Introduction Nutrition is essential at all life stages for overall health, however childhood is a time of increased need for proper nutrition. Key nutrients are needed to promote healthy physical and cognitive growth and development. Unfortunately, the vast majority of American children are not consuming healthy diets. While federal programs and policies aim to provide … Continue reading
Tag Archives: health
A Call for Social Determinants
It is common knowledge that the United States spends substantially more money on health care than other developed nations, yet it is by no means the healthiest country. Health care accounts for one-sixth of United States’ gross domestic product (GDP), but morbidity continues to rise. Two out of three American adults are obese, one-third of American adults have high blood pressure, and diabetes prevalence is … Continue reading
Price Transparency: An Exacerbation or Solution to the Mounting Cost of Health Care?
On Wednesday, June 27, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing to discuss the rising cost of health care in the U.S. Several panelists mentioned increasing price transparency as a potential solution to the growing issue. The disclosure of health care prices is by no means a new … Continue reading
Extending the Age of Antibiotics
In May 2015, it was discovered that a patient in the U.S. had contracted a strain of bacteria that was resistant to the strongest of antibiotics, a characteristic known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This condition can result in previously harmless and treatable infections becoming deadly “superbugs.” Reactions to this announcement ranged from paranoid to nonchalant, … Continue reading
ACA Made Easy: Individual Shared Responsibility
Since the Individual Mandate statute of the Affordable Care Act was enacted in January 2014, every American is accountable for an Individual Shared Responsibility* payment every year. Meaning, if you do not have health insurance, you will face penalties. While you may not see an actual summons, or pay a fine, the federal government enforces … Continue reading
Meat Industry Challenged by New DGAC Report
Do you love coffee but also love red meat and dessert? If so, there’s good news and bad news. On Thursday, February 19, the Dietary Guideline Advisory Committee (DGAC) released a lengthy 571-page report of suggestions to the Department of Heath and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The report explained … Continue reading
Curbing Student Alcoholism with Stress Management Promotion Programs
The unfortunate truth is that all generations of Americans are experiencing high rates of stress and often feel they should be doing more to manage it. However, research shows we have made progress in increasing healthier stress management behaviors. Over the last five years, stress management behaviors like eating food and drinking alcohol have decreased … Continue reading
Delayed Aging: A New Concept for Living a Longer, Healthier Life
Slowing the biological aging process (senescence) is now a realistic goal. According to a new research study published in Health Affairs, the elimination of diseases such as cancer and heart disease would have less effect on longevity and quality of life than delaying aging itself. Although most medical research remains focused on combating individual diseases, … Continue reading
Long-Term Care: The Elephant in the Room
Long-term care is a real concern facing America today. Individuals live longer and are facing more chronic illnesses requiring constant care. Yet untrained and unpaid family members provide most long-term care for their loved ones. A recent article published Reuters revealed that four out of ten adults are caring for an elderly family member. It … Continue reading
Healthy, not just “healthy”
Forbes has a list of 10 ‘healthy’ habits that drain your bank account. Those ten are: drinking bottled water, taking unnecessary supplements, having a gym membership and not using it, drinking soy milk, eating organic peanut butter, drinking diet soda, drinking orange juice, buying unnecessary skin treatments, colonics, and eating protein bars. These habits could … Continue reading
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