Gordon Clay here. I've been reading the obituaries lately. 6 women and 6 men have passed away since the first of the year. By tracing the cause of death, it appears that there is a major epedemic going on, especially among the elderly.

We must find out the answer so that a better understanding of the steps needed to be taken to extend life will be made before it's too late.

The epedemic - Natural Causes.

Unfortunately, natural causes are responsible for 82% of all deaths. Everything from heart disease, cancers, diabetes, influensa, and more. It could really be beneficial to read which natural cause was involved.

Actuarily tables say that if you make it to 65, you've got at least 15 more years to live. At 75, it's more than 10 years. At 85, more than 5 years, and at 110, at least another year.

If I died from a heart attack or cancer, maybe, I died of Natural Causes. However, being 30 pounds over weight isn't natural. And 400,000 of the 2.4 million deaths can be attributed to poor diet and physical inactivity. Smoking isn't natural. Excessive drinking isn't natural. So, can death from those activities which actually caused the heart problem or cancer, still be considered a death from Natural Causes. Or is it actually a Self-Inflicted death?

I encourage everyone to write their own epitaph. Then, instruct someone to add in the actual cause of death when it happens. It's going to happen, sooner or later. Awareness of the actual cause might encourage the rest of us to take the necessary steps now to change distructive habits so that we can all live healthier, happier lives. Think about it.