Posted Apr. 29, 2012, 9:23 am Susan Cloke / Mirror Columnist

Courtesy the Breslow family

You may have seen Dr. Lester Breslow, a man in his 90s, taking his regular walk on the Boardwalk in Santa Monica. Breslow, a physician who pioneered the field of public health, was following his own advice for a long life.

Do not smoke. Drink in moderation. Sleep seven to eight hours. Exercise at least moderately. Eat regular meals. Maintain a moderate weight. Eat breakfast.

These rules, Breslows 7 Healthy Habits, became the foundation for many government programs designed to promote good health and longevity. What may seem common knowledge to us now is, in large part, common knowledge because of Breslows work.

The 7 Healthy Habits for longevity were based on data from the Alameda County Study. The demographics of Alameda County were reflective of national demographics and that made it a good site for the study.

In 1965, almost 7,000 residents of Alameda County, Calif., were randomly selected and asked to participate in a survey regarding their health habits. Did they smoke? How much did they drink? How much exercise did they get? What did they eat? When did they eat? How much did they sleep?

The first survey was used to create a baseline. Follow up surveys, coded for anonymity, collected data over a 20-year period and were used to correlate health habits with disease incidence and longevity.

The methodology used in the study provided a mathematical proof that lifestyle, good health, and longevity are linked. His work expanded the definition of public health and explored the inter-relationship of the community, the environment, and the individual.

Breslow had intended to practice psychiatry but he was having doubts about his choice. His mentor at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Alex Blumstein, became a life long friend and encouraged him to go into the field of public health.

View original post here:
Hometown Hero: Dr. Lester Breslow (1915-2012)