Senate Democrats took a critical step toward reducing inflation and the cost of living by passing the Inflation Reduction Act. Proponents said the measure would make a big difference for many Americans by locking in savings on health insurance premiums and reducing the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices. The…
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The White House announced the awarding of the first grant from the nearly $300 million in funding allocated to expand access to mental health services in American schools. President Joe Biden secured the funding through the bipartisan omnibus agreement to expand access to school mental health…
The Biden-Harris administration announced it would increase America’s supply of monkeypox vaccine by making an additional 1.8 million doses of Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos vaccine available for ordering (on 8/22/22). According to a White House Fact Sheet, the Department of Health and Human Services has set aside 50,000 doses of vaccine from the Strategic National Stockpile,…
As back-to-school season gets underway, it’s important to ensure that your child is ready for the school year, both physically and emotionally, by scheduling a well-child visit. Annual well-child visits are doctor appointments for preventive health services which are essential for ensuring a child’s growth and tracking developmental milestones. The well-child visit is also the…
Very common in adults and on the rise in children, heel pain continues to be the number one reason patients seek care from foot and ankle surgeons. While experts say there are many reasons for heel pain, including bursitis, Achilles tendonitis, bone bruises, fractures, growth spurts, and nerve pain, the most common cause is plantar…
It’s that time of year: Kids are squeezing in the last seconds of summer, and parents are working hard to make sure the first days back at school go off without a hitch. Once kids return to the classroom, it’s important to remember that their brains aren’t the only things that will be put to…
Men are notorious for avoiding the doctor and ignoring warning signs when it comes to their health. New research confirms this isn’t just a myth with 2 in 5 men saying they’ve put off seeing a doctor until their symptoms were urgent and 1 in 3 men avoiding the doctor altogether out of fear of…
The COVID-19 pandemic has shined much-needed light on “whole person health” by highlighting the correlation between behavioral health and overall wellness. Many people with behavioral health challenges experienced worsening symptoms throughout the pandemic, while others struggled with conditions for the first time and didn’t know where to turn. Understanding whole person health – and where…
High-quality sleep is fundamental to your health and happiness. However, for the 10-30% of U.S. adults living with sleep apnea, a good night’s rest is not guaranteed. Obstructive sleep apnea is a respiratory condition where airways narrow during sleep, causing short periods when you’re not breathing. Incredibly common, it’s estimated that there are millions of…
It’s all-too-common for those embarking on a regular exercise routine to skip a planned workout for one reason or another. Here are some of the most common excuses that people make not to exercise, along with some solutions to overcome these challenges: “I need low-impact exercises.” Many traditional workouts are tough on joints, which over…
By Contributing Writer Frenetta Tate Do you find yourself struggling to get motivated? Are there things you want to do but just can’t seem to make yourself do them? If so, you’re not alone. A lot of people struggle with this issue. In fact, it’s one of the biggest challenges many people face when trying…
Menstruation (your period) is a normal and necessary process for the human body – yet the stigma around menstruation remains common. While it’s a completely natural and well-known process, menstruators often feel embarrassed or uncomfortable openly discussing their period and its symptoms or purchasing menstrual products.[1] A nationwide survey of over 13,000 Americans between the…
There is no more familiar item in your medicine cabinet than a bottle of aspirin. Aspirin has been sold for over a century as an over-the-counter medication and millions of people take it. Aspirin is used to help treat pain associated with headaches and arthritis, and for fever reduction. People also take low-dose aspirin daily…
The pandemic caused massive disruptions in health care, from cancellation of elective surgeries to patients putting off critical screenings and procedures, including colonoscopies, mammograms, knee or hip replacement surgeries, and even in some cases more urgent heart procedures. As a consequence, many preventable health problems may show an alarming increase in the near future. Anesthesiologists…
Older adults experiencing behavioral health issues such as anxiety or depression may be embarrassed and think they simply need to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps,” but helping them seek help can empower them to live their best lives, according to experts. “Everyone is different, but there are tools for better health, including therapy, medication,…
When patients hear that they’ll need anesthesia to undergo surgery or a procedure, they’ll likely start to worry. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, 88% percent of patients experience preanesthetic fear, and in some cases that fear even causes anxious patients to cancel surgeries. A recent American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology…
Physical activity and time outside are two wonderful gifts for your body and mind; they’re proven to reduce stress and anxiety and offer a greater sense of well-being. L.L.Bean recently partnered with Mental Health America to share 10 ways getting outside can boost your energy, mood, and state of mind. Set aside just 10 minutes….
In the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there continues to be a surge of cases in parts of the United States. Many of these cases may occur when people catch the virus in their communities and bring it home, where it can spread to other members of their household. Some doctors are currently enrolling…
The stress of a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming for patients, families, and caregivers. And while each person’s response to hearing the words “you have cancer” may differ, feelings of stress, fear, and unease are common. According to a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, one in three people with cancer experience mental or…
“I’m fine,” is a phrase Kelsey Voskamp, a Colorado resident, used many times in her life while pushing through what she thought were just headaches. Like many others who are misdiagnosed or undertreated, Voskamp didn’t realize she experienced a neurological disease called migraine and didn’t know how to explain to her family, and even her…
