Hepatitis C Tests for Baby Boomers

Periodically, the federal government puts out a health alert that pertains to Baby Boomers and, when it does, I am happy to use my blog to help get the word out, especially if the health alert is a matter of life and death.

This week, the Center for Disease Control has proposed that every American born between 1945 and 1965 (the Baby Boomers) should see their doctors and ask for a one time test for the Hepatitis C virus.  In the US, Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplants and liver cancer.  The need is urgent, because liver cancer is the fastest rising cause of cancer deaths in our country.

This information should be shared with all the Baby Boomers you know.  The CDC estimates that 75% of the people in this country who have Hepatitis C are Baby Boomers, which means that approximately 2 million Baby Boomers are currently infected with this deadly disease.  Five times as many Baby Boomers have the virus as other adults, and most of them do not know it.  In the case of this disease, ignorance is not bliss.  The virus can be damaging your liver for years before the symptoms become noticeable.  As a result, over 15,000 Americans are dying each year from Hepatitis C related illnesses.

The CDC believes it is extremely important that Baby Boomers be tested as soon as possible because new treatments can now cure up to 75% of infections caused by Hepatitis C.  The CDC estimates that screening for this disease could save thousands of lives.

If you want to read more about the CDC recommendations, here is the link to an article about it in the Federal Register:   https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/05/22/2012-12323/recommendations-for-the-identification-of-hepatitis-c-virus-hcv-chronic-infection#p-3  Citizens are even invited to submit their comments about Hepatitis C testing for Baby Boomers.

Meanwhile, the next time you see your doctor for your annual physical, ask him if he thinks you should be tested for Hepatitis C.  It could save your life.

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How to Access Your Social Security Information Online

Since 1999, the Social Security Administration has been mailing annual statements to all workers over the age of 25.  However, it has cost the SSA over $70 million a year to provide this information by mail.  In fact, last year they temporarily stopped mailing the statements; then, this past February, they resumed mailing the statements to people over age 60 who were not yet drawing on their Social Security benefits.  All these changes have been confusing for many workers, especially those who are attempting to make retirement plans.

As of May 1, 2012, the Social Security Administration has put everyone's Social Security benefit statement online.  Workers over the age of 18 can now see their statements simply by going online and creating an account at My Social Security.  You will need to fill in your personal information, such as your name, address, phone number and Social Security number, and may have to answer a few security questions.

You can go to the Social Security Adminstration's website at this link:  My Social Security.

Once there, follow the instructions to create an account.  You'll see a button about halfway down the home page that says: "Sign In or Create an Account."  The information that is available is very similar to what you would see on the old paper statements.

You are reading from the blog: http://baby-boomer-retirement.blogspt.com/

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Your First Step to a Long Life

How much time do you spend sitting, and how much time do you spend standing, walking or doing housework?  Most of us try to get some exercise every day, but it may not be nearly enough if we want to live a long, healthy life.  According to the Archives of Internal Medicine at jamanetwork.com, in a three year study of over 222,000 individuals over the age of 45, the more time they spent sitting, the more likely they were to die.  Realage.com broke the research down even more and explained that the people who sat for eleven hours or more per day were 40% more likely to die ... even if they exercised after they spent eleven hours sitting!

Realage.com generally recommends that people exercise at least 150 minutes a week, or 21 minutes a day.  However, that may not be enough for optimal health if you spend the remainder of your day sitting.  They suggest that, at the very least, you should get out of your chair as often as possible and spend more time standing, walking or engaging in other physical activities.  Even doing household chores will reduce the amount of time you spend sitting and make you healthier.

For writers like me, I have become more aware than ever how important it is for me to get away from my desk chair and walk for a while on the treadmill, or take a stroll around my neighborhood.  Even though I go on a couple of walks at the beach every week, and go horseback riding once a week, that is not nearly enough exercise for optimal health.  Since I also work at a high school, I now try to spend more time simply strolling around the classroom.  I am beginning to realize that every step I take is a step towards a longer life!

You are reading from the blog: http://baby-boomer-retirement.blogspot.com

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