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You probably already know that your genes can affect your health. So can the choices you make, such as getting enough exercise and eating healthy food. But did you know that where you live can affect your health, too? NIH-funded researchers are looking at how the environment around us, from how many trees we can see to how far we have to travel to get fresh food, influences our health., Green Spaces, Studies show that green spaces, such as parks or woods, seem to affect your health for the better. Dr. Francine Laden, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, analyzed data from a huge national study to look at how green space affected people’s lives. She found that those who lived near green spaces were less likely to die over an 8-year period. No one knows exactly…, Getting Active, Your neighborhood can also affect how easy it is for you to exercise. People in urban and suburban areas can often walk to a coffee shop, school, or work. People in rural areas are more likely to have to drive to these places. “The human body is meant to move. The body works a lot better when people are moving more,” says Dr. Ross Brownson, a public health expert at Washington University in St.…, Eating Healthy, In some neighborhoods, it’s not easy to get healthy food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture calls low-income communities without full-service supermarkets “food deserts.” Food deserts can occur in both urban and rural areas. Food deserts not only lack grocery stores. They are likely to have stores selling cheap snacks that aren’t very nutritious. People with chronic health conditions often get…, Creating Change, Changing your neighborhood can be tough. It may mean getting together with neighbors and talking to local officials about making more walking paths, sidewalks, and bike lanes. You might reach out to local institutions, such as churches and schools, with land that could be used. You might talk to convenience store owners about offering more healthy foods. “It doesn’t all have to be tackled at the…

You’ve probably felt it. After a meal, a burning sensation rises through your chest, or up to your throat. This feeling can come from reflux: when acid and food rise up from the stomach into the esophagus, which is the tube that connects your stomach to your throat. Occasional reflux is normal. Most people may not even feel it. Sometimes it’s mild, with occasional heartburn after large meals.…

A new study found that, for healthy older adults, taking a low-dose aspirin each day didn’t extend life or prevent a first heart attack or stroke. Heart diseases and stroke are the leading causes of death and disability in older adults in the U.S. These are often caused by blood clots that form in the blood vessels to the heart or the brain. For people who’ve had a heart attack or stroke, aspirin…

Do you take care of an elderly parent or other older adult? If so, remember that a healthy mouth can help them enjoy food, chew better, eat well, and avoid pain and tooth loss. Plaque puts a healthy mouth at risk. It can collect on teeth that aren’t brushed well. The buildup can cause bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Some older adults need to be reminded to brush and floss teeth. Others…

A change in season can brighten your days with vibrant new colors. But blooming flowers and falling leaves can usher in more than beautiful backdrops. Airborne substances that irritate your nose can blow in with the weather. When sneezing, itchy eyes, or a runny nose suddenly appears, allergies may be to blame. Allergies arise when the body’s [qtip:immune system|The body’s defense against germs…

What’s the eating style that’s best for health? Is it a Mediterranean eating plan? Vegetarian? Low carb? With all the eating styles out there, it’s hard to know which one to follow. Healthy eating is one of the best ways to prevent or delay health problems. Eating well, along with getting enough physical activity, can help you lower your risk of health problems like heart disease, diabetes,…, Limit Added Sugars, Added sugar is the extra sugar added to foods and drinks during preparation. Corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, brown sugar, and honey are examples of sweeteners added to foods and drinks, especially regular sodas. “The sugars present normally in milk and fruit are not considered added sugar,” explains Dr. Kimber Stanhope, a nutrition researcher at the University of California, Davis. Stanhope…, Consider Your Fats, Fat is high in calories and can increase your chances of developing obesity, heart disease, and other health problems. But there are different kinds of fats. Fats that are liquid at room temperature, or oils, are considered to be healthier than those that are solid. Solid fats are found in high amounts in beef, chicken, pork, cheese, butter, and whole milk. Solid fats have more saturated fats…, Check Labels for Salt,  The Nutrition Facts label also shows salt, or sodium. Experts advise you to limit salt, which tends to be very high in processed foods. If you eat salty, highly processed food, you can quickly go over the daily limit of one teaspoon of salt (2,300 milligrams of sodium). Two hot dogs might have 900 milligrams of sodium. A can of ravioli might have 1400 milligrams. Other examples of salty, highly…, Make a Meal Plan, “Figuring out what to eat is less than half the battle,” Nicastro says. “Sticking to your plan is a bigger challenge. So that’s why it helps to be really prepared and plan ahead.” You’re much more likely to stick to your meal plan if you have healthy food that is ready to go. Some people find it helpful to prepare meals for the week in advance so that healthy food is within reach. The DASH eating…, Get Expert Advice, The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are designed to help people avoid developing obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. But everyone is different. You may have needs and risks that aren’t like the average American. Talk to your health care provider about your unique nutritional needs. “A great resource for someone to help you with your diet is a registered dietitian nutritionist, or RDN,”…

Did you know that babies should sleep on their back rather than their belly? Research has revealed many risk factors for sudden infant death, and sleep position is the most important one. Each year in the U.S., about 3,500 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly in their sleep. In about half of these deaths, doctors can’t find a medical reason to explain why, even after a complete review. When the…

Swelling in the body can happen for many reasons. Summer heat can cause your arms or legs to swell if you’ve been sitting or standing for a while. Body parts can also swell from overuse or an injury. But sometimes, swelling is a sign of an underlying medical condition. More than half your body is made of water. Much of it flows around in your bloodstream. Water also makes up a lesser-known fluid…

Antioxidants are a type of compound found in vegetables and fruits. They help protect your cells from a certain type of damage. Eating lots of produce can help lower your risk of heart disease and other health problems. A new study found that certain antioxidants in these foods may also reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, harms…

Hepatitis has been in the news a lot lately. New cases have been showing up in children around the world. Doctors aren’t sure why. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is the body’s protective response to injury or infection. What causes hepatitis isn’t always known. Viruses are the most common culprit. There are five known viruses that cause the condition: hepatitis A, B, C, D,…