Behavior, Health, and Aging

An increasing # of elderly Americans has introduced new and challenging healthcare dilemmas to solve. This book addresses some of these issues including management of chronic illness, effects of aging on immunity, & importance of genetics & molecular biol

A dramatic shift in the average age of the U.S. population and the increasing number of elderly Americans has introduced new and challenging healthcare dilemmas. This book addresses these issues with contributed chapters by the leading authorities in the field of behavioral medicine. It deals with health and healthcare needs of the elderly by considering basic changes that result from aging and some of the more specific problems that accompany it. Content highlights include a review of the basic tenets of genetics and molecular biology including some of the methods of looking at heritable differences in health and well-being. Quality of life concerns are addressed, including the differences between men and women, as well as other gender issues. Several chapters deal with the effects of aging on immunity. The latter part of the book emphasizes the psychosocial implications of aging on cardiovascular disease. Chronic illness among the elderly is also addressed.

Contents: G.E. McClearn, D.A. Heller, Genetics and Aging. R.M. Kaplan, J. Erickson, Quality Adjusted Life Expectancy for Men and Women in the United States. E. Leventhal, Aging Women, Getting Older, Getting Better? K.A. Matthews, R.R. Wing, L.H. Kuller, E.N. Meilahn, J.F. Owens, Menopause as a Turning Point in Midlife. B.S. Rabin, Changes in the Immune System During Aging. S. Robinson-Whelen, J.K. Kiecolt-Glaser, R. Glaser, Effect of Chronic Stress on Immune Function and Health in the Elderly. D.A. Padgett, C.M. Dobbs, J.F. Sheridan, Neuroimmune Interactions: Implications for Aging and Immunosenescence--Rodent Models. G.F. Solomon, D. Benton, Immune Functions, Their Psychological Correlates, and Health. R. Schulz, J. Heckhausen, A. O'Brien, Negative Affect and the Disablement Process in Late Life: A Life-Span Control Theory Approach. R.B. Williams, Psychological Factors, Health, and Disease: The Impact of Aging and the Life Cycle. V.S. Helgeson, K. Mickelson, Coping With Chronic Illness Among the Elderly: Maintaining Self-Esteem. M.R. Adams, S.B. Manuck, J.K. Williams, J.R. Kaplan, C.A. Shively, Sex, Psychosocial Stress, and Atherosclerosis: A Monkey Model. M.F. Elias, P.K. Elias, R.B. D'Agostino, P.A. Wolf, Comparative Effects of Age and Blood Pressure on Neuropsychological Test Performance: The Framingham Study. M.F. Muldoon, J.R. Kaplan, S.B. Manuck, Uncertain Health Effects of Cholesterol Reduction in the Elderly.