(StatePoint) Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, infects people of all ages, however, it can be dangerous for babies and some young children. As many as 80,000 children under 5 in the United States are hospitalized each year due to the disease.

(StatePoint) A large, powerful body of evidence demonstrates improvements in grades, school attendance and behavior among children who participate in afterschool programs. Researchers have also found that students in afterschool programs are more engaged in school and excited about learning, and they develop work and life skills such as problem solving, teamwork and communications.

(StatePoint) There are over 16 million people in the United States living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and an estimated millions more living with the disease undiagnosed. COPD is a progressive, chronic lung disease that limits air flow, and results in 925,000 emergency room visits and 335,000 hospitalizations each year.

(StatePoint) Cindy has always been active. As a physical education teacher, and later an elementary school principal, she built her career around helping others lead healthy, fulfilling lives. But behind that active lifestyle, she was on a decades-long search for answers about her respiratory health.

(StatePoint) Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious illness caused by bacteria called pneumococcus. The illness can disrupt a person’s life for weeks, and when severe, can result in hospitalization. In fact, an estimated 225,000 adults are hospitalized with pneumococcal pneumonia each year in the United States.

(StatePoint) A chronic cough isn’t just a nuisance, it can adversely impact quality of life. Chronic coughing can cause lack of sleep, increased anxiety and depression, impaired work productivity and social stigma. Defined as a cough lasting eight weeks or longer, chronic cough impacts an estimated 5% of people in the United States.

(StatePoint) The smartphone has become the remote control for modern financial life. Americans use it to check balances, pay friends, tap at checkout, manage bills, shop online, store cards, access accounts and increasingly carry digital versions of personal information that once lived in a wallet or filing cabinet.

(StatePoint) Biological drug products (biologics) — which can be made of sugars, proteins, living cells, tissues, or a combination of these — are providing new options for patients with conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, chronic bowel diseases, macular degeneration, and multiple sclerosis, among others. In many cases, these therapies are helping shift treatment from acute care to long-term disease management. Doctors and evidence suggest that certain cancers are increasingly being managed as chronic conditions thanks to innovative biologics. But there is a catch: These drugs can be notoriously expensive, with or without insurance.

(StatePoint) Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition in which the walls of airways widen and are thickened from inflammation and infection. Seeing a lung specialist and getting guidelines-based care can help prevent further lung damage and slow disease progression.

(StatePoint) Expanded Access Programs (EAPs) – sometimes referred to as “compassionate use” – can be a possible path to treatment for some people living with a serious or life-threatening illness.

(StatePoint) Each fall, the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, is an opportunity for people eligible for Medicare to choose the health plan that will work best for them in the coming year.

(StatePoint) October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a reminder that staying safe online starts with understanding how cybercriminals operate. One of the most common scam tactics is social engineering, which uses manipulation to gain access to information, accounts or money.

(StatePoint) Most homeowners feel reasonably ready for storms this time of year. In a new national survey, the T-Rex Tape Storm Readiness Report, more than half (63%) confidently rate their home’s preparedness for storms a 7 out of 10 or higher. While Americans are close to storm-ready, the research suggests the real test comes after severe weather strikes.

(StatePoint) Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that can infect people of all ages. While most people develop mild symptoms, for some, including older adults, it can develop into severe illness.

(StatePoint) Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles, impacting indoor air quality well beyond active fire zones. While you can’t control the air outside, you can create a cleaner indoor environment by taking these steps:

(StatePoint) Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious condition that causes abnormally high pressure in the blood vessels between the lungs and the heart. In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), a rare and progressive form of PH, the tiny arteries in the lungs become thickened and narrowed, making it harder for the heart to pump blood.

Tiffany and her husband were building a life raising their daughter and special-needs son in Arizona when they called in to “The Ramsey Show,” where Dave Ramsey and his team give personal finance advice. Tiffany’s husband had a generous life insurance policy through his employer, so it seemed like they were covered. But were they? Tiffany began to question that after a family member got cancer and had to quit their job—which meant their life insurance policy disappeared.

(StatePoint) As you age, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll eventually develop high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. In fact, according to one study, about 60% of people get hypertension by the time they reach age 60.

(StatePoint) Receiving a bladder cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, and it’s natural to have questions and concerns.

(StatePoint) Healthcare is expensive. Families feel it every time they pay an insurance premium, pick up a prescription, open a medical bill, or put off care because of worries about the cost.

(StatePoint) A healthy school year starts before the first day of class. The American Medical Association (AMA) is sharing six tips to help families prepare children for a healthy return to the classroom.

(StatePoint) Asthma is a lifelong, chronic lung disease. However, for the 27.8 million people impacted in the United States, proper disease management can help them lead active lives.