According to recent surveys, Americans are stressed out by inflation and are planning to buy fewer Christmas gifts and donate less to charity.  Last year on average, people bought about 16 gifts for family and friends, this year that number has dropped to nine.  Another survey found that many are planning to donate less with 44% blaming a lack of funds.  Jon Hilsenrath, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for how inflation is souring the holiday season.

 

Next, hospitals are being pushed to the brink as we see RSV, Covid and the flu infecting people at high rates.  We are also seeing a continued staffing shortage in the healthcare industry that is causing a replay of what we saw during the height of the pandemic.  A slew of nursing home closures is also pushing more into the hospital system.  Sabrina Malhi, health and science reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.

 

Finally, dogs and humans can both get dementia, a problem we know comes with age.  We also know that movement and exercise can help reduce the risk of getting the degenerative disease.  Two recent studies are offering new data about the precise amounts of walking that can protect human and dog brains.  Gretchen Reynolds, health columnist at The Washington Post, joins us for why it’s definitely a good idea to take your dog out for a walk.

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