Welcome to my blog -

A few years ago, Dr. A.H. Mokdad et al. wrote a seminal article about how Americans are killing them-selves (see - J.A.M.A. 2004;291:1238-1245). The general gist of the article was about half of all Americans who die, die prematurely, before their time, years earlier than they would have otherwise, because of the poor choices they made in the way they lived their lives.

Yes, heart disease is currently the #1 one killer of Americans, BUT some Americans have fatal heart attacks at age 75 while other have fatal heart attacks at age 45 - or earlier. Similar things can be said about cancer (the #2 cause of death), stroke (the #3 cause of death), lung disease (the #4 cause of death), etc. etc. etc.

Why do some people die young and others don't. No one has a set time to die. Even people with a family history of early-onset heart disease, for example, can do things to "delay the inevitable", to "cheat the grim reaper", to "live long and prosper", TO KEEP FROM KILLING THEMSELVES -- hence the name of this blog. Similar things can be said about cancer, stroke, lung disease, Alzheimer's disese, diabetes, etc.

This blogger keeps up with the latest health news and information for the health classes I teach at a community college in Southern California. And, through this blog, it is my intent to share this information on PRACTICAL ways to make better choices in your everyday life so that you can live healthier, happier, and longer lives - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - i.e. so you know "How To Keep From Killing Yourself".