Participants should go through the following procedure to predict systematically their possible life expectancy. The set of items with weights are like those used in other health risk assessments, but less scientific than some others in its calculations. If a particular item does not describe them or call for a mathematical change you should go on to the next one.

1. Start with 75
2. If you are a female, add 4, if male, subtract 3
3. If you are over 35 now add 1 if over 65, add 3.
4. If your are nonwhite subtract 1.
5. If any grandparents lived to 85, add 2. If all four lived at least 80 add 4.
6. If either parents died of stroke or heart attack before 60, subtract 3.
7. If any parents or sibling has/had cancer or heart ailment, subtract 2. If any has/had diabetes, subtract 2.
8. If you are over 60 and active or working at something you enjoy, add 2.
9. If you completed college, add 1; If you completed graduate degree, add 2.
10. If you live in a urban area, subtract 2; in a town of fewer than 30,000 people add 1.
11. If you work at a sedentary job, subtract 2.
12. If you get moderately vigorous exercise for 20 - 30 minutes at least 3 times per week, add 3.
13. If you are married, add 2. If female, subtract 1 for every 5 years you have lived alone from ages 23 - 53. If male, subtract 2 for each 5 year alone from 23 - 53.
14. If you sleep 6 - 8 hours most nights, add 2. If you routinely get fewer than 6 or more than 8 hours of sleep, subtract 3.
15. Are you basically satisfied with life? Add 2; if not subtract 2.
16. Are you easily angered, and explosively responsive" If so, subtract 3; if not add 2.
17. Have you had a speeding tickets in the past year? Subtract 1 if yes. Add 1 if you always wear seatbelt; subtract 1 if you don't.
18. Do you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day or more than fourteen in a week? Subtract 3.
19. Do you smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day? Subtract 3; more than 20, subtract 5. Quit over 2 years ago? Add 2. Never smoked ? Add 3.
20. Over weight by 50 pounds? Subtract 4; by 30 or more pounds; subtract 3, and 15 - 29 pounds subtract 2. if you have a low-fat, high-fiber diet, add 3. If high ft, low fiber, or both subtract 3.
21. Women: If you have a pap smear at least every 2 years, add 2; do monthly breast self-exam, add 2. Men: Add 1 each if you do regular testicular self-exam and after 40 have annual rectal exams.
22. Use mood-lifting medications regularly? Subtract 2.
23. If you know your blood pressure, add1. If it is within normal limits, add 1 more.
24. If you know your cholesterol, add 1. if it is under 200, add 1 more.
25. If you are a loner, lacking least two close friends, subtract 2.
26. Subtract 1 each if you own a gun or engage in a risk activity like sky or scuba diving, hitchhiking, motorcycle riding, or racing motor vehicles.