WASHINGTON, DC—The most important health decision you will ever make may be who you pick to be your surgeon. An AARP investigative report shows that some surgeons have complication rates three times the industry average. The implications are huge: in 2015, over 3,400 people died due to surgical complications, and another 63,000 were injured, according to one study.

To help you pick the right surgeon – and the hospital to have the surgery at – AARP Bulletin's September issue offers a special health section, "Take Charge of Your Healthcare," with need-to-know insights on why and how to find the right doctor, surgeon, hospital and medical team to meet your family's unique health needs. The guide outlines how to discover a surgeon's history and track record, whether a hospital provides quality care before and after the procedure, and more. Also, in an exclusive report, 17 nurses, physicians and healthcare experts reveal the traits, skills and attitudes to look for in a doctor to get the very best care.

Other stories in September's AARP Bulletin:

Health
A shocking one-third of adults are afflicted with prediabetes, but because the condition has no obvious symptoms, the vast majority of them don't know it. About 15 to 30 percent of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years if they don't alter their eating and fitness habits. In this month's issue, AARP Bulletin answers key questions about prediabetes and offers tips and resources on how to prevent diabetes before it's too late.

Did you know that you can find out your risk for developing Parkinson's disease or late-onset Alzheimer's with some saliva and $200? Thanks to a new ruling by the FDA, consumers can bypass doctors for the first time to learn their genetic risk for 10 diseases via a mail-in testing kit. But is it better not to know? AARP Bulletin's September issue sheds light on this controversial test and offers a personal experience from one tester on its staff.

Money
For many Americans, Social Security is a big part of their retirement income. But many start drawing on that nest egg too soon, especially if they are in a financial bind. However, in "Don't Rush Social Security," AARP Bulletin explains why you are better off in almost every scenario to wait until 70 before taking Social Security retirement benefits.

If you have ever watched Antiques Roadshow, you have likely wondered if your "junk" in the attic has any value. Covering old cardboard advertising signs to war artifacts, the AARP Bulletin offers advice on which collectibles in your home might be worth a small fortune.

Fraud
By learning your Social Security number, fraudsters can easily wreak havoc on your life: stealing your money and government benefits, and getting medical care and other services in your name. This can lead to a tangled mess.  Worse, applying for a new "Social" isn't easy. AARP Bulletin's September issue offers five "Social" smarts for protecting your ID from fraudsters.

Entertainment
Coming out in theaters this month is Battle of the Sexes, a film based on the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. King won the match nicknamed "Battle of the Sexes" and became a symbol for women's equality in sports and in American life. In an interview with AARP Bulletin King discusses how the match changed America, her passion for promoting equality, and who inspires her every day.

Learn more at http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/. Interviews with AARP's experts are available upon request.

About AARP Bulletin
The definitive news source for AARP's members, AARP Bulletin (http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/) reaches more than 23.5 million households each month in print, with additional news and in-depth coverage online. Covering health and health policy, Medicare, Social Security, consumer protection, personal finance, and AARP state and national news developments, AARP Bulletin delivers the story behind the key issues confronting 50+ America. The monthly consumer-oriented news publication has become a must-read for congressional lawmakers and Washington opinion leaders, and it provides AARP members with pertinent information they need to know.

About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name.  As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.