Filter Your Water. Filtering your water is important because you can’t necessarily taste or see contaminated water. The Environmental Working Group recommends the following to obtain cleaner drinking water: research your local water supply for possible contaminants; look for a filter that can remove the contaminants in your water supply and fits your budget; and…

Weight Loss Lowers Risk of Uterine Cancer. A review of data concerning more than 35,000 American women between the age of 50 and 79 found that weight gain/loss after age 50 can affect a woman’s risk for developing endometrial cancer. Researchers report that older women who lost 5% of their body weight reduced their uterine…

In-Car Breathalyzers Prevent Drunk-Driving Deaths. After examining trends in alcohol-related fatal car accidents from 1982 to 2013, researchers estimate ignition interlock laws have prevented about 1,250 deaths. Study leader Dr. Emma McGinty notes, “Our study suggests that [ignition interlocks] are effective, and it’s encouraging to see more and more states moving towards this evidence-based policy…

How to Avoid Feeling Tired. If you’re not getting enough sleep and feel groggy when you wake up, you don’t need to turn to caffeine to stay awake. The National Sleep Foundation recommends the following to feel more alert: avoid alcohol before bed; set a sleep schedule, waking and going to sleep at the same…

Staying Trim Can Help Grades. Researchers followed 281 university students for two academic years and found a correlation between maintaining a healthy body weight and better academic performance. Preventive Medicine Reports, December 2016

Sleep Soundly When Traveling. It can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep while traveling due noise, activity, or a bright room. To improve your sleep while traveling, the National Sleep Foundation recommends: using an eye mask to help block out light, bringing a travel-sized pillow and your own blanket; using a pair of…

Keep Your Skin Looking Healthy. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following to protect your skin as you age: wear sunscreen when you’re outside; don’t smoke; inspect your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer; determine your skin type, such as oily or dry, and use products formulated for that type; use warm water…

Setting Age Limits for Tanning Bed Use Could Save Thousands of Lives. Restricting individuals younger than 18 from using indoor tanning beds could prevent thousands of skin cancers and deaths in the United States. According to the report, this restriction could prevent nearly 62,000 melanoma cases and more than 6,700 melanoma deaths over the lifetime…

Reduce the Risk of Hip Fracture. Hip fractures are serious injuries, especially among seniors who are at greater risk of falls. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers the following recommendations to reduce your risk: keep your home free of clutter, and make sure it is well lit; install grab bars in bathrooms; exercise regularly…

Smoking to Be Banned in Public Housing. United States government officials have announced that smoking will be banned in public housing residences starting in 2017. The new rule is expected to protect more than two million public housing residents, including 760,000 children, and save $153 million a year in healthcare costs, repairs, and preventable fires.…