8946
0
Posted on Nov 04, 2003, 9 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
Anti-aging medicine is a clinical/medical specialty and field of scientific research aimed at the early detection, prevention, treatment, and reversal of age-related decline. It is well documented by peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals and employs evidence-based methodologies to conduct patient assessments.
We've all read the recent cover stories in our favorite news magazines. From Time to Medical Economics chiming in, America is being summoned to a new call to arms. The gauntlet to deliver viable alternatives to nursing homes and health care that focuses on treatment of full-blown states of disease has been cast.
To this challenge, anti-aging medicine arrives as the new health care paradigm, offering a solution to alleviate some of the burden of this burgeoning older population. Anti-aging medicine, an extension of preventive health care, is the next great model of health care for the new millennium. This model is based on the early detection, prevention, and reversal of aging- related diseases.
All diseases fall into four categories; the first three-inherited genetic disease, infectious disease, and trauma-account for only 10% of the cost for treating all disease in America. Ninety percent of all health care dollars are spent on extraordinary care in the last two to three years of life. A grand total of fifty percent of the US health care budget is spent on the degenerative diseases of aging [Health Care & Finance Administration, 1996.] One hundred million Americans are currently being treated for one or another degenerative disease at a health care cost of more than $700 billion per year. If we really want to make an impact on health care in this country and in the world, we must focus on the degenerative diseases of aging.
If we can slow aging, we can eliminate more than 50% of all disease overnight. We can alter this dreadful course by preventing, delaying, or reversing the diseases associated with aging. Both the National Institute of Aging and the AARP have recently recognized the significance of anti-aging medicine as the leading frontier of health care in the twenty-first century, because of its potential to reduce the burden of the degenerative diseases of aging in a rapidly growing population of older citizens.
The science of anti-aging medicine is truly multi- disciplinary. Not only represented by advances in the fields of biochemistry, biology, and physiology, the field is enhanced by contributions from mind/body medicine, sports medicine, molecular genetics, and emerging medical technologies. Anti-aging medicine is evidence-based, clinically sound health care. Indeed, only those diagnostic and treatment elements which prove their validity through independent evaluations are embraced by the A4M.
Anti-aging medicine, an extension of preventive health care, is the next great model of health care for the new millennium.
If you have had your cholesterol tested, taken a lipid-lowering drug, had a mammogram, or taken HRT with thyroid, testosterone, estrogen, melatonin, or DHEA, you have experienced anti-aging medicine. This form of medicine is based on the very early detection, prevention, and reversal of age-related disease. 90% of all adult illness is due to the degenerative processes of aging. This includes heart disease, most cancers, adult-onset diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, autoimmune disease, glaucoma, and Alzheimer's.
With early detection and appropriate intervention, most of these diseases can be prevented, cured, or have their downward course reversed.
Anti-aging medicine is the newest clinical medical specialty, the "optimum" of wellness and longevity, and employs extensive therapies and treatment in the preventative health care field far beyond just cholesterol testing and mammograms. A profound paradigm shift in the way the medical establishment views aging and age-related disease is now underway.
