A study done by the AARP's Public Policy Institute found that the number of Americans going into nursing homes is 500,000 fewer than would have been expected had the rates of use held steady over the last 20 years. In other words, that is a 26 percent decline in what would have been expected. This decline is also saving individuals and us taxpayers $56,000 per year per person.
As to why this is happening, experts think it's due to a number of factors:
* Increased education levels and a shift to white collar jobs
* Improvements in maternal nutrition and public health
* Fewer people smoking
* New drugs for heart disease, hypertension
* Healthier lifestyles
* Advances in medical technology
So keep up the good work, and know you can stay healthy longer.
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