The Encyclopedia of Global Health states, “While it is impossible to avoid all illnesses, there are many forms of preventive care that reduce health risks by improving individual health.” What preventive care do you need to have this year? It depends on your age as well as your risk factors. Some recent studies have suggested that perhaps the annual physical should not be a matter of course, as it can be a drain on primary care resources without much benefit. However, there are some biometrics

Perhaps with more people staying home from parties this year, drunk driving will be less of a problem on new year’s eve. However, the risk of overdose can be reduced on the 31st, and year round through expanded access to overdose education and naloxone, public awareness, assessment, and referral to treatment according to The Missouri Opioid-Heroin Overdose Prevention and Education (MO-HOPE) Project. The National Harm Reduction Coalition states opioid overdoses happen when there are so many

Did you know that on average, Americans gain a little over a pound in the week following Christmas? Would it make you feel better if I told you so do Germans and the Japanese? Misery loves company. And fudge. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study in September that found Americans aren’t the only ones who put on weight during celebratory times. But, a report in Nutrition Review suggests that pounds Americans gain can have long lasting effects: weight gain during the holiday season

The World Health Organization has released an unwelcome but potentially life-saving message for the holiday season: Don’t hug. It may seem that instead of the Grinch, COVID-19 stole Christmas this year. However, just as the Whos down in Whoville persevered, we can too. My oldest daughter quarantined in her dorm room for two weeks, getting a COVID test on day 10, so that she could spend a few days with my mom before Christmas. Once she returns to our house, where we have a variety of school

Social distancing. Quarantining. Isolating. These terms weren’t regular parts of our lexicon last year at this time. And even 9 months in to the COVID-19 Pandemic, many of us still aren’t sure about the differences between these practices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clarify that social or physical distancing means staying at least 6 feet from other people who are not from your household. Social distancing is something everyone should do, along with other everyday preventive

Often times we think of the havoc our pets wreak on our holiday decorations. However, we also need to consider the health risks decking the halls can cause for our pets. We hear about poinsettias being poisonous, but mistletoe and holly are even more toxic for pets. They can cause gastrointestinal illness, as well as cardiovascular problems, according to the ASPCA. If you have a live tree, make sure your pet can’t access the water, as it is a breeding ground for bacteria. If you have a cat, don

A study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that individuals who engaged in a creative hobby had an increase in well being that continued into the next day, contributing to an overall upward spiral of increased well being and creativity. Another study found that playing team sports can contribute greatly to mental, as well as physical health. It’s clear that having hobbies is good for us, which is something to be thankful for. Anything that increases creativity, physical

Recent studies published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes , suggest that dog ownership is linked to a 21% reduction in the risk of death for people with heart disease. Those studies complement a body of literature linking dogs to good health, which is something all pet owners can be thankful for. While the studies focused specifically on the benefits of dog ownership which included physical activity from taking the dog outside and the oxytocin, or “cuddle hormone”

The Beatles famously sang “I get by with a little help from my friends.” And in doing so, they give the definition of social support, which is definitely something to be thankful for. Social support was first described by G.E. Moss in his 1973 publication Illness, Immunity, and Social Interaction. In the last four decades, the definition of social support has evolved. You could call it the exchange of resources with the intent to enhance well-being or just people helping people. Social support

In his 1963 Thanksgiving proclamation, President John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” Research shows that gratitude should be something we cultivate all year long rather than a quality we only celebrate on the fourth Thursday of November. To get into that habit, this month, “To Your Health” will focus each week on something to be thankful for. Two psychologists, Dr. Emmons and Dr.