Ethics and Well-Being: Ages 45-64: 70 is the New 50.

Abstract

The age range 45-64 covers a life-stage when ideally, health status is reasonably manageable. However, this life-stage also poses health risks, which may lead to diseases, illnesses, dysfunctions, disabilities and early death. In fact, over the last three years, life expectancy among non-Hispanic white men has decreased. The opportunity to synergize ethics, health and well-being at the individual and group/community level is also highlighted. Various sphere of ethics and how they impact on individual, group/community well-being strategically, infuses ethics into health and health care conversations. Difficult term to operationalize like well-being, health, ethics and healing are deliberated. The phrase "70 is the new 50" reflects an importance opportunity to discuss what it means to be middle age and be healthy. There are health threats created by social and environment injustices and food deserts which are important considerations influencing health. The concept of Optimal Health, as a group strategy to advance health, particularly for people of African descent, details five group domains: optimal physical, emotional, social-economic, intellectual, and spiritual health. Optimal Health translated into individual behavior also has five health promotion principles that are detailed in the article. Synergizing Optimal Health, at the group/community level, with the five Health Promotion Principles, at the individual level, is the ideal journey toward individual and group/community well-being. Persons ages 45-64 are poised to combine the wisdom gained from their lived experiences, with the knowledge acquired from their positive or negative interfaces with the health delivery system, are generously available to achieve Optimal Health. The article concludes by discussing the Ancient African Imhotep, True Father of Medicine, 2980 B.C.E.