Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, taking more lives than cancer and accidents combined. According to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, key risk factors such as high blood pressure and obesity are increasing at alarming rates. Even though medical advances are helping people live longer with heart conditions, the rising number of these risk factors highlights the urgent need for better ways to prevent and manage heart disease. You can take action now to keep your heart healthy by eating nutritious foods, staying active, and avoiding smoking or vaping, which can help lower your risk of heart disease in the future.

The wildfires burning across California are devastating, with thousands of people and animals losing their homes and communities. Even if you want to stay informed, seeing the destruction on the news or hearing about those affected can take a toll on your mental health. It’s natural to feel sad, angry, or helpless during such tragic events.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, prioritize taking care of yourself. Talk to someone you trust, write in a journal, or take breaks from social media to stay grounded. When you feel ready, there are ways to help others, like donating to trusted organizations or participating in community drives. Even small acts of kindness, like checking in on a friend, can make a big difference—for them and for you.

Alcohol is the third most common preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., after tobacco use and obesity, according to a new report from the Surgeon General’s office. Drinking even small amounts of alcohol is known to increase the risk of at least seven types of cancer, including breast cancer, liver cancer, and cancers of the mouth, throat, and colon. It doesn’t matter what kind of alcohol is consumed—the risk is the same and grows higher with more drinking. As part of an effort to help people understand the link between alcohol consumption and cancer, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is pushing for updated health warning labels on alcoholic beverages, similar to the ones found on cigarette packages.

Wearing a puffy coat while driving might seem like a good idea when it’s cold, but it can actually be unsafe. The bulky material keeps your seat belt from fitting properly against your body, which can make it less effective in protecting you during an accident. To stay safe and warm, try wearing layers of loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing in the car and add a hat, gloves, and a scarf. It’s also a good idea to keep a stash of cold-weather essentials in your car, like extra food and water, a flashlight, and blankets, to be prepared for emergencies.

TikTok is taking steps to protect users’ mental health by restricting access to certain beauty filters for users under 18. Experts warn that these types of filters can damage self-esteem and lead to body image issues by promoting unrealistic or even impossible beauty standards. Many people think platforms like TikTok and Instagram should prioritize users’ mental health, and hope this move inspires other platforms to make similar changes to create healthier and more positive online spaces.

The end of the year can be a tough time, with feelings of sadness or anxiety becoming more intense. While stress from school and the holidays may play a part, the colder, darker days of winter can also affect your mood. Whether you’re dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or just feeling down, there are some things you can do to feel better. Staying active is important—even something as simple as a quick walk can give you an energy and mood boost. Try to get outside during the daylight hours to soak up some natural light, which can help, too. Keeping a steady sleep schedule, making time for things you enjoy, and spending time with people you care about can make a big difference as well.

If you need someone to talk to, friends and family are one option. There are also many free, anonymous, and confidential helplines that provide support. You can find more ways to get help on our Hotlines page.

Research presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America found that vaping can harm blood vessel health and lower oxygen levels in the blood. Researchers discovered that people who vape have worse endothelial function, which is important for healthy blood flow, and lower oxygen levels compared to those who don’t vape. This suggests that vaping might be more dangerous for the heart and blood vessels than many people think. Scientists believe these findings suggest that regular vaping could increase the risk of vascular disease later in life. They also emphasize the need for more research on vaping’s long-term health effects.

Recent studies have raised concerns about the effects of eating too many ultra-processed foods (UPFs), especially for teens. Research from Italy, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that a high intake of UPFs, like pre-packaged snacks, sugary drinks, fast food, and certain cereals, may speed up your body’s internal aging process. This means that your organs, tissues, and body systems could potentially be biologically older than your actual chronological age. Additionally, UPF packaging often includes plastic materials, which could expose consumers to additional toxic substances. Health officials say these findings highlight the importance of making healthier food choices when you’re young to protect your long-term health.

A recent study published in the BMJ Global Health Journal warns that unsafe music listening habits could put the hearing of over 1 billion teens and young adults at risk. Researchers found that many young people listen to their devices at volumes that could damage their hearing, while others are exposed to harmful noise levels at concerts, clubs, and theaters. This combination of risky practices can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus, a constant ringing in the ears.

Without changing their listening habits, people may face permanent hearing damage. Reducing the volume on your devices and wearing ear protection at loud events are two simple steps you can take to help protect your hearing now and in the future.

In Longmont, Colorado, middle and high school students are talking about what it’s like to have dyslexia. These student volunteers, known as YES Ambassadors (Youth Examples of Self-Advocacy), share their personal experiences and offer practical advice on how their peers with dyslexia can work with teachers, explain their needs, and ask for support. The YES group also hosts community events to give adults and educators a glimpse into life with dyslexia, and show students that learning disabilities don’t have to hold them back from exploring new opportunities.

It’s estimated that one in five students has a language-based learning disability, and groups like YES are empowering students to feel more comfortable asking for help. Lizzie Horton, a Silver Creek High School senior, joined YES in sixth grade because she didn’t want other students to struggle the way she did. “It’s not an easy thing, especially at a young age, to accept that this is a learning disability you have,” she told the Longmont Times-Call. “I can show them that it will be okay. It may not feel like it now, but I promise it will be okay.”

According to a recent CDC report, teen smoking and the use of other tobacco products in the U.S. have dropped to the lowest levels seen in 25 years. The report highlights a 20 percent decrease in tobacco use among middle and high school students from 2023 to 2024. This includes traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and hookahs. The number of youth using at least one tobacco product fell from 2.8 million to 2.25 million, marking a significant decline. Health officials suggest that public health initiatives, educational campaigns, and stricter enforcement against retailers and manufacturers selling products to young people likely played a role in this downward trend.