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…
When you think about exercise, you likely think about the physical health benefits of working out. Many people exercise regularly to lose or maintain weight, improve muscle tone and strength or increase flexibility. For seniors, physical activity can help them stay mobile and, as a result, stay independent for longer. However, the benefits of exercise…
By Contributing Writer Tami V. Allen, MS, LPC Religion and spirituality are both rooted in understanding how a relationship with one’s higher power influences the meaning of life. Though both religion and spirituality are closely related, they play differing roles. Religion is a structured, collective belief system, and spirituality is within an individual based on…
By Contributing Writer Tami V. Allen, MS, LPC Having a baby is one of the most precious gifts of life but it’s very natural to feel overwhelmed after the birth, having to adjust to a new way of life. But what if you are, eventually, not able to move beyond the feelings of being overwhelmed,…
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan remains on a journey to justice. He said President Joe Biden’s historic bipartisan infrastructure bill provides an opportunity to finally rid America of poisonous lead pipes and free communities of color of the toxins that have polluted their…
Over the last two years, the mental health crisis in the United States has gotten worse. A major reason for that is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has contributed to a rise in anxiety and depression among young people. But even before the pandemic, as many as one in six children in the United States between…
A new survey reveals that the mental health of American moms is going largely unattended, with many living under a near-constant state of stress and few seeking support to ease the burden. The research, commissioned by MDLIVE, an Evernorth company and leading provider of virtual care services in the United States, finds that 33% of…
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates among teenagers rose almost 60 percent from 2007 to 2018. The CDC and other federal agencies describe a crisis that includes surging mental health disorders among the country’s young. For example, major depressive episodes in…
By Brianna Patt How Male Abuse Is Minimized In an op-ed by Neffer Kerr titled, “Strong & Silent: Breaking the Stigma of Abuse Because Black Men Are Victims, Too,” by Ebony Magazine, Kerr recalls learning that her male friend, who was over six feet tall and gave off a facade of confidence, was being abused….
Americans experience varying levels of stress for a wide variety of reasons and many struggles to find healthy ways to manage it. Minimizing occasional stress is important as it can affect overall health and well-being. Stress can feel overwhelming at times but setting aside time to unwind each day to focus on your physical and…
By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines After Actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock during the Oscars for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, one word was echoed around the world – alopecia. From break rooms to the morning talk shows, people were asking, “what is alopecia?” Even though many people in the nation…
When improving your health and wellness, it’s essential to take care of your eyes too. For African Americans, this is especially important because of increased risk factors for eye disease and vision loss. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, glaucoma – a disease that damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss – is…
Health solutions and preventative wellness have never been more crucial. Today, six in 10 Americans live with at least one chronic disease, many of which can be prevented by eating well, being physically active, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and getting regular health screenings. People are increasingly choosing to prioritize their well-being today to enjoy a…
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the launch of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA). According to a news release, the CFA seeks to enhance the nation’s ability to use data, models, and analytics to enable timely, effective decision-making…
In an extensive analysis of patient claims data, health plan member engagement has emerged as employers’ single best-practice solution for controlling costs and improving outcomes for their employees. In the fifth joint white paper by the Health Action Council and UnitedHealthcare, a comprehensive analysis of 320,000+ covered lives identified 50% of nearly $2 billion in…