All of us want optimal health. But many of us do not know how to achieve it. Taking this quiz, adapted from one created by the U.S. Public Health Service, is a good place to start. The behaviors covered in the test are recommended for most Americans. (Some of them may not apply to people with certain diseases or disabilities or to pregnant women, who may require special advice from their physicians.)

1.	I avoid using tobacco.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
2.	I smoke only low-tar-and-nicotine cigarettes or I smoke a pipe or cigars or I use spit tobacco.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
Tobacco Score:

Alcohol and Other Drugs

1.	I avoid alcohol or I drink no more than 1 (women) or 2 (men) drinks a day.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
2.	I avoid using alcohol or other drugs as a way of handling stressful situations or the problems in my life.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
3.	I am careful not to drink alcohol when taking medications, such as for colds or allergies, or when pregnant.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
4.	I read and follow the label directions when using prescribed and over-the-counter drugs.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
Alcohol and Other Drugs Score:

Nutrition

1.	I eat a variety of foods each day, including seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
2.	I limit the amount of total fat and saturated and trans fat in my diet.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
3.	I avoid skipping meals.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
4.	I limit the amount of salt and sugar I eat.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
Nutrition Score:

Exercise/ Fitness

1.	I engage in moderate exercise for 20-60 minutes, 3-5 times a week.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
2.	I maintain a healthy weight, avoiding overweight and underweight.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
3.	I do exercises to develop muscular strength and endurance at least twice a week.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
4.	I spend some of my leisure time participating physical activities such as gardening, bowling, golf, or baseball.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
Exercise/Fitness Score:

Emotional Health

1.	I enjoy being a student, and I have a job or do other work that I like.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
2.	I find it easy to relax and express my feelings freely.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
3.	I manage stress well.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
4.	I have close friends, relatives, or others I can talk to about personal matters and call on for help.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
5.	I participate in group activities (such as church and community organizations) or hobbies that I enjoy.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
Emotional Health Score:

Safety

1.	I wear a safety belt while riding in a car.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
2.	I avoid driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
3.	I obey traffic rules and the speed limit when driving.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
4.	I read and follow instructions on the labels of potentially harmful products or substances, such as household cleaners, poisons, and electrical appliances.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
5.	I avoid smoking in bed.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
Safety Score:

Disease Prevention

1.	I know the warning signs of cancer, heart attack, and stroke.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
2.	I avoid overexposure to the sun and use sunscreens.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
3.	I get recommended medical screening tests (such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks and Pap tests), immunization, and booster shots.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
4.	I practice monthly skin and breast/testicle self-exams.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
5.	I am not sexually active or I have sex with only one mutually faithful, uninfected partner or I always engage in safer sex (using condoms) and I do not share needles to inject drugs.	Select... Almost always Sometimes Never
Disease Prevention Score:

Scores of 9 and 10—Excellent! Your answers show that you are aware of the importance of this area to wellness. More important, you are putting your knowledge to work for you by practicing good health habits. As long as you continue to do so, this area should not pose a serious health risk. It's likely that you are setting an example for your family and friends to follow. Since you earned a very high test score on this part of the test, you may want to focus on other areas where your scores indicate room for improvement.

Scores of 6 to 8—Your health practices in this area are good, but there is room for improvement. Look again at the items you answered with a "Sometimes" or "Never." What changes can you make to improve your score? Even a small change can often help you achieve better health.

Scores of 3 to 5—Your health risks are showing! You may need more information about the risks you are facing and about why it is important for you to change these behaviors. Perhaps you need help in deciding how to successfully make the changes you desire.

Scores of 0 to 2—Your answers show that you may be taking serious and unnecessary risks with your health. Perhaps you are not aware of the risks and what to do about them. You can easily get the information and help you need to improve, if you wish. The next step is up to you.

To see how your health habits affect your longevity potential, take the quiz at http://www.livingto100.com.

Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.