We sat down with New York Presbyterian's Dr. Carlton McGregor, MD, to talk about how faith plays a big part in the health of his older patients.

Q: You mentioned that one of your favorite parts about being a doctor is seeing patients who are 90 or 95 years old who are in great health and living by themselves. What are some of the things that these people do that keep them so healthy?

A: These healthy 90-or 95-year-olds don't drink, don't smoke, etc. They also typically have lots of faith. They like to help people. They go to church every Sunday, and that keeps them going. At church, they have lots of support.

I think that these older people with faith show how the mind and spirit are connected to wellness. There's a difference between being and feeling. Many times doctors will tell their patients that there is nothing wrong with them, and the patient will sit there and say "but there is something wrong!" That's when they have to see another doctor, because even though there may not be something physically wrong with them, there might be something spiritually or mentally wrong that is making them feel ill. They need to find a doctor who understands that.

Also, if you think about all that people in this age group have gone through, you realize that they have a different outlook on life. They've been through World War I, The Depression, World War II, The Korean War, and Civil Rights - all of that takes a lot out of a person. These people have a different attitude towards life, a thicker hide, stronger will and faith that helps them stay healthy and productive.

Harlem Word is a series of interviews with Harlem health experts, written by HHPC and reviewed by our Health Advisory Board