Nasty Habits. A great number of illnesses result from bad habits or outside forces that a person with a healthy attitude can eliminate or control. Stress is an obvious example. Cigarette smoking, for example, kills more Americans than alcohol, cocaine, "crack," heroin, murder, suicide, auto accidents and AIDS combined. While widely accepted in many other countries, cigarette smoking is considered unhealthy and unpleasant in the United States. The government and private organizations sponsor major anti-smoking campaigns. An even greater killer is heart disease, which can often be controlled or eliminated through diet.

Healthy Life Style. The combination of frequent moderate exercise and a sensible diet is important on a lifelong basis, but more important for elderly people. A brisk 40-minute walk at least four times a week is sufficient exercise--just keep doing it consistently. Quitting smoking alone puts you into the statistically healthier half of the population. Alcohol use should be kept at a moderate level. Prescription and over-the-counter medications should be used carefully. Such a health oriented lifestyle is in keeping with long-term American trends toward health and fitness. For many, the American life is a health-oriented life. For many others, unfortunately, the American life is one spent sitting in front of a television, gaining more and more weight.

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