Parents often wonder: What can we do to keep our children healthy? Are there ways to boost the immune system and ward off illnesses? The answer is yes — but there are no magic wands or magic supplements. The best way to keep the immune system healthy is, basically, to take necessary steps to keep […]
Are you getting health care you don’t need?
Ever wonder if every medical test or treatment you've taken was truly necessary? Or are you inclined to get every bit of health care you can? Maybe you feel good about getting the most out of your health insurance. Perhaps a neighborhood imaging center is advertising discounted screening tests, your employer offers health screens as […]
Respiratory health harms often follow flooding: Taking these steps can help
Heavy rains and sea level rise contribute to major flooding events that are one effect of climate change. Surging water rushing into buildings often causes immediate harms, such as drowning deaths, injuries sustained while seeking shelter or fleeing, and hypothermia after exposure to cold waters with no shelter or heat. But long after news trucks […]
The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters is soaring, but are they safe?
Ever ridden an e-scooter or e-bike? The convenience, affordability, and flat-out fun of these “micromobility” modes of transportation are undeniable. But did it also seem a bit dangerous? In fact, the rate of accidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters is climbing. Maybe that shouldn’t be surprising given their dramatic jump in popularity. And then there’s the […]
When should your teen or tween start using skin products?
Social media and stores are full of products that promise perfect skin. Increasingly, these products are being marketed not just to adults but to teens and tweens. Many are benign, but some can cause skin irritation — and can be costly. And even if these products are benign, does buying them support unhealthy notions about […]
Which skin creams are most effective for eczema?
Quelling the discomfort of atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, can be a daily quest. This inflamed, itchy skin condition can interfere with sleeping, socializing, and many other activities. If home remedies such as gentle cleansing and regular moisturizing don’t provide relief, your doctor might recommend a prescription treatment to apply to your […]
Is the portfolio diet the best diet ever?
News flash: What we eat can play a pivotal role in warding off — or treating — disease and enhancing quality of life. You may already believe this, and certainly mounting evidence supports that idea. But on the cluttered shelf of diets claiming top health benefits, which one ranks as the absolute best? That’s a […]
Why follow a vaccine schedule for children?
By the first week in September this year, US health officials had already tallied 247 cases of measles, a highly contagious illness. For perspective, in 2023, 59 measles cases were reported during the full year. This isn’t surprising, as vaccination rates for preventable childhood illnesses have decreased, according to the Centers for Disease Control and […]