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Healthy Life = Long Life - This World Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) will focus on the connection between living healthy today to ensure longevity tomorrow. Although old age is not something many of us like to think about, the World Health Day's “Aging and Health” aims to show people of all ages how maintaining lifelong healthy habits can ensure you don’t miss a beat in your golden years. — Naeesa Aziz(Photo: The Jersey Journal/Landov)

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All About Lifestyle - Because most health issues affecting the elderly surround noncommunicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, adopting healthy habits early on is one of the best ways you can prepare for old age.“Healthy lifestyles from the very beginning of life is key to a healthy and active old age,” said Dr. John Beard, director of WHO's Department of Aging and the Life-course.(Photo: The Washington Times/Landov)

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System Overload - Health systems in poorer countries will need to adapt to meet the needs of older people as the population of elderly continues to grow in low- and middle-income countries, warned the WHO. The agency estimates that by 2050, 80 percent of older people will live in low- and middle-income countries who are already struggling to meet the needs of elderly people with chronic health conditions. In all countries, within the next five years, the number of adults aged 65 and over will outnumber children under the age of 5 for the first time in history. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: /AFP/Getty Images

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Black and Elderly in America - According to the U.S. Administration on Aging, most elderly Black people have at least one chronic condition. Hypertension, arthritis, diabetes and all types of heart disease were among the most frequent registered in 2005-2007.(Photo: Raleigh News & Observer/MCT/Landov) 

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Don’t Ignore Warning Signs - According to WHO, many elderly in low- and middle-income countries suffer disproportionately from preventable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease.  Similarly, many African-Americans make up a large portion of patients who suffer these afflictions in the U.S. as well. Even if you suspect you are doing a good job taking care of your body, getting regular medical exams and checkups can make certain these issues don’t follow you into old age. “People in low- and middle-income countries currently face up to four times the risk of death and disability from noncommunicable diseases than people in high-income countries,” said Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO director-general. “Yet most of these conditions are largely preventable or inexpensive to treat.” (Photo: Maggie Huber/MCT/Landov)

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Respect Your Elders - Beyond health concerns, elderly people face damaging stereotypes and stigma that prevent them from fully enjoying their later years. WHO encourages everyone to help change attitudes and build a society in which older people are respected and valued.“When a 100-year-old man finishes a marathon, as happened last year, we have to rethink conventional definitions of what it means to be ‘old,’ ” said Dr. Chan. “Past stereotypes developed in past centuries no longer hold.”(Photo: The Plain Dealer/Landov)

Photo By Photo: Marvin Fong/The Plain Dealer/Landov