I am always amazed at how frequently old health "news" gets recirculated, usually disguised as "breakthrough research." It's bothering because millions of people are misled to think that these tired facts will somehow change the status quo.
Public health officials and TV medical commentators would serve a much higher purpose to show viewers how to get quality exercise programs for seniors started in their communities
Here's a good example: Tonight's "NBC Nightly News" medical expert, Dr. Nancy Snyderman reported Harvard researchers have discovered that height loss among aging females could be reduced with daily exercise.
"Exercise is always good for your health, but in this case, it is very important in keeping your bones and muscles strong for proper back and head support. Specific types of weight-bearing exercise where you work against gravity are good for prevention of height loss…."
Sure it's good to encourage the public to exercise—and particularly the elderly— because low fitness levels mean loss of locomotion, balance (increase in falls), confidence and a higher degree of dependency. With more than 70 million baby boomers turning the corner on their sixth decade of life, that's a pretty hefty addition to an already over-burdened national sickness-care system.
Here's my gripe: Don't report on old facts as if they were news and worse, expect anyone to be able to apply this information without solid grassroots programs in every community in the country. The time for applying this information is long over due. Furthermore, the real news is that there are some great community program that provide quality programs for seniors. Let's get them on national TV. The bad news is the vast majority of this repetitive research is funded by federal grants that use taxpayer's $$ when it should go to support grassroots elder programs.
Public health officials and TV medical commentators would serve a much higher purpose to show viewers how to get quality exercise programs for seniors started in their communities than to describe old news as if it was a breakthrough in science.