The Gender and Aging: Mortality and Health International Brief issued by the US Census Bureau outlines the health care challenges inherent in worldwide life expectancy gains. According to the study, women who reach older age can expect to live more disability-free years than their male counterparts and the number of widows is rising rapidly in most parts of the world.

This Web site from the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion -- part of the Centers for Disease Control -- provides online health information for older adults. Resources include downloadable publications, links to informative Web sites, and a Public Health and Aging Listserv. Readers interested in age-related public health issues and research should find this site...