VOA标准英语2012--World Health Day Focuses On 'Active Aging'

World Health Day Focuses On 'Active Aging'

Shelby Harris just celebrated¹ his 111th birthday. His secret?

"I try to live the right kind of life," he said. "I try to live the truth, I love everybody and I want everybody to love me."

Some experts say a positive attitude like Harris's is a factor in longevity². Others point to a connection with how fast a person walks.

Doctors say walking speed is a reflection of how well many of the body's systems are functioning.

Whatever the reasons, Dr. Neil Buckholtz, at the US National Institute on Aging, says governments the world over need to prepare.

"The population, not only in the United States, but worldwide, of older people is increasing," he said. "And actually, the fastest-growing group of people in the United States are those people over 85."

According to the World Health Organization, in the next five years, the number of 65-year-olds and greater will surpass the number of children under the age of five. That's why the focus of this year's World Health Day is on healthy aging.

Dr. Enrique Vega specializes in elder care at the Pan American Health Organization, which is part of the WHO.

"There is not any relation between age and pain or between age and disease," said Vega.

Dr. Vega says pain and disease can be treated at any age. He says healthy aging involves staying socially and physically³ active. The players on this softball team are doing both, Many are in their late 60's and mid-70's. Shirly Thompson is 75. 

"I have arthritis⁴ in my fingers," she said. "See the knots on my hand. I think that is one good thing about playing ball. It does help your arthritis from stiffening⁵ up on you." 

Dr. Vega says governments need to help the elderly learn to care for themselves.

"It's a complex process to manage your chronic⁶ disease and to avoid disability," he said. "And therefore people need to prepare for that."

Dr. Vega says countries also need to develop targeted health programs for the elderly to minimize costs. 

"They are not prepared now. And this is one of our main weaknesses," he said.

And that's all the more reason the Pan American Health Organization, as well as the entire WHO, is drawing attention to healthy, active aging on this year's World Health Day.

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 longevity   

n.长命；长寿

参考例句：

• Good habits promote longevity.良好的习惯能增长寿命。
• Human longevity runs in families.人类的长寿具有家族遗传性。

3 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

4 arthritis   

n.关节炎

参考例句：

• Rheumatoid arthritis has also been linked with the virus.风湿性关节炎也与这种病毒有关。
• He spent three months in the hospital with acute rheumatic arthritis.他患急性风湿性关节炎，在医院住了三个月。

5 stiffening   

n. (使衣服等)变硬的材料, 硬化 动词stiffen的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• Her mouth stiffening, she could not elaborate. 她嘴巴僵直，无法细说下去。
• No genius, not a bad guy, but the attacks are hurting and stiffening him. 不是天才，人也不坏，但是四面八方的攻击伤了他的感情，使他横下了心。

6 chronic   

adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的

参考例句：

• Famine differs from chronic malnutrition.饥荒不同于慢性营养不良。
• Chronic poisoning may lead to death from inanition.慢性中毒也可能由虚弱导致死亡。