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You may have gotten your 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 Dr. Marian Betz, an expert in healthy aging at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus. “They tend to…

COVID-19 vaccines are a key tool in fighting the pandemic. They slow the spread of the virus. They’ve also been shown to reduce COVID-19 deaths. A study estimated how many deaths were prevented because of the vaccines. Researchers collected data on state vaccination rates and COVID-19 deaths. They used the data to create a statistical model. Based on the model, COVID-19 vaccines saved nearly 140,…

Find in-depth stories covering NIH’s cutting-edge biomedical research. Learn about the current state of research for many fields and where they may be heading., NIH Research in Context, comes out quarterly. Read the latest story on early-life nutrition.

From an early age, we learn that nutritious foods and physical activity can help us stay healthy. Growing evidence now suggests that social connections may also be key to good health. Socially connected people tend to live longer. They’re at lower risk for serious health problems. Social bonds are also linked to our mental health, eating habits, and much more. Despite the links between our social…, Social Bonds,  , Many factors can contribute to a person feeling lonely. These include the quality of your personal relationships, your community, and society in general. Your personal health, life stage, and personality can also have an impact. People who are socially isolated or feel lonely are more likely to have heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, or anxiety. They’re also at increased…, [qtip:inflammation|Heat, swelling, and redness caused by the body’s protective response to injury or infection.], , which can have effects on cardiovascular health.” Long-lasting inflammation has also been linked to cancer and other health problems. And our ability to biologically respond to stressors weakens with age. Necka notes that there’s a difference between social isolation and loneliness, but the two are related. Social isolation means you have few connections or contacts with others. Loneliness has…, W, ho’s at Risk?, Everyone feels lonely now and then. But certain factors can raise the likelihood of persistent loneliness or social isolation. These include living alone, having trouble walking or moving, or having problems with vision or hearing. Other risk factors include financial struggles and mental health issues. Living in a rural, unsafe, or hard to reach neighborhood also raises your risk. So do major…, Coupling Up,  , “Marital status, or intimate relationships, are also an important feature of our social networks,” says Dr. David Sbarra, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Arizona. Married people tend to live longer and have other health benefits compared to the unmarried. But the quality of the relationship, whether supportive or fraught, can have an impact. “In a high-quality relationship,…, New Connections, “If you’re feeling lonely or socially disconnected, it can feel intimidating to try to form new connections,” Necka says. “High-quality connections are best. But even brief interactions can make a difference. It can be a first step.” For example, you might go to the grocery store at the same time every week and see the same clerk. You can smile and strike up a brief conversation. Or you notice…

Strong, healthy relationships are important throughout your life. Your social ties with family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and others impact your mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. “We can’t underestimate the power of a relationship in helping to promote well-being,” says NIH psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Valerie Maholmes. Studies have found that having a…, What Is Healthy?, Every relationship exists on a spectrum from healthy to unhealthy to abusive. One sign of a healthy relationship is feeling good about yourself around your partner, family member, or friend. You feel safe talking about how you feel. You listen to each other. You feel valued, and you trust each other. “It’s important for people to recognize and be aware of any time where there is a situation in…, Social Ties Protect, Studies have shown that certain factors seem to protect people from forming unhealthy relationships over their lifetime. The protection starts early in life. NIH-supported research has shown that the quality of an infant’s emotional bond with a parent can have long-lasting positive or negative effects on the ability to develop healthy relationships. “The early bond has implications that go well…, Helping and Getting Help, At any age, your relationships matter. Having healthy relationships with others starts with liking yourself. Learn what makes you happy. Treat yourself well. Know that you deserve to be treated well by others. Having an unhealthy or abusive relationship can really hurt. The connection may be good some of the time. You may love and need the person who hurts you. After being abused, you may feel…

Obesity affects about 1 out of every 5 kids. Carrying too much body fat can affect almost every system in your body. It can contribute to many long-term health problems. These include heart disease, diabetes, and mental health issues. “Prevention and detection of childhood obesity is important because the longer you have it, the more at risk you are of developing related complications,” explains…, Starting Early, Researchers are studying interventions for childhood obesity as early as preconception and pregnancy, Osganian says. Studies have found that a mother’s weight, diet, and physical activity during pregnancy can affect a child’s risk of obesity. Scientists are trying to unravel how diet and exercise during pregnancy influence an infant’s weight, body fat, and [qtip:, metabolism, |Chemical changes in the body that create the energy and substances you need to grow, move, and stay healthy.]. Infants who have a high birth weight or gain weight too fast have an increased risk for childhood obesity. NIH research has also shown a link between obesity and a lack of sleep that begins as early as infancy. An NIH-funded program called INSIGHT tested ways to address these early risk…, Growing Healthy Habits, Obesity comes from taking in more energy, or calories, than your body uses. So it’s important for kids to choose both healthy foods and appropriate portion sizes. Getting enough physical activity helps their bodies use more of the calories they take in. “Parents can help prevent childhood obesity by focusing on their child’s diet, activity, and sleep within the home through the teenage years,”…, Getting Healthy Together, Diet and physical activity are both key for obesity treatment. Epstein’s work has shown that treating the whole family can have added benefits. His group has developed family-based behavioral interventions. These target both parent and child for healthy eating and more physical activity. They also include guidance for parents on modeling healthy behaviors and positive parenting tools. “The…

Your kidneys function as your body’s filters. These two organs clear out toxins and compounds that would otherwise build up in your blood. This keeps the rest of your body running smoothly. Your kidneys filter around 150 quarts of blood each day. This blood is circulated around your entire body. “So when the kidneys aren’t working well, every cell and every organ in the body can be affected,”…, Detecting Kidney Dysfunction, The most common causes of CKD are diabetes, high blood pressure, and [qtip:cardiovascular disease|Related to the heart and the vessels that circulate blood through the body.]. These health conditions can damage the kidneys over time. Treating them as early as possible can reduce your risk of related kidney problems. Genetics and a family history of kidney diseases can also raise your risk for…, Dietary Changes, One important thing that people with CKD can do to stay healthy longer is make certain changes to their diet. “Dietary changes are a fundamental aspect of managing chronic kidney disease,” says Dr. Meryl Waldman, who studies nutrition and kidney health at NIH. Avoiding foods and drinks high in certain nutrients may prevent or delay some health problems for people with CKD. These include foods…, Getting Treatment, Other lifestyle changes, like getting more exercise and sleep, reducing stress, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco also help your body and organs work better together, Waldman adds. Medications are a vital part of managing CKD, too. Some drugs to help manage CKD treat the underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. “But in the last 10 years, there have been remarkable advances…

Outbreaks of a contagious “stomach bug” called norovirus can spread quickly. It often crops up in cruise ships, nursing homes, and other crowded places. People of any age can become infected with a norovirus. But the very old and young children are more likely to become very sick. Noroviruses can affect your stomach and intestines. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain.…

More than 1 out of 3 older adults in the U.S. have chronic low back pain. Pain is considered chronic when it lasts more than three months. Some find relief with pain medications or physical therapy. But others need more options. A new study looked at how much acupuncture might help older adults with chronic back pain. Acupuncture uses thin metal needles to stimulate specific points on the body.…

Many Americans don’t get enough exercise. A lack of physical activity can increase the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. A new study suggests that your neighborhood’s design can affect how many steps you get in a day. Walking provides many health benefits. But some neighborhoods aren’t as easy to get around on foot. They may lack sidewalks, parks, or nearby…