent, we determine our state of health by the choices we make in our daily lives.

It's important to recognize that the aging process starts at birth and continues for a lifetime. The earlier you start making healthy decisions, the more you can enjoy the days and years ahead.

The goal of healthy living is to achieve a state of well-being that will allow you to enjoy life to the fullest, regardless of your age.

** FACT **

The United States is on the brink of a longevity revolution. By 2030, the number of older Americans will have more than doubled to 70 million, or one in every five Americans. The growing number and proportion of older adults places increasing demands on the public health system and on medical and social services.  Chronic diseases exact a particularly heavy health and economic burden on older adults due to associated long-term illness, diminished quality of life, and greatly increased health care costs. Although the risk of disease and disability clearly increases with advancing age, poor health is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Much of the illness, disability, and death associated with chronic disease is avoidable through known prevention measures. Key measures include practicing a healthy lifestyle (e.g., regular physical activity, healthy eating, and avoiding tobacco use) and the use of early detection practices. Healthy Aging Web, CDC, April, 2005

To get the best out of life, start by making your health a priority. Not just your physical health, but all the factors that make your life satisfying and fulfilling. Try to find the balance that works for you and take action when that balance tips too far in one direction or another.

To be healthy, you must develop strategies that will help you manage all the factors that influence your quality of life.