"Good health adds life to years" – World Health Day Theme, 2012.

The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted this year's World Health Day on April 7 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The theme was Aging and Health and focused on how good physical and emotional health can help lead to whole and productive life. Healthy aging concerns everyone and is something we should consider daily to live a quality life.

At World Health Day, speakers discussed the importance of people enjoying an active lifestyle at all ages and changing societal attitudes toward older people. It was stressed that older people are a vital part of society and, as such, should be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. Being older does not place a burden on society but instead is a valuable resource for it. Their value contributes to society in meaningful ways. According to Dr. Neil Buckholtz of The National Institute on Aging, the fastest-growing groups in The United States are people over 85. According to WHO, in the next five years, the number of people worldwide over 65 will surpass the number of children under the age of 5.

Dr. Enrique Vega of The Pan American Health Organization (part of WHO) specializes in elder care. He states, "There is no relation between aging and pain or aging and disease." He further explains that pain or disease can be treated at any age and that aging well consists of staying socially and physically active.

A close friend of mine has a father-in-law who is 83 years young and enjoys an active lifestyle in South Florida. Mr. M. has always been physically active in a softball league where members are 70 and older. Teams in his league come from all over the country, and together they travel worldwide to play other teams over 50. So far, he has played games in Spain, Taiwan, Japan, Hawaii, and Cuba. This helps him stay physically and socially active and improves his quality of life. You go, Mr. M!

We all want long, healthy lives filled with exciting and engaging activities. We all want to contribute to society and live a meaningful, purpose-filled life. Admittedly we also worry about the unknown of illness or chronic disease that may visit us without warning. But, instead of wasting time worrying about that, wouldn't it be more productive if we begin right now – right this minute - to live healthier lives? Let's begin by committing ourselves to carefully watching our diet, exercising regularly, nurturing our social relationships, and volunteering. Let's challenge ourselves to lead a better quality of life day by day, month by month, year by year, to take the term "old age" out of our lexicon and replace it with "most useful age." Let's get them!

"To be seventy years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be forty years old." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes  

Pearson, Carol. "World Health Day Focuses On 'Active Aging.'" Voice of America. April 11, 2012. http://www.voanews.com/english/news/health/World-Health-Day-Focuses-On-Active-Aging-146312315.html