Latest Articles

NIH supports thousands of studies on new treatments for common diseases.
December 19, 2024

Of mice and medicine: Our favorite NIH research highlights from 2024

1. Could a new molecule prevent blood clots without increasing the risk of bleeding? Blood clots can form when substances in the blood clump together. If...

NIH Highlights, NIH Research
Shingles is a painful rash on the skin that comes from the same virus that causes chickenpox.
December 05, 2024

What’s the most effective way to prevent shingles? Getting vaccinated

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful, often debilitating rash that affects roughly 1 million people each year. Fortunately, the current shingles vaccine, known...

Shingles, Immunization
Kristin Nannetti is the Palliative Care Coordinator for VHC Health in Virginia.
December 03, 2024

What is palliative care? We asked a professional

People with serious or terminal illnesses have to make difficult choices. It can be hard to understand all the information they get from their doctors....

Palliative Care, Caregivers
Osteoporosis can develop if your bone mass decreases or the structure of your bones changes, making the bones weaker and more likely to break.
November 21, 2024

Osteoporosis: What you need to know

Did you know that our bones are living tissue? To keep them strong, our bodies break down old bone and replace them with new bone....

Osteoporosis
Women between ages 50 and 69 who get mammograms have a lower chance of dying from breast cancer than women who do not get them.
November 19, 2024

My mammogram was ‘abnormal’—what do I do next?

First, thank yourself for getting a mammogram! Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women in the United States, and a...

Breast Cancer
Rebecca Rose Vassy (right) with her partner Sean (left).
November 07, 2024

‘Nothing important went unsaid’

Over the course of their relationship, Rebecca Rose Vassy supported her long-term partner Sean in managing multiple chronic health conditions. Then a cascade of medical...

Caregivers
Many caregivers struggle to take time for themselves.
November 05, 2024

Caring for yourself while caring for others

Are you helping a loved one with daily tasks, medical care, or emotional support? If so, you’re a caregiver…and you’re not alone. According to the...

Caregivers
Making an advance care plan is valuable for people at any age but especially for older adults or those facing a terminal illness.
November 01, 2024

Advance care plan: A checklist for the future

Do you and your loved ones have an advance care plan? An advance care plan spells out decisions you'd like to make if you...

Caregivers
End-of-life care can be medical and physical, but it can also look like emotional or spiritual support.
November 01, 2024

End-of-life care: What to expect and how to plan

When older adults and people with terminal illnesses are dying, they may need a lot of care. This care can last from days to months,...

Caregivers, Healthy Aging
Steve Guttenberg said caring for his father brought his family closer together.
October 29, 2024

‘Look for joy and happiness in little things’

Steve Guttenberg has made audiences laugh and smile with his starring roles in hit comedies such as Police Academy and Three Men and a Baby....

Caregivers
Aging in place is possible with the right support.
October 24, 2024

Home sweet home: Supporting a loved one aging in place

Many older adults prefer to stay in their own homes as they age. This is called “aging in place.” Here are some things to...

Caregivers, Healthy Aging, Older Adult Health
Video calls can help you stay connected with family, friends, and medical providers.
October 24, 2024

Helping from miles away: Strategies for long-distance caregiving

Millions of people act as long-distance caregivers, supporting loved ones who are aging or coping with an illness or disability. This role can include managing...

Caregivers
As someone’s caregiver, learn as much as possible about their medical condition so you can best help them.
October 22, 2024

Caregiving 101: Worksheets, resources, and suggestions from the National Institute on Aging

Being a caregiver or care partner is a big undertaking. Caregivers don’t just manage someone else’s health care, daily tasks, financial decisions, and other logistics....

Caregivers, Healthy Aging
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, 2 mg of fentanyl (which can fit on the tip of a pencil) can be enough to kill the average American.
October 08, 2024

Fentanyl 101

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic (lab-made) opioid. Prescription fentanyl is FDA -approved to treat severe pain related to surgery or complex pain conditions. Over the...

Substance Use Disorder, Opioids