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Baby boomers should be on guard for pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, hepatitis C - and loneliness, says state's top doctor

New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, MD, JDAmong the top health issues facing baby boomers are conditions that can often be treated successfully: pre-diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure and hepatitis C. State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, MD, JD, is traveling the state with other health experts to focus attention on common diseases affecting those born between 1945 and 1965. Detecting and treating these illnesses early should be part of everyone's discussions with their health care providers, he says. If pre-diabetes is found and treated, full-blown diabetes can be prevented or delayed, for example, and simple readings can detect high blood pressure, which can then be controlled before it causes serious damage. Hepatitis C, a chronic viral infection that can stem from intravenous drug use or blood products years ago, can now be cured. Zucker also touches on loneliness, which can lead to poor health habits and a less active mind, and he explains other efforts to improve state residents' health.

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