The Silver Book® provides the latest statistics on the prevalence of infectious diseases that disproportionately affect seniors such as pneumonia, influenza (“flu”), and herpes zoster (“shingles”). Seniors are more susceptible to developing a significant illness from these common infectious diseases, which too often lead to hospitalization, severe complications, and death. In fact, the death rate from pneumonia and influenza combined is close to 130 times higher in people age 85 and older, compared to people ages 45 to 54. This increased risk due to age is even higher than that seen in heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other leading causes of death.

To see the data online and access volumes on other chronic diseases of aging, visit www.silverbook.org.