HEALTH & WELLNESS

By Feature Impact | ContributorDespite its wide recognition as an effective tool for skin cancer prevention, many Americans still say they aren’t sure how sunscreen works. In fact, confusion about its use and misinformation persist, especially on social media.According to a national survey conducted by Atomik Research on behalf of the nonprofit Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), 53% of the 2,000 adult respondents said they’ve seen claims that sunscreen ingredients may be harmful while 59% reported they’re concerned about what’s in sunscreen and 38% don’t believe sunscreen is safe and effective.This sunscreen confusion highlights a central challenge in preventing skin cancer, which is the most common form of cancer in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and P...

Courtesy of American Heart AssociationMore than 10 years ago, a mere five words frightened desk jockeys everywhere: “sitting is the new smoking.” Still, many people across the U.S. are walking less than they used to. Long days spent sitting can take a toll over time, negatively impacting bodies and minds.Research from the American Heart Association shows 1 in 4 adults in the United States sits for longer than 8 hours each day, leading to an increased risk ofcardiovascular disease, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and premature death.Feeling stretched by the demands of everyday life is common. However, simply adding just 20 minutes of daily physical activity may reduce the risk of disease and improve mental health, according to research published in “JAMA Internal Medicine.” Additi...

Content Courtesy of Grant Halliburton FoundationLiving through mental health challenges is hard. Whether you’re going through struggles yourself or supporting a friend or loved one, here are a number of resources to help you or a friend navigate through tough times.WEBSITESTeen Talk is a youth health education program. They provide services for youth from a harm reduction, prevention education perspective. Teen Talk’s focus is on sexuality, reproductive health, body image, substance use awareness, mental health, issues of diversity and anti-violence issues. They adhere to the belief that by providing youth with accurate, non-judgmental information they can make healthier decisions and choices for themselves!JED is a nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for ...

By Features Impact for American Heart AssociationShingles isn’t just a painful rash and nerve pain. It’s also linked with a higher risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, especially in the weeks to months after infection. However, shingles is largely preventable with vaccination.The world’s leading nonprofit organization focused onchanging the future of healthfor all, the American Heart Association, reminds eligible adults to protect themselves by getting vaccinated and staying on top of their heart health.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. will get shingles in their lifetime. If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus that causes shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is already inside you. It can “...

Leafy greens such as spinach and kale and perennial kid favorites such as strawberries and grapes held the highest levels ofpotentially harmful pesticide residues based on government tests, according to the2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce.Nectarines, peaches, cherries, apples, blackberries, pears, potatoes and blueberries filled out this year’s “Dirty Dozen” most pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables, according to the report released Tuesday by theEnvironmental Working Group, or EWG, a health advocacy organization.Spinach, which holds the top spot, had more pesticide residue by weight than any other type of produce and contained, on average, four or more different types of pesticides, according to EWG, which has published the annual report since 2004.Samples of every produce t...

By American Heart Association | ContributorMaking small, simple changes to your overall eating pattern can help you and your family stay healthy. Learn the basics of good nutrition and making healthy food and drink choices.Eating healthy can help reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and many other diseases and conditions. The good news is, eating right doesn’t have to be hard or require you to give up all the foods you love. And it can be easy, affordable and delicious.Here are some ways you and your family can adopt a healthier eating style:Power Your PlateFruits and vegetablescontain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Try to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables. They can be chopped up and added to many dishes and are a good replacement for less healthy sides such as...

By American Heart Association | ContributorWhat is processed food?Most foods are processed – changed, prepared or packaged – in some way before we eat them. They fall somewhere on a spectrum from minimally processed (such as salad mix, bagged dry beans, roasted unsalted nuts or frozen fruits or vegetables) to what some nutrition experts refer to as highly or ultra-processed (such as sugary beverages, chips or smoked sausage).Some processed foods have ingredients added, such as sweeteners, oils, colors and preservatives. Some are fortified to add nutrients such as fiber, calcium or vitamin D. Some are simply prepped for convenience (washed or chopped) or packaged to last longer. Processes such as pasteurizing milk, canning fruits and vegetables, and vacuum packing meats help prevent spoilag...

By Britt Hemsell, Ruby Care Senior Living Advisor | ContributorWhen a loved one begins to need support at home, one of the first questions families ask is: “Do we need Home Health or Home Care?”These terms sound similar. They both happen in the home. They can even happen at the same time. But they arenotthe same. Understanding the difference can prevent gaps in care, reduce hospital readmissions, and most importantly, ensure your loved one gets the right kind of support at the right time.Having experienced this with family members multiple times I will share my experience and discuss the differences between the two and identify what Medicare or insurance helps cover.Home HealthHome Healthismedical careprovided in the home by licensed healthcare professionals. It is ordered by a physician a...

Family Features | ContributorThe first GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) medication was approved for weight loss use more than a decade ago with new more effective versions being approved by the FDA over the past few years. As the use of these medications continues to rise, new research highlights the important role nutrition and lifestyle habits can play in supporting muscle, metabolism and long-term weight loss when using the medication.Whether you’re new to GLP‑1s or navigating the next phase of your journey, small nutrition shifts powered by protein, fiber and hydration can help you feel strong, confident and supported.Common side effectsexperienced by GLP-1 users are often digestive and include nausea, constipation, stomach pain, bloating and more. A pilot clinical trial by Atkins sugge...

By American Heart AssociationWhen you’re searching for health advice online, finding simple, trustworthy answers can be hard to find. But you’ve come to the right place.We compiled a list of questions based on popular internet searches, then ran them past Dr. Shawna Nesbitt, the John C. Vanatta III Professor of Internal Medicine in the hypertension section of the division of cardiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She’s also medical director of the Parkland Hypertension Clinic.Along with her answers, you’ll also find helpful links to information from the American Heart Association vetted by a team of medical and science advisors. (But if you think you’re dealing with a heart attack, stroke or cardiac arrest, call 911.)What causes high blood pressure, and how can I fix it qu...