One of the many blessings of medical research, good medical care, a healthy diet, and truth about how to take care of ourselves is longer life. My dad lived to be 88. My wife’s father lived to be 94 years old.

Many years ago I pastored a church in Johnson City, Tennessee. Just this past Sunday, Hilda Gutierrez, a member of that church celebrated her 100th birthday.

Many times these folks remain physically strong and mentally sharp. Some are not so fortunate. Here is more important information for our Facts & Stats:

There are six leading health-risk killers in the USA today: Those six leading causes are: breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, stroke, HIV, and Alzheimer’s disease. Due to all the research, medical care, and focus personally and professionally, when we look at death rates from these diseases between the years 2000 and 2010, even though there are still too many people dying from these factors, actually deaths from five out of these six are down.

• Breast cancer, down 2%
• Prostate cancer, down 8%
• Heart disease, down 16%
• Stroke, down 23%
• HIV, down 42%
• Alzheimer’s disease, increased 68%

We must keep seeking and praying for a cure, reversal, and prevention of this and other forms of dementia. More tomorrow