The Centers for Disease Control have released new stats on life expectancy that should have even more geezers thinking adoption is a great idea. Latest findings show that we've hit a record of 77.9 years, up from 77.5 in 2003. The gap between men and women is narrowing, too, from the 7 extra years women used to get to 5.2 years now, so the life expectancy for women is just over 80 years, and for men it's barely under 75.

The gap between white and black Americans is also closing.

Heart... more

You know how you'd do anything to spare your children pain? Every bump and bruise they get resonates in our very bones. If it weren't for having to put a brave face on for the child's sake, wouldn't many of us bawl our eyes out at the sight of even simple injuries ... our darlings bleeding from split lips, grazed knees and imbedded splinters? If we could eliminate the possibility of pain for our kids, would we?

An article in the latest issue of the journal ... more

A discussion over on the GAARP group today started with one of our readers here, Lisa, suggesting that toting a 22 pound 13-month-old around is a good way to combat osteoporosis. Hmmmmmm.

Let's look into this, shall we?

The National Osteoporosis Foundation has load of info on the condition, of course, including a pdf you can download of a 2004 US... more

A story in the NY Times indicates that the more people love us, the longer we'll live and the healthier we'll be. Highlighting cases of people who far exceed expectations of survival when stricken with various fatal diseases, this research seems to be showing that frequent contact with folks who ooze love is a common factor.

Research on the link between relationships and physical... more

More from the NWHRC report on women and health ... On a good news/bad news front ...

Women over 60 rate their mental and physical health higher than all other age groups, but getting there isn't easy.

Women aged 40-60 had, on average, the lowest rated physical health (6.7-7.1), and half (53%) said that their health had declined over the past five years. Women 18 - 29 cited the lowest score, on average, for mental health... more

The National Women's Health Resource Center, has come out with the results of their second national health survey, and it appears that women know all about being thin ... they just aren't.

Understanding the risks of being overweight: 97% Having the information necessary to maintain a healthy weight: 89% Worried about weight: 70%

According to respondent's body... more

I can't seem to stay away from stories from Britain this week, but this one caught my eye, wrestled it to the floor, and held it in a headlock until it started watering ... The Health Minister, Caroline Flint, is quoting anecdotal evidence that pregnant British teens are, "smoking to ensure they deliver babies of a low birth weight in the mistaken belief that such births will be less painful."

Sheeeesh! Here's some reaction:

National... more

I have been following Michelle's posts on getting the weight off and totally enjoying them. I am glad that one of my posts inspired her to start a little community of adoptive moms who want to drop a couple of pounds--for the right reasons. Health. Fitness. Energy. Our other co-blogger Sandra has kept us laughing about her relationship with her treadmill. I forget his name. Tommy, isn't it? I don't know that this is an older mommy thing, but one thing that I am enjoying about the posts is the realistic and casual attitude of everyone involved.

The posts and the comments don't have that... more

It seemed like a great idea ... sleep more, lose weight ... something I could really sink my head on to a pillow with, or my teeth into a cheesecake. It's possible, though, that I've lived too long to take advantage of this new diet plan. A story out of Canada seems to be putting the kibosh on any nap-away-inches thoughts for... more

Finally! A study that not only comes through with the goods, it has good goods!

Just when I was complaining about wasteful research, I come across fun stuff. AARP's health page features results from the Case Western Reserve University that seems to indicate that not getting enough sleep can make you fat.

This sixteen-year study (ha!) of around... more