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.

Earlier this year, New York City teen Zen Micheline Hung started volunteering at a pet shelter with her parents. A lifelong pianist, Hung was inspired to play music for the shelter pets after observing how her own dogs reacted to her playing at home. After getting approval from shelter staff, she brought her keyboard and started performing mini concerts for the cats and dogs. She plays calming, low melodies and even adjusts the music to match the animals’ personalities and behavior.

In an interview with PEOPLE, Hung said, “It is so rewarding to do something useful, especially if it is something you believe in. Contributing time and effort on a volunteer basis without any pay is not without reward. The reward is a strong feeling of personal satisfaction and seeing the good that comes from that effort.”

Scientists at the University of Oxford have secured funding from Cancer Research UK to create the world’s first vaccine designed to prevent ovarian cancer. Their research will focus on identifying which proteins on the surface of early-stage ovarian cancer cells are most effectively recognized by the immune system, as well as testing how well the vaccine targets and destroys organoids—mini-models of ovarian cancer.

If their research proves successful, the next step will be to initiate clinical trials. The ultimate goal is to offer women a vaccine that could help prevent ovarian cancer before it occurs. It is estimated that over 239,000 women worldwide are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, with approximately 140,000 losing their lives to the disease.

Do you panic or feel anxious when you’re away from your phone or can’t get a signal? You might be experiencing nomophobia, short for "no-mobile-phone phobia." While it’s not classified as an official anxiety disorder, health experts say it shares similarities with other psychological conditions related to specific fears. For instance, someone with nomophobia might worry about missing important news or events if they’re not constantly checking their phone. They may feel uneasy at the thought of not being able to contact others immediately, or imagine stressful scenarios where they didn’t have their phone. Physical symptoms like an increased heart rate, sweating, headaches, or trembling can also occur, similar to other anxiety-related conditions.

Researchers suggest that teens and young adults are more at risk of developing nomophobia, though adults can experience it as well. Earlier this year, a study presented at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting revealed that over 99 percent of global healthcare providers met some criteria for nomophobia.

Some of the most exciting athletes at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are teens, many making their first appearance on the international stage. Among this year’s youngest competitors are Iona Winnifrith (age 13, Para swimming), Bly Twomey (age 14, Para table tennis), Isaiah Benjamin (age 15, Para track and field), Jordan White (age 15, Para archery), and Victor dos Santos Almeida (age 16, Para swimming).

The Paralympics, which began as a small competition between British World War II veterans in 1948, are now the second biggest sporting event in the world. The Games not only promote diversity and inclusivity, but also highlight the determination, hard work, and amazing achievements of athletes with various physical, visual, and intellectual impairments. Nineteen-year-old Ezra Frech, who recently won his first gold in the men’s 100-meter sprint, says, “I try to use my platform to be an example for people with disabilities. I want to not only normalize disability but show what is possible with disabilities. I want them all to know that sport is possible for them.”

A new study from the U.S. National Sleep Foundation reports that one in six teen drivers reported having driven drowsy. Based on these findings, the study authors estimate that more than 400,000 American teens drive drowsy at least once per week. The majority of study participants said their work or school schedules prevented them from getting adequate sleep. The teen drivers with jobs were more than twice as likely to have driven drowsy than teens without jobs.

“Driving drowsy” means driving while feeling very tired or sleepy. When a driver is sleep-deprived, their attention and focus diminish, and they become more easily distracted. They may even experience microsleeps, brief moments of dozing off that last a few seconds. This reduced alertness slows the driver’s reaction time, making it harder to avoid hazards on the road. Not getting enough sleep is also associated with poorer decision-making, which can increase risky behavior while driving.