A hot weather plan is essential to staying healthy

Here’s a new fact about spring, summer, fall, and sometimes even winter, now that climate change has blurred seasonal boundaries: sizzling heat may be on the way, or currently blanketing your community. High temperatures stress the body, leading to thousands of heat-related illnesses and deaths every year in the US. Creating a personal heat plan […]

Ringworm: What to know and do

The first thing to know about ringworm is that there are no worms involved. This generally harmless skin infection is caused by a fungus. The fungus causes a raised rash usually shaped like a ring, almost as if a worm was curled up under the skin (but again: no worms are involved). The medical name […]

Cutting and self-harm: Why it happens and what to do

The notion that hurting yourself can make you feel better seems like a contradiction. But that’s exactly what drives skin cutting and similar forms of self-harm among adolescents, says Matthew Nock, chair of the department of psychology at Harvard University. If you’re a parent, you may have heard about cutting or be wondering about red […]

Rating the drugs in drug ads

I admit it: I’m not a fan of drug ads. I think the information provided is often confusing and rarely well-balanced. Plus, there are just so many ads. They show up on TV and streaming programs, on social media, on billboards and the sides of busses, on tote bags, and in public bathrooms. Yes, there’s […]

Wildfires: How to cope when smoke affects air quality and health

As wildfires become more frequent due to climate change and drier conditions, more of us and more of our communities are at risk for harm. Here is information to help you prepare and protect yourself and your family. How does wildfire smoke affect air quality? Wildfire smoke contributes greatly to poor air quality. Just like […]

Mud runs: Dirty, challenging, next-level fun

Remember childhood summers when you climbed monkey bars, swung from ropes, and jumped over streams? Rain just added to the fun, leaving you soaked and muddy. You can relive those adventures by signing up for a mud run. These outdoor team events focus on navigating through military-inspired obstacle courses and getting good and dirty in […]

Play helps children practice key skills and build their strengths

In this increasingly digital world, it’s not surprising that children are spending more and more of their time on some sort of device. And while there is certainly much to be learned, explored, and created using devices, there are skills that devices can’t always teach — and that children need to learn. Play bolsters executive […]