Counting stars in the Milky Way

People aren’t afraid to die, people are afraid of pain, illnesses, loss of memories, dignity, and their body temples giving up too early.

Over the years, we have built many surveys and databases about “health”, yet we track so little about actual health we wish for ourselves, our parents, our children.

Here are a few provocative ideas I am dreaming about:

Track number of people who are cavity-free until at least 40. Add a goal to keep at least 20 of your teeth by age 80. Biggest payments to insurance companies and dentists are when they achieve better oral health and less for drilling.  

Do a test to see if you can stand up from the floor without using your hands. Do it at home, do it during the annual wellness exam. Can we track and increase the percent of 70-year olds who can get up off the floor unaided?