This article is not meant to be another media scare tactic for aging females. I know woman over fifty have heard all the hype about bones beginning to crumble, heart disease skyrocketing, breast cancer statistics rising and the suffering we are bound to experience from incontinence. Bottom line is we have to take care of ourselves and sort through all the information carefully. We can start by examining the facts.

Heart Disease: Women get Heart Disease approximately 6-10 years later than men, by age 75 we are afflicted as often. Cardiovascular Disease accounts for close to 60% of all female deaths, making it the number one health risk.

Arthritis: Though not a killer, Arthritis is the number one cause of female disability, affecting more than 50% of all American women over the age of 65. Statistics have shown that approximately 30% of woman between the ages of 45 and 64 are already affected.

Diabetes: Diabetes comprises a group of diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce or use insulin. The most common types are type 1(formally called insulin-dependent or juvenile), this type generally affects children and young adults, and type 2 (formerly called non-insulin dependent or adult onset), which usually strikes after 50. Many years of high blood sugar can lead to stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease. Statistics show that each year, more than twice as many American women die from Diabetes than from breast cancer. The sad thing is many women do not even know that they are affected by the disease. There are new guidelines in place that state that all healthy Americans over age 45 be screened for Diabetes every three years.

Many of you are reading this article and recognizing at least one or two of the health care issues I have mentioned. Do not panic! Your bones will not crumble and whither away. Stanford University Professor of medicine James Fries, M.D. says, "our research has shown that if you have just three good health habits ---if you don't smoke, maintain a reasonable body weight and do regular aerobic exercise (about four hours a week), you'll delay disability from any disease by eight years compared with older people who don't do these things."

January is a time for new beginnings and new habits. Visit your doctor on a regular basis, follow the advise of the Stanford University Professor and tune in to the Senior Connection radio show for our monthly health care updates! Let's make this year a healthy one!