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… to experience setbacks when you’re trying to make healthy changes and reach a goal,” says NIH behavior change expert Dr. Susan Czajkowski. “The good news is that decades of research show that change is possible, and there are proven strategies … up for success.” Lots of things you do impact your health and quality of life, now and in the future. You can reduce your risk for the most common, costly, and preventable health …

… twice a week. But only about 20% of Americans meet these physical activity goals. The good news is that any physical activity is better than none. And getting active has both immediate and … actions that people of all ages can take to improve their health,” explains Dr. Kong Chen, an NIH expert who studies how the body uses energy. For older adults, physical activity can lower … diabetes from pregnancy. It also helps lessen symptoms of depression after giving birth. In short, being physically active is recommended for nearly everyone. … How to Move More … …

… driver’s license the day you turned 16. By the time you retire, you could have driven daily for more than half a century. But for some people, there comes a time in the aging process when driving becomes dangerous. “On the whole, older drivers are safe,” says … things done without leaving the house have also boomed recently. Grocery delivery, telehealth visits, and online social hours can reduce the need to drive every day. Online options can’t—and …

… picture cars idling or power plants with smoke stacks. But air pollution can also occur inside—in homes, offices, or even schools. Whether outdoors or indoors, the effects of air pollution are most obvious for those who already have difficulty breathing. “All people are likely susceptible to the … explains Dr. Nadia Hansel, who studies lung problems at Johns Hopkins University. NIH researchers are working to understand and reduce the impact that air pollution—both outdoors …

… does not mean that you’re giving up on treatment,” says Dr. Alexis Bakos, an aging expert at NIH. “Ideally, palliative care should be offered at the very beginning of a diagnosis of any … include chronic heart and lung diseases, cancer, … [qtip:neurodegenerative diseases|Diseases in which nerve cells stop working or die.]  … like dementia and Parkinson’s, and many others. A … teens with serious illnesses. Checking IN helps doctors learn about youths’ needs before their visit. … Gaining a Better Understanding … Planning for a serious illness can be complicated. …

… Drug abuse can be a painful experience—for the person who has the problem, and for family and friends who may feel helpless in the face of the disease. But there are things you can do if you know or suspect that someone … are changing, or that they are trying to deal with stress,” says Dr. Bethany Deeds, an NIH expert on drug abuse prevention. Parents may need to pay more attention to their children …

… people just keystrokes away. This helps some feel like they have more social support. But for others, it can increase isolation and depression. Researchers are investigating how social … helpful and harmful effects. … Use Your Time Wisely … Logging into social media can lead you in many directions. Actively engaging and connecting with others online can help build your … online. … Seek Out Help … Social media can be a tool to improve your mental health. You can search for health information, hear about others’ experiences, or find treatment options. “We …

… Kids have a lot to learn in their first five years of life. They learn to walk, talk, and eventually to start reading. But … taught how to read. Children who struggle with the building blocks of reading may be at risk for developing dyslexia. Dyslexia is a reading disorder in which people find it hard to link … or vision problems, that may underlie reading problems. An evaluation for dyslexia may involve visits to specialists such as speech-language pathologists, psychologists, or a reading or …

… People with this disease have an abnormal type of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells. Normally, red blood cells are flexible and shaped like a disc. But the … supply to any organ in the body,” explains Dr. Swee Lay Thein, a blood disorder expert at NIH. Most people with sickle cell disease used to die before reaching adulthood. But with modern … box for tips). If you’re interested in joining a clinical trial, call 1-800-411-1222 or visit www.clinicaltrials.gov . …

… Everyone has pain or discomfort in their gut occasionally. Maybe you ate something that didn’t agree with you. Or you had an infection that made you sick to your stomach for a few days. But if pain and other gut symptoms go on for weeks or longer, something more … may get these drugs first now, he explains. … Looking for Better Treatments … Researchers are searching for new ways to prevent and manage gut disorders. Lembo, for example, is testing …