TEST YOURSELF
Test Determines Your Risk of Death
Tue Feb 14, 4:00 PM ET
If you're 50 or older, this test developed by researchers at the
San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center attempts to
calculate your risk of death within four years. Of course, it's
not foolproof, but the researchers say it can give you a rough
idea of your survival chances.
The test appears in Journal of the American Medical Association:
points
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questions
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Age: 60-64 years old 1 point;
65-69 2 points;
70-74 3 points;
75-79 4 points;
80-84 5 points;
85 and older 7 points.
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Female: 0 points
Male 2 points.
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Body-Mass Index:
Less than 25 (normal weight or less) 1 point.
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Diabetes: 2 points.
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Cancer (excluding minor skin cancers): 2 points.
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Chronic lung disease that limits activities or requires oxygen use at home: 2 points.
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Congestive heart failure: 2 points.
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Cigarette smoking in the past week: 2 points.
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Difficulty bathing/showering because of a health or memory problem: 2 points.
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Difficulty managing money, paying bills, keeping track of expenses because of a health or memory problem: 2 points.
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Difficulty walking several blocks because of a health problem: 2 points
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Difficulty pushing or pulling large objects like a living room chair because of a health problem: 1 point.
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TOTAL SCORE:
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EXPLANATION OF SCORE
 0 to 5 points less than a 4 percent risk of dying; 6-9 points 15 percent risk;
10-13 points 42 percent risk;
14 or more points 64 percent risk.
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Note: Researchers say the 1-point penalty for having a body-mass index under 25 (normal weight or less) is based on findings that being underweight is a health risk for elderly people.
APPETITE QUESTIONNAIRE
ADHD Symptom Checklist
Below is a checklist containing 18 items which describe characteristics frequently found in people with ADHD. Items 1-9 describe characteristics of inattention. Items 10-15 describe characteristics of hyperactivity. Items 16-18 describe characteristics of impulsivity.
In the space before each statement put the number that best describes your child’s (your student’s) behavior (0=never or rarely; 1 = sometimes; 2 = often; 3 = very often).
___1. Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
___2. Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
___3. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
___4. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
___5. Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.
___6. Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework).
___7. Loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
___8. Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
___9. Is often forgetful in daily activities.
___10. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
___11. Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected.
___12. Runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness).
___13. Has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
___14. Is “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor.”
___15. Talks excessively.
___16. Blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
___17. Has difficulty awaiting his or her turn.
___18. Interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).
Count the number of items in each group (inattention items 1-9 and hyperactivity-impulsivity items 10-18) you marked “2” or “3.” If six or more items are marked “2” or “3” in each group this could indicate serious problems in the groups marked.
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