A $1.7 million shortfall jeopardizes the Santa Clara County Vector Control District’s vital work controlling mosquito and tick-borne illnesses. Without a solution, employees warn that operations could cease, leaving residents vulnerable to diseases like West Nile.
Two death doulas in Gallatin County, Montana, are reshaping how families experience the end of life. By providing a compassionate presence and stress-free support, they work alongside hospice services to help people face their final days with dignity.
According to neurologist Dr. Joel Salinas, small changes repeated over time can significantly boost brain health, particularly for those feeling lonely during the holidays. His advice highlights the importance of lifestyle consistency and the potential for slowing cognitive decline.
Nell Frizzell explores why waiting until your late 30s or 40s to have a baby can be a uniquely fulfilling choice. She celebrates the added confidence, contentment, and resources that come with more life experience.
Nanjing Leads Biolabs Co., Ltd. presented new clinical data on LBL-034 at the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in Orlando. The results, featuring a median progression-free survival (PFS) trending beyond one year, spotlight a potential breakthrough in hematology.
Medicare
With a contract deadline looming, negotiations between Ascension Texas and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas could leave patients facing higher out-of-network costs. If no agreement is reached by January 1, those insured by Blue Cross and Blue Shield may see their medical bills increase at several Ascension facilities across the region.
Medicare coverage denials can raise many questions for seniors unfamiliar with the appeals process. This article offers a glimpse into a piece that promises guidance on next steps when claims are turned down.
Curative Health has secured $150 million in new funding, solidifying its billion-dollar valuation and transforming the employer health insurance space. Offering a $0-out-of-pocket plan, Curative aims to upend traditional coverage by removing deductibles and copays.
Ambetter Health, a product of Centene Corporation, will expand its coverage in Pennsylvania’s health insurance marketplace in 2026. This move aims to bring more affordable care options to residents in central Pennsylvania, reflecting a growing commitment to broaden healthcare access in the region.
Open enrollment season is just around the corner, fueling worries about escalating premiums and growing deductibles. An industry expert urges individuals to make certain moves now to avoid bigger financial hits in the new year.
Nutrition
In just six months, a detox and diet change turned one woman’s life around, leaving her with bright eyes, a bouncy bob, and a renewed perspective. Once struggling to find her spark, she now greets each day with a radiant smile.
Weight-loss drugs are making their mark at the Thanksgiving table, prompting a leaner take on holiday classics. With women 50 to 64 leading the shift, sugar and butter may be a little harder to find at this year’s feast.
Erodus has enhanced its men’s vitality supplement by introducing two research-driven ingredients: Bioperine® for improved absorption and BlackVcube® for sexual health support. This reformulation marks a step toward science-based solutions for men’s daily wellness routines, extending benefits to absorption, efficacy, and even flavor.
Touted as a breakthrough “energy booster,” CoQ10 has created a buzz among health enthusiasts. Doctors largely agree it is safe for most, but caution against viewing it as a miracle cure.
Our bodies can’t produce vitamin B12 by themselves, so we need to get it from food or other sources. This article looks at why vitamin B12 matters for our overall health and explores whether supplements might be necessary.
Fitness
Garmin’s virtual Appalachian Trail challenge requires participants to walk 2,175 miles—the same distance as the famous hiking route. One enthusiast is setting a goal to complete it by 2026, using daily step counts and a powerful fitness tracker as motivation to keep moving.
Crunch Fitness opened its doors in Pearland on December 17, offering group and hot studio classes to local residents. According to an employee with the franchise, this new facility aims to expand workout opportunities for those seeking fresh fitness options.
Strava’s 12th Annual Year in Sport Trend Report reveals a noticeable shift from doomscrolling to real-life activity. With Gen Z leading the charge toward greater fitness, connection, and community, the report also highlights the year’s top gear and global city leaderboards.
Walking isn’t just a leisurely activity—it’s a powerful tool for strengthening your heart. Discover how regular walks can enhance your heart health, according to top cardiologists.
Approximately 40 wounded veterans from multiple western U.S. states gathered in Colorado Springs on Thursday for a two-day bicycling event. The ride aims to enhance their physical and mental well-being as part of a national program supporting veterans.
Senior Care
Charlottesville’s Twice Is Nice has made history this holiday season with a $300,000 donation to organizations helping seniors in need. The boutique’s unprecedented contribution underscores the power of local generosity. Its impact will be felt across the region’s elderly support programs.
Pennsylvania officials have unveiled a far-reaching set of initiatives designed to improve the lives of older residents. The plan centers on strengthening oversight of aging services, expanding community support, and boosting research dedicated to gerontology.
As people move into their 50s and beyond, bone health grows increasingly important. Paying attention to how much calcium and vitamin D you get can make a significant difference in overall well-being and longevity.
A concerned daughter-in-law questions how to handle her mother-in-law’s request to move in. With health issues looming, she wonders how to offer help while still maintaining healthy boundaries.
A mother-in-law’s request for her adult children to move in and “take care of her and the house” raises pressing questions about the boundaries of familial duty. The story highlights a universal dilemma: how much should family members be expected to do?
Mental Health
A new article from Fox Chase Cancer Center, covered by Onclive, explores how home-based monitoring may change the landscape of T-cell redirecting therapies. While the detailed content remains behind a paywall, its premise highlights the possibility of more personalized treatment outside traditional settings.
A worried husband confides his fears about his wife’s apparent memory lapses, only to be met with denial. She insists it is simply tiredness or normal forgetfulness, leaving him anxious about her well-being.
A single oversight—forgetting to wash her hands—triggered years of shame for one reader in the “Dear Annie” column. That prolonged guilt finally dissolved thanks to compassionate advice, offering a lesson in the transformative power of self-forgiveness.
In this seasonal edition of “Dear Annie,” readers are presented with an advisory perspective on how to approach family get-togethers with grace. The column also extends warm holiday wishes, underscoring the significance of kindness and goodwill during the festive season.
A longstanding question about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) resurfaces: does it heighten the risk of heart attacks? According to one reader’s understanding of a large-scale study, men on TRT did not show increased cardiovascular risk, offering points to ponder in this ongoing discussion.
Sexual Health
Local officials are urging residents to skip personal fireworks this New Year’s Eve due to ongoing burn bans and unusually dry conditions. Their message is simple: leave the fireworks to professionals and prevent needless fire hazards.
Eight people in North Texas lost their lives to domestic violence during the holiday season, leaving families and communities shaken. Experts caution that stress at this time of year can exacerbate tensions, urging loved ones to believe and support those who may be experiencing intimate partner violence.
New Year’s Eve celebrations can turn perilous if impaired driving is involved. By encouraging sober driving and offering practical safety tips, Wisconsin students and a longtime rideshare driver hope to spark a change in how communities prepare for the holiday.
Memorial Health is imposing new rules to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses in its hospitals. Under these guidelines, each patient can receive no more than two visitors at a time, and all visitors must be adults with no signs of sickness.
Animal experts are raising alarms about popular holiday plants that can pose hidden dangers to pets. From vomiting and diarrhea to potential choking hazards, these traditional Christmas decorations may bring more risk than festive cheer for our furry companions.
Conditions
Families across the Chicago area are bracing for what feels like a rampant flu season, with many experiencing fevers, coughs, and interrupted winter breaks. One local household endured five simultaneous bouts of illness, capturing the intensity of this year’s outbreak.
Montana has confirmed another flu-related fatality, part of a rising tide of influenza cases and an increase in hospital admissions. State trends suggest this season could be more severe than in previous years, prompting growing public health concerns.
A concerning trend is emerging in colon cancer diagnoses among younger adults. This article explores the definition of early-onset colorectal cancer and considers why rates are increasing, as well as potential steps to minimize risks.
Carolina Caring Foundation has received a $30,000 grant from Speedway Children’s Charities to support its Cardinal Kids Palliative Medicine program. This crucial funding ensures children and families access care from dedicated nurses, social workers, and chaplains—services that insurance does not always cover.
Avapritinib has shown sustained reductions in symptoms for patients with indolent systemic mastocytosis, according to a recent report. The treatment also appears to maintain a favorable safety profile, making it a noteworthy development in ongoing SM research.
Tools / Trackers / Calculators
Iconic actress and Oscar winner Jane Fonda is raising a fist against the march of time by starring in a virtual-reality exercise series. At 87, she continues to defy expectations, embracing new technologies and feeling younger than ever.
Clue, a period and cycle tracking app trusted by over 100 million people, has broadened its wearable partnerships to incorporate sleep and temperature data into daily health monitoring. By teaming up with major fitness-tracking brands, Clue aims to reveal new connections between women’s cycles and overall wellness, underscoring a growing demand for tailored health insights.
Looking to reduce your processed sugar intake? Discover six natural substitutes that can help satisfy your sweet cravings in a healthier way.
Discover how the Oura Ring 3 is transforming sleep and well-being, and why now is the perfect time to get it at a $100 discount.
Polar has rolled out a significant free update to its top smartwatches, introducing features like enhanced maps with Points of Interest, charging during activities, and more customizable watch faces. These updates aim to improve user experience and address previous user feedback.
More From Health
As the holidays draw crowds into Virginia’s stores and malls, AAA advises shoppers to stay vigilant. While the season brings excitement and generosity, a momentary lapse in awareness can invite potential criminals.
Many Pennsylvanians are entering the holiday season with a distorted sense of how potent their festive beverages truly are, according to a new survey. These findings highlight potential dangers during the year’s most celebratory weeks.
As pickleball rapidly becomes a favorite pastime, local experts warn that overworked muscles and sports-related injuries are on the rise. Though it appears low-impact at first glance, pickleball can still be tough on the body when players push their limits.
A rush of energy and excitement can seem thrilling—until the financial and emotional costs of mania come into view. Whether overspending or overcommitting schedules, this heightened state often leads to a sobering reality check.
Different labels, such as “pre-washed,” “triple-washed,” and “ready to eat,” can signal whether store-bought greens are safe from the bag. By understanding what each term means, consumers can make informed choices and avoid potential risks.
Texas is on track to reach a record number of whooping cough cases, with Bexar County already reporting over 200 infections among children. Officials and public health agencies emphasize preventative measures, particularly vaccination, to stem the growing tide of this respiratory disease.
A new gemcitabine intravesical system appears to lower the likelihood of radical cystectomy in high-risk, BCG-unresponsive non–muscle invasive bladder cancer. Published on Onclive, the article highlights how this therapy could significantly impact patient care moving forward.
Residents in a Surrey village worry that a plan to build 45 retirement homes could transform their rural community into a dense urban environment. Many fear that the proposal mirrors the crowded conditions seen in inner London.
BioAge Labs, Inc. has released interim results showing that its novel brain-penetrant NLRP3 inhibitor, BGE-102, was well-tolerated in early testing. Preliminary data suggests this once-daily oral medication could bring new options for conditions linked to inflammatory pathways.
Metformin, a commonly discussed medication in diabetes care, does not improve insulin resistance in Type 1 patients, according to a recent report. This finding may influence future considerations about its role for those managing Type 1 diabetes.
