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Aging Well Matters
A Health & Wellness Initiative of the
Piedmont Triad Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging
The United States is on the verge of a longevity revolution. By 2050, 86.7 million is the projected population of people 65 and older. People in this age group would comprise 21% of the total population at that time. The growing number and proportion of older adults places increasing demands on the public health system and on medical and social services. The risk of disease and disability increases with increasing age and poor health. However, poor heath is not a consequence of aging.
Much of the illness, disability, and death associated with chronic disease can be avoided through known prevention measures. Key measures include practicing a healthy lifestyle (e.g., regular physical activity and healthy eating) and the use of early detection practices (e.g., screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers and diabetes).
