24232: (news) Chamberlain: "Haitian" is world's oldest man (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

                        Cuba's geriatric club claims world's oldest man


    HAVANA, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Cuba's "120 Years Club," inspired by
President Fidel Castro to help Cubans live to a ripe old age, on Wednesday
claimed one of its members as the world's oldest man at 119.
     Benito Martinez Abagan actually says he was born in Haiti in 1880 and
came to Cuba in 1925 to work in the sugar cane fields and build roads. But
both his memory and identity document, which shows him to be 123, are
questionable, say officials.
     Dr. Eugenio Selman-Housein, Castro's personal physician and president
of the "120 Years Club," said experts are working to determine the man's
exact age.
     "We are sure he is at least 119, or a bit less. That still makes him
the world's oldest living man at present," Selman said.
     According to authenticated records the world's oldest living man is a
113-year-old Peurto Rican.
     A dozen Cubans over the age of 100 attended Wednesday's first meeting
of the club, which aims to extend longevity in Cuba through healthier
diets, moderate exercise and plenty of motivation.
     Cuba has a life expectancy of 77 years, the highest among developing
nations and 24th in the world. That is five years shorter than Japan, where
people live longest, on average to 82.
     Cuba's Communist government points to its free public health system as
the main reason Cubans live longer, and the target is to raise life
expectancy to 80.
     Castro, 78 and the world's longest-serving political leader,
encouraged Selman to start the "120 Years Club" and the membership is
growing, the doctor said.
     "Cuba is the only country that has all the conditions people need to
live to 120 years," he said. Stem cell research under way in Cuba could
extend that limit, he added.
     Club geriatrics expert Enrique Vega said a good genetic mix and
Cubans' cheerful outlook contributed to their longevity. But Cubans still
smoke excessively, exercise too little and hardly eat vegetables and fish,
so there is room for improvement, he said.
     For 103-year-old Agustin Gutierrez, the secret to a long life is a
productive and sexually active life. "The more I worked the stronger I got,
and there were many women," he said.