Baby Boomers Should Keep Screenings Up to Date

Many baby boomers serve as family caregivers to older loved ones. But if you are in the 50-64 age range, you should know that taking care of your own health as you grow older is just as important. The CDC tells what you should know about some basic health care steps.

Only about one in four Americans aged 50–64 regularly take advantage of preventive services such as screenings and immunizations, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with AARP and the American Medical Association (AMA).

The report, "Promoting Preventive Services for Adults 50–64: Community and Clinical Partnerships," focuses on opportunities to improve the health of the growing number of adults in the 50–64 age bracket to broaden the use of potentially lifesaving preventive services.

"People aged 50–64 need access to preventive services to help them improve their overall health and to live vibrant, productive lives," said CDC Director Thomas Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "Our goal is to enhance the delivery and use of these recommended preventive services."

The report identifies recommended guidelines:

1. Immunizations for influenza and pneumococcal disease
2. Testing for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer
3. Screening and counseling for risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, binge drinking, obesity, hypertension and depression.

By 2015, an estimated 63 million U.S. adults will be between the ages of 50 and 64, comprising 20 percent of the nation's population. They are at greater risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer than are younger adults. In addition, almost one–third of adults in this age group are uninsured or underinsured, which heightens the challenges of them receiving critical preventive services.

CDC's healthy aging program develops tools and programs designed to help older adults live longer, more productive and independent lives. By promoting health and disease prevention, the goal is also to slow the growth of healthcare and long-term costs for this and future generations. Visit the CDC's Healthy Aging webpage for more information about preventive services, and to find a wide array of health information for older adults.