For several decades now, medical researchers have been conducting experiments to determine what interventions, if any, can extend healthy lifespan in humans. Thanks to improvements in the treatment of infectious diseases and other health measures, we are living longer today than our grandparents did, on average. For example, I have already outlived my father, as well as one of my grandfathers. (I’m now working on outliving that other grandfather.) Diseases can be cured and prevented, but the frailty brought on by aging will eventually catch up with everyone, making it increasingly hard to survive. Something will come along that you cannot cope with, and that will be it for you. If the aging process can be slowed down, and robust good health extended, more high quality life can be lived. Continue reading
Category Archives: Healthcare@Risk™
#353 – ON AGING: POUR GASOLINE ON THE FIRE – ALLEN TAYLOR
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Back in the early days of television, in the 1950s, popular television shows, such as ‘I Love Lucy’ were sponsored by products such as Sanka coffee and Lilt hair styling products. Lucy spoofed the sponsors with her famous Vitameatavegemin skit. That fictional product was uncannily similar to an actual product that was heavily advertised on many popular shows, named Geritol, which was an alcohol-based iron and B vitamin tonic. It sponsored TV shows that appealed to older viewers, such as The Lawrence Welk Show, What’s My Line?, and The Red Skelton Show. Continue reading
#352 – 17 YEARS AGO I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER – ALLEN TAYLOR
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Happily, I had good medical insurance and received some of the best treatment available at that time. The fact that I am writing this article today is a testament to the success of that treatment. I am very thankful for the treatment I received, called brachytherapy. Continue reading
#351 – IS IT TOO LATE TO FULFILL YOUR DREAMS? MAYBE NOT – ALLEN TAYLOR
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When I was in my mid-twenties, early in my career as a design engineer, I had a coworker named Vince. He was in his mid-forties and had been around the block a couple of times. I was promoted to group leader early on, while he was treading water, career-wise. This, combined with some other things in his life convinced him that his chance had passed and that he would probably make no more progress in life. How depressing! Continue reading