Aging in the Twentieth Century -- The meaning of aging -- Size and growth of the older population -- Life expectancy: three decades in 100 years -- Health status, use of health services, and attitudes toward health care providers -- Health risks and practices -- Nutrition -- Chronic conditions and common health problems -- Mental health and illness -- Prescription and over-the-counter drugs -- Long-term care: an overview -- Long-term care: home health care -- Long-term care: nursing home care -- Care at the end of life: hospice care -- Causes, places, and timing of death -- Paying for health care: health care spending, medicare, medicaid, and supplemental insurance.