This piece reports on findings by Jacqui Smith and colleagues Eric Kim, Kyle Moored, and Hannah Giasson that seniors who are comfortable with aging are more likely than their counterparts to get preventive screenings, including cholesterol tests, colonoscopies, pap tests and mammograms, and prostate exams. In their report, the authors hypothesize on the reason for these findings: “If older adults with lower aging satisfaction believe that physical and mental declines typify old age, they may be less likely to believe that lifestyle changes will make a difference, and consequently, may be less likely to seek preventive care.”

More about Smith and colleagues find aging satisfaction linked to preventive health screenings >