What Americans Think About Aging and Health
Parade and Research! America, the nonprofit organization that advocates for medical research, recently polled a cross-section of 1000 Americans on their attitudes about aging. Previously, we published the survey’s results regarding attitudes about longevity. In this issue, we share the concerns of Americans regarding aging and its effects on health.
Our main concern.
More than a third of Americans (37%) said poor, declining heath was their main concern about growing old. That was followed by financial concerns (23%).
Our greatest fear.
More than twice as many Americans (62%) fear losing their mental capacity as they age those who fear a diminishing physical capacity (29%).
How much of the aging process do we control?
The majority of American – 84% - believe there are things they can do to control the aging process.
How many of us are taking action?
A majority of American – 83% - say they are taking action now to stay healthy as they age.
What we are doing to stay healthy.
More than half of Americans (56%) say the primary thing they are doing to stay healthy as they grow older is to engage in physical activity. Second on the list was watching what they eat: 26% of Americans put that first. (However, only 3% said the first thing they were doing was watching their weight.)
The medical breakthroughs we predict.
More than half of Americans think that in the next 20 years scientists will find a cure for diabetes (65%), for Parkinson’s disease (59%), for Alzheimer’s disease (54%) and for heart disease (52%). Just under half think scientists will find a cure for cancer (48%) and for AIDS (47%) within the next two decades.
Our expectations of research.
Nearly all Americans – 96% - think it is important to invest in research to prevent, treat and cure disabilities that primarily affect older Americans.
The No. 1 health problem we want to solve.
When asked to choose only one health problem that Americans want to solve, cancer far surpassed all others, with 42% of the responses. It was followed by heart disease (9%), Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases (9%), AIDS (9%) and diabetes (6%).
Infinite Health Resources does not at any point, for any circumstances suggest that you do not follow or stop medical advice of your physician. We do not advocate any drugs that has not been prescribed by your physician, nor suggest that we are medical doctors nor are we giving medical advice. Infinite Health Resources is here purely as a resource. | 
