Explores what happens when people focus their imaginations on living life completely, rather than simply avoiding death's inevitable approach

You know what the leading causes of death are. But have you ever thought about the Leading Causes of Life? The Leading Causes of Life helps guide us through that question. The five leading causes apply to individuals, churches, and even hospitals that care about life. If you have ever cared for others; looked for meaning; stepped out in faith; found hope when life looked hopeless; or been changed by a blessing, you will appreciate this book.

During the last 25 years, life expectancy at age 50 in the United States has been rising, but at a slower pace than in many other high-income countries, such as Japan and Australia. This difference is particularly notable given that the United States spends more on health care than any other nation. Concerned about this divergence, the National Institute on Aging asked the National Research Council to examine evidence on its possible causes. According to Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries, the nation's history of heavy smoking is a major reason why lifespans in the United States fall short of those in many other high-income nations. Evidence suggests that current obesity levels play a substantial part as well. The book reports that lack of universal access to health care in the U.S. also has increased mortality and reduced life expectancy, though this is a less significant factor for those over age 65 because of Medicare access. For the main causes of death at older ages-cancer and cardiovascular disease-available indicators do not suggest that the U.S. health care system is failing to prevent deaths that would be averted elsewhere. In fact, cancer detection and survival appear to be better in the U.S. than in most other high-income nations, and survival rates following a heart attack also are favorable. Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries identifies many gaps in research. For instance, while lung cancer deaths are a reliable marker of the damage from smoking, no clear-cut marker exists for obesity, physical inactivity, social integration, or other risks considered in this book. Moreover, evaluation of these risk factors is based on observational studies, which-unlike randomized controlled trials-are subject to many biases.

This book is the first of what will be a series of "Prescriptions" to maximize one's life utilizing an approach that includes the "whole" human being, spirit, mind, and body.

What do you think about when you talk about life and death? This is the question that sent Gary Gunderson on a journey toward life, realizing that if death defines our efforts, then it will win every time. Once our imagination turns from death it becomes aparent that death isn't the only thing going on out there. The Leading Causes of Life focuses in on five powerful concepts: Connection Coherence Agency Blessing Hope To write the book, Gary partnered with Larry Pray, a widely traveled speaker who tested out the concepts he and Gary were writing about in places like Big Timber, Montana. Larry felt strongly that their work would only be accurate and useful if it rang true to people who surrounded themselves with life, wilderness, challenges, and the miracles that come with them. Gary Gunderson, D.Min., M.Div., is the Senior Vice President for Health and Welfare Ministries for Methodist Healthcare and the director for the Interfaith Health Program at Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. He is a commissioned Deacon in the United Methodist Church. Lawrence M. Pray is a pastor of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) andcurrently serves the Christian Chruch (Disciples of Christ) in Joliet, Montana and consults with St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings, Montana. He is the Senior Pastoral Scholar for Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee.

* A clear and practical guide to what fosters life * Includes questions for reflection and discussion

A rich, detailed review of best practices in community health and clinical and community partnerships across hospitals and the broader community. A crisp review of the social determinants of health, leadership, relational IT, community health navigation, financial aspects of community partnering with "social return on investment."