According to Dr. Sei Lee, a geriatrics researcher at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the test was designed “to help doctors and families get a firmer sense of what the future may hold, and to help plan health care accordingly”. Dr. Lee helped develop the test.

The test is based on data which involved 11,701 Americans over the age of 50 who took part in a national health survey in 1998, and was funded by the National Institute on Aging. Researchers analyzed the participants outcomes over a four-year follow-up. They based their death risk survey on the health characteristics that seemed to predict death within four years.

According to Dr. Lee the test is 81% accurate and “can give older people a reasonable idea of what their survival chances are.”

This test is not without controversy. Several researchers are already saying the test is flawed. While it asks if you are a smoker, it doesn’t ask what your eating habits are. However it does ask if you get tired when pushing a chair across a room but it didn’t indicate how much the chair would have to weigh.

This is the kind of test where the lowest score wins and no studying is required. If you want to take the test click on this link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11354108 .

However in our continuing effort to be of service to our readers this reporter has come up with 12 questions (and a bonus question) which may more accurately determine your chances of near term survival.

1) How often do you hunt with the Vice President of the United States?

2) Do you play bocce ball with members of organized crime?

3) Do you fish for Alaskan king crab on the Bering Sea?

4) Do you parachute with former President George H.W. Bush?

5) Have you ever tried to leap over the Grand Canyon on a motorcycle?

6) Do you travel on the New York City subway system late at night with money sticking out of your pockets?

7) Do you cross the street when the traffic light is still red?

8) Do you smoke while refueling your car or truck?

9) Have you ever been told to take a long walk off of a short pier?

10) Have you ever stuck your head in the water three times and only taken out twice?

11) Do you play golf during thunder and lightening storms?

12) Have you ever been a professional wrestler?

BONUS QUESTION

Have you ever ridden in a car or had cocktails with any member of the Kennedy family?

Now I realize that these questions are not medical, in nature but if you can answer “yes” to three or more of these questions it is suggested that you seek professional help, change your habits and above all discontinue strenuous outdoor activities.

NB: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not reflect those opinions of HealthNewsDigest.com or its management.

© 2006 HealthNewsDigest.com