1. Public Health Options for Improving Cardiovascular Health Among Older Americans.
- Author
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Greenlund, Kurt J., Keenan, Nora L., Clayton, Paula F., Pandey, Dilip K., and Hong, Yuling
- Subjects
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COGNITION disorder risk factors , *PUBLIC health surveillance , *PUBLIC health administration , *SURVEYS , *CARDIOVASCULAR diseases , *LIFE expectancy , *RESEARCH methodology , *MEDICAL care costs , *PREVENTIVE health services , *RISK management in business , *COMORBIDITY , *SECONDARY analysis , *EARLY medical intervention , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *DISEASE complications , *OLD age ,CARDIOVASCULAR disease related mortality ,UNITED States politics & government - Abstract
Life expectancy at birth has increased from 74 years in 1980 to 78 years in 2006. Older adults (aged 65 years and older) are living longer with cardiovascular conditions, which are leading causes of death and disability and thus an important public health concern. We describe several major issues, including the impact of comorbidities, the role of cognitive health, prevention and intervention approaches, and opportunities for collaboration to strengthen the public health system. Prevention can be effective at any age, including for older adults. Public health models focusing on policy, systems, and environmental change approaches have the goal of providing social and physical environments and promoting healthy choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
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