Organ donation: gift of a second chance at life (BPT) - While organ transplantation is a remarkable story in the history of medicine, the need for organs is vastly greater than the number available for transplantation. Any way you figure it, the math doesn’t add up to a promising picture. In 2012, there were more than 115,000 people in the U.S. awaiting an organ tra...
Three home improvement tips to help you breathe easier (BPT) - One in five Americans suffer from allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). As the 2013 allergy season begins, experts warn that it may be one of the worst in recent years, with people experiencing an unusually strong reaction due to increased tree pollen. But little attention...
Simple steps to a healthier heart (BPT) - For millions of Americans, the battle against heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions goes on year round. About 600,000 people die from heart disease in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , making heart disease the leading cause of death for both m...
Flip-flop fans: Hard, cold facts about your favorite hot weather footwear (BPT) - It’s easy to understand why we all love flip-flops: They’re cute and comfy, keep your feet cool in warm weather, and are great for showing off that fab pedicure you just got. But no matter how much you adore your flip-flops, they shouldn’t be all-occasion footwear. Sometimes, they can lead to sore feet or even s...
Five super nutrients that help you age well (BPT) - Parents often use the adage “You are what you eat!” to encourage children to make healthy food choices, but the saying is equally true for mature adults. Providing your body with a variety of nutrients lets you feel your best, and may even prevent disease and help you live longer. Allison Tannis is a nutritioni...
Programming your child's health - 5 nutrition tips for baby's future health (BPT) - What if you could program the future of your child’s health as simply as you program your alarm clock? Push a button, choose a selected wake-up time, click and you’re done. It’s not quite that simple, but studies show that what a woman eats just before and during pregnancy will impact the health of her child for...
Smarter snacking for spring and summer (BPT) - The air turns mild and warm, people gladly shed winter coats, and the days grow longer – everything about spring is lighter and brighter. Since the warmer months bring about many occasions to enjoy the best of backyard cookouts and boardwalk fare, the season’s more indulgently delicious offerings may cause us to...
Putting together the pieces to manage childhood asthma [Infographic] Childhood asthma is a serious and costly chronic disease that affects one out of every 11 children. National Asthma Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to put our heads together to come up with good ideas to help children and their families better manage the disease. It’s time to start managing asthma where children live, learn and play. That’s why the Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc. created this infographic to highlight the critical role that schools, families, healthcare providers...
Get glowing with simple tips for summer skincare (BPT) - Sunshine and fresh air make us fall in love with summer every year. It’s a time to explore the outdoors and enjoy fashions like tank tops, flip-flops and sun dresses. How can you get beautiful summer-ready skin while keeping it protected from the sun’s hot rays? Get healthy, radiant skin that you’ll be proud to show off with these skin care tips and tricks for warm weather months: Toss your old sunscreen Long days playing in the sun are a part of what makes summer such a special s...
A year-end report card on school cafeterias: Did they make the grade for improved nutrition? (BPT) - The 2012-2013 school year brought a new curriculum to school cafeterias across the United States. For most of the country’s 17,000 school districts, it was an accelerated class, requiring the complete revision of school menus, from ingredients to food pairings to recipes, to meet the new USDA nutrition guideline...
Five reasons Asian Americans should get tested for hepatitis B (BPT) - More than 1 million Americans have a lifelong, or chronic, infection of hepatitis B. This includes one out of every 12 Asian Americans. If you or your parents were born in Asia or the Pacific Islands, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you get tested for hepatitis B. Hepatitis ...
How safe is your home? [Infographic] How safe is your home? The 2013 ADT Safety Data Index, a recent survey commissioned by ADT, found that America’s knowledge of national safety and security facts and information is alarmingly low. When quizzed on a series of national security and safety questions, those polled scored 1.6 out of 5. And while Americans may believe their home is a safe place, they may not be taking the proper precautionary measures to safeguard their homes and belongings. With the surging real estate market an...
