(StatePoint) December through March is typically peak influenza (flu) season, though this season is off to an earlier start, with high activity currently across the country. While common, flu is a potentially serious and highly contagious respiratory illness.

(StatePoint) Preparing your home for cold weather can lower your energy bills; promote a more comfortable, healthier environment; and even help banish winter blues. Here’s what to know:

(StatePoint) With the New Year right around the corner, new survey results suggest that 2023 will finally be the year that Americans bring their health back into focus.

(StatePoint) The new year is often a time to set new goals. However, statistics show that very few people are successful in keeping their resolutions. Why? Likely, because they don’t have a realistic, long-term plan. And, as Ben Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

(StatePoint) Both in the United States and globally, childhood and adult vaccination rates have seen what community health experts are calling a “concerning decline” since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now is the time to ensure that you and your children are up to date on all recommended vaccines to best protect you and your family from preventable diseases.

(StatePoint) While you may want to tone your abs, glutes and triceps in the new year, there’s one often-overlooked area of the body that deserves your attention too: your feet!

(StatePoint) The New Year represents a fresh start and is the perfect time to invest in your health. However, you may be unsure what resolutions will have the biggest impact. Doctors say that the easy, tangible actions you take are some of the most important.

(StatePoint) While the holiday season is full of fun, festivities and meaningful time spent with family and friends, it’s often accompanied by work and school deadlines, tedious to-do lists and shopping stress. Here are a few reasons to step up your self-care routine during this busy period so you can usher in the new year, happily and healthily:

(StatePoint) Now that cooler weather is here, homeowners are advised to evaluate their furnace to see if it needs to be serviced or replaced. By planning ahead, you can potentially save money on heating bills or dodge a breakdown in the middle of a cold snap.

(StatePoint) The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of people’s lives and, as it turns out, it also impacted their feelings about financial security and life insurance. In a national survey commissioned by Erie Insurance:

(StatePoint) With seasonal stressors like end-of-year work deadlines, gift shopping and hosting potentially weighing on you, plus all those extra sweets and indulgent foods to nibble on, the holiday season may be the happiest time of year, but it’s not always the healthiest. Here’s how to take better care of yourself to feel your best this holiday season.

(StatePoint) During the long dark nights of fall and winter, concerns about personal safety may increase. Whether commuting for work or class, getting in an evening run or walking the dog, you likely need to carry out daily activities long after the sun goes down.

(StatePoint) The holidays are right around the corner, and experts are already seeing a rise in respiratory illnesses like influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In addition, COVID-19 continues to be a serious health threat in the United States.

(StatePoint) There are 2.5 million children in the United States growing up in “grandfamilies,” meaning they’re being raised by relatives or close friends without their parents in the home, and they face higher rates of hunger and food insecurity, according to a new report.

(StatePoint) According to a new survey, American nurses are overwhelmed by job demands, a long-brewing situation only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the majority of nurses continue to be dedicated to the care of patients, many are considering leaving the profession at a time when staff shortages are part of the problem. But there’s hope, according to industry experts, who say that understanding these challenges can lead to meaningful and necessary reforms.

(StatePoint) The first few years of life are fundamental to cognitive, emotional and physical development. While every child progresses at their own pace, there are many toys and activities you can introduce to encourage growth. Here are a few ideas to consider:

(Statepoint) Scams and fraud are more deceiving these days, reaching you in more ways than ever before. The FTC reported 2.8 million fraud reports from consumers in 2021 alone, with reported fraud losses increasing 70% from 2020 and more than $5.8 million.

(StatePoint) Medical professionals, patients and their families are increasingly seeing the value of home care, and the industry is expected to grow. In fact, home health and personal care aide job openings are projected to grow 33% from 2020 to 2030, with experts predicting an estimated 8.2 million job openings in home-based care by 2028. Industry experts say that workers from all backgrounds, not just nursing, will be needed now and in the future.

(StatePoint) Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an extremely contagious bacterial infection that can lead to severe, sometimes life-threatening health problems, such as exacerbation of chronic medical conditions -- including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

(StatePoint) Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death in U.S. adults aged 65 or older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The economic impact of falls is immense, with fatal falls estimated to cost $754 million and nonfatal falls $50 billion annually. As the aging population enters long-term care facilities, fall prevention will become an increasingly important public health priority. The good news is a novel approach has recently come to light.

(StatePoint) Diabetes can impact the body in a number of ways, especially creating potentially serious complications for your feet.

(StatePoint) As America’s drug overdose and death epidemic continues to impact communities of every size in every corner of the country, new challenges have emerged.

(StatePoint) In the last two years, the global plastic pollution crisis has gotten worse, with more plastic being produced and an even smaller percentage of it being recycled, according to a new report.

(StatePoint) At a time when the ongoing fight against climate change has never been more critical, and new federal efforts are being made to address systemic environmental justice issues, automotive industry insiders say that a recent engineering breakthrough could usher in an era of cleaner, more sustainable trucking.

(StatePoint) Whether you’re visiting your in-laws or taking a tropical vacation over the holidays, you’ll likely be leaving your house and the majority of your belongings unattended while you’re gone. Recent research suggests that if you’re like many Americans, you may not be doing enough to protect your assets when you hit the road.

(StatePoint) As people return to their fall routines, economic concerns are top of mind, and many are finding themselves spending more time worrying about the health of their things than the health of themselves.

(StatePoint) Open enrollment season is upon us. Whether you’re choosing benefits for the first time, adding coverage for a new family member or facing a passive enrollment, it’s likely your benefits decisions will look a little different this year.

(StatePoint) Youth sports are an important part of a child’s social and emotional development and fuel a healthy and active lifestyle. However, sports can result in injuries that may leave players sidelined. As parents, it’s important to be prepared before an injury happens—and that includes being informed about opioid risks.

(StatePoint) Starting in early 2020, every child in the United States became eligible for school meals at no cost, regardless of family income level -- no forms, no questions asked. That policy, along with other interventions, including increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, Children Program benefits, kept millions of children and families from going hungry during the pandemic. But support for school meals ended this September, putting healthy school meals increasingly out of reach for children who rely on them for nearly half their daily calories and a consistent source of good nutrition.

(StatePoint) If it feels like the holiday season is getting longer and more reliant on technology every year, you’re not imagining it.

(StatePoint) Being new at anything can be intimidating. What’s great about hiking is that it’s free and open to all, no matter where you live or your level of experience. You also don’t need much gear or education to get started.

(StatePoint) Long COVID can affect anyone who’s had COVID-19, even those who’ve had mild illness or no symptoms initially. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults who have had COVID-19 experience new or lingering symptoms that last three or more months after first contracting the virus. Physical therapists can play an essential role in managing symptoms of long COVID.

(Statepoint) When working from home and attending school virtually became part of everyday life during the COVID-19 pandemic, it taught us how vital home broadband internet is.

(StatePoint) Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is so common that nearly 100% of children have been infected by age 2. Most people, including infants, develop only mild cold-like symptoms. However for some, RSV can be severe and even life threatening. Many people are surprised to learn that RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants.

(StatePoint) Fatal car crashes are on the rise, causing over 35,000 deaths each year nationwide. In many cases, driver behavior and/or driver error contributes to the crash. Can self-driving cars save lives? Experts say the answer is yes, but point out that automated vehicle technology will need to evolve from where it is today.

(StatePoint) If you hate the idea of bugs in your home, you’re in fine company -- 1 in 3 Americans have seriously considered burning down their own home after experiencing a bug infestation, according to a new survey.

(StatePoint) If you dream of homeownership, having your mortgage application denied can be devastating. If this does happen to you, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Thirteen percent of all purchase mortgage applications -- a total of nearly 650,000 -- were denied in 2020, according to federal government data.

(StatePoint) There’s no better time than right now to prep yourself and your family for the unexpected. Don’t wait until torrential rain and high winds beat on your windows or wildfire flames glow on the horizon. In those moments, your only thought will be getting your family to safety.

(StatePoint) As fall sports heat up for kids, so do 5Ks, marathons and golf tournaments for adults, leading to ankle sprains for athletes of all ages.

(StatePoint) The kickoff to football season is here again, and with it comes pizza, beer, wings and more.

(StatePoint) With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, supply chain problems stemming from the global pandemic, and the world struggling under escalating inflation and a rapidly changing climate, the global hunger crisis has reached new levels.

(StatePoint) Health experts say that establishing and maintaining family traditions can boost overall well-being and vitality, especially as we age.

(StatePoint) Similar to how the ways we listen to music and watch movies have changed, cellular networks are evolving too. In fact, all major wireless providers plan to shutter their 3G cellular networks this year.

(StatePoint) Sticking to a daily routine offers endless social, emotional and physical developmental benefits for preschoolers. Here’s how to make your schedule stick:

(StatePoint) Very common in adults and on the rise in children, heel pain continues to be the number one reason patients seek care from foot and ankle surgeons. While experts say there are many reasons for heel pain, including bursitis, Achilles tendonitis, bone bruises, fractures, growth spurts and nerve pain, the most common cause is plantar fasciitis, a condition that one in 10 people will suffer from in their lifetime.

(StatePoint) It can be scary when a loved one is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD affects more than 15 million Americans and is responsible for one death every 4 minutes nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, experts say that with a solid understanding of the disease, you’ll be equipped to help your loved one control symptoms and breathe better.

(StatePoint) Gardening is not only a means for beautifying outdoor spaces and growing delicious foods. According to those who spend significant time in the yard, getting outside can also support your wellbeing.