This is the April 7, 2008, issue of Elder Law FAX, a free newsletter published by the Elder Law Practice of Timothy L. Takacs.   Americans Living Longer, Enjoying Greater Health and Prosperity, but Important Disparities Remain, Says Federal Report Average life expectancy continues to increase, and today's older Americans enjoy better health and financial security than any previous generation. Rates of gain, however, are inconsistent between the genders and across age brackets, income levels and racial and ethnic groups. Some critical disparities also exist between older Americans and older people in other industrialized countries.   These and other trends are reported in Older Americans 2008: Key Indicators of Well-Being, a comprehensive look at aging in the United States from the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. The 15 agencies that now compose the Forum include the Administration on Aging, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and U.S. Census Bureau.   Older Americans 2008, the fourth chartbook prepared by the Forum since 2000, provides indicators that are categorized into five broad areas--population, economics, health status, health risks and behaviors and health care. The 160-page report contains data on 38 key indicators--and a one-time special feature on health literacy.   Highlights from Older Americans 2008 include:    * Population: The demographics of aging in the United States continue to change dramatically, as the baby boomers accelerate growth in the percentage and numbers of older people and other important parameters change.     * Economics: More older people enjoy increased prosperity than any previous generation, with an increase in higher incomes and a decrease in the proportion of older people with low incomes and in poverty. However, major inequalities continue to exist for older blacks and for people without high school diplomas, who report smaller economic gains and fewer financial resources.     * Health Status: Americans' longevity continues to increase, although life expectancy at age 65 in the United States is lower than that of other industrialized countries. While older people experience a variety of chronic health conditions that often accompany aging, the rate of functional limitations among people age 65 and older has declined in recent years.     * Health Risks and Behaviors: Factors affecting the health and well-being of older Americans, such as smoking history, influenza and pneumonia vaccinations and mammogram screenings, are key indicators that have shown long-term improvements but no significant change in recent years.     * Health Care: Health care costs, particularly for prescription drugs, have risen dramatically for older Americans.   "The 'greatest generation' made enormous gains in health and financial security, although the gains were not shared equally," says Richard Suzman, Ph.D., director of the Behavioral and Social Research Program at the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health. "We'll be tracking their children, those just reaching their 60s, to see whether those gains can be sustained or even improved."   Suzman cautions that there could be problems, however. For example, he notes that increased rates of obesity among today's middle-aged could threaten the health of these adults as they age.   Released last month, Older Americans 2008: Key Indicators of Well-Being is available online at www.AgingStats.gov and in limited quantities in print. Supporting data for each indicator, including complete tables, PowerPoint slides and source descriptions, can be found on the Forum's Web site. Single printed copies of Older Americans 2008: Key Indicators of Well-Being are available at no charge through the National Center for Health Statistics while supplies last. Requests may be made by calling 1-866-441-6247 or by sending an e-mail to nchsquery@cdc.gov.