Washington (H24N). President Clinton, citing the "dramatic increase" in lifespan, has designated September Health in Aging Month 2000 in order to raise awareness about the aging population and to ensure a "high quality of life" for America’s senior citizens.

The president thanked technology and education for increasing the number of American seniors, from the 3 million at the beginning of the 20^th century to the 34 million seniors currently living within America’s borders. He projected that by the year 2050 at least one in every four Americans would be 65 and older, stressing the need for improving treatments and changing perceptions about the older population.

"We can be grateful that because of extraordinary advances in medicine, technology and science, as well as increased public awareness of the importance of good nutrition and physical fitness, these older citizens are now living longer, more active, more productive lives than any previous generation," Clinton said.

Clinton did warn that there are still many things to be completed in order to improve the quality of life for many of America’s older citizens.

"We must raise awareness of the unique needs of older Americans and ensure caregivers and health professionals are specially trained to treat the elderly," Clinton said. "We must expand our research efforts into chronic conditions that affect older Americans."

Clinton asked Congress, health care providers, business and community leaders to look for improvements in the quality, the cost, and the support systems available to seniors, in order improve their quality of life.

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