You are in charge!

There was a terrific article in Tuesday's USA Today regarding a Harvard study about American life expectancy.

Essentially, it said there are 8 different America's. They are separated by life expectancy. For example, "America 1", the highest, is asians, whose life expectancy is 85. The lowest, "America 8" is comprised of high risk urban blacks, at 71. Here is what is really interesting. The study found that those things that are always assumed to be the most important factors in living long (higher income, better health care, etc.) actually make only a small contribution. The second longest living group, "America 2" are made up of low income whites in the midwest, an area of the country that traditionally has a lesser level of high level health care. Here is a quote from one of the researchers. "There's no way differences in the quality of health care can explain 20 year gaps in life expectancy".

So what do they say seems to make the most difference in living a long life? Diet, exercise, and smoking! All things that each one of us has direct control over! Basically, eat right, exercise smartly, don't smoke, and manage the stress in your life, and chances are you will live into your late 70's or 80's. Don't gripe about it all being someone else's fault or responsibility. It's yours. Do the right things, and they will pay off, especially in the long run.