231 East Alessandro Boulevard
Riverside, California 92508
Every family has at least one perfect dish featuring a secret ingredient or special cooking technique, and it’s these twists on tradition that make all the difference.
That’s why this holiday season, the McCormick brand is partnering with famed bakery Milk Bar and award-winning founder and CEO, Christina Tosi to inspire home cooks by sharing their best-kept baking secrets. Through their collaboration, they’re creating an exclusive, limited-time McCormick x Milk Bar Eggnog English Toffee Cookie available at select Milk Bar locations starting 11/28. A fresh take on timeless holiday flavor inspired by the comfort and creaminess of eggnog and the buttery crunch of English toffee, this golden cookie features hints of McCormick cinnamon and nutmeg and the rich flavor of vanilla extract, complemented with a layer of icing topped with English Toffee Finishing Sugar. Here, they’re sharing the recipe for fans to make at home:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Makes 18 cookies
Cookie Ingredients:
For the cookies, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment; set aside. Mix flour, pudding mix, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, baking soda and nutmeg in medium bowl; set aside.
Beat butter and sugars in large bowl with electric mixer on medium-high speed 2 to 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add egg, egg yolk and vanilla; beat 2 to 3 minutes longer or until well blended, scraping sides of bowl, as needed.
Gradually add flour mixture, beating on low speed just until dough comes together, up to 1 minute. Stir in English Toffee Finishing Sugar, mixing just until combined. Scoop dough in 1/3-cup portions onto prepared baking sheets, placing about 2 inches apart.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes until cookies have spread and edges are golden brown. Cool on pans 1 minute. Transfer to wire racks to cool at least 10 minutes.
For the icing, whisk confectioners’ sugar and milk in small bowl until smooth (add additional milk or confectioners’ sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach desired consistency). Spread icing on cooled cookies and sprinkle with additional English Toffee Finishing Sugar. Let stand 5 minutes to allow icing to set.
Recipe Hints: To spice things up, substitute 1 teaspoon McCormick Rum Extract and 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract in place of just vanilla. For a little extra crunch, substitute turbinado sugar or sugar in the raw in place of light brown sugar. No vanilla pudding mix? No problem! Add an additional 1/4 cup flour in place of the pudding mix.
More baking secrets and inspiration can be found by visiting www.mccormick.com/thecookieconfidential.
And as you prepare all the other festive treats of the season, remember that details matter. Be it flour, sugar or flavorings, don’t skimp on the good stuff, and don’t be afraid to give everything from desserts to cocktails and mocktails that unexpected edge with secret ingredients like brown butter and peppermint extract.
Recipe provided by StatePoint
As the holiday season rolls in, with its festive feasts, travel plans and cozy indulgences, it’s easy to let your health goals slip into the New Year’s resolutions pile. But while you’re managing your weight or trying the latest trending diets, there’s one vital part of your health that deserves extra attention this time of year: your muscles.
In today’s world of trending weight-loss hacks, shedding pounds has never seemed more accessible. But while the number on the scale may drop, there’s an important — and often overlooked — part of your health that might be taking a hit: your muscle mass.
From miracle diets to powerful GLP-1 weight loss injections, millions of people are embracing today’s science to achieve rapid weight loss — but many report significant muscle loss, too. In fact, studies show that up to 40% of weight loss can come from muscle, not fat.
And muscle loss isn’t just a fitness issue, it impacts your metabolism, energy levels, balance, and long-term ability to stay active and independent. During the holidays, when rich foods and busy schedules collide, supporting muscle health becomes especially important for staying strong, energized and resilient.
Whether you’re trying to maintain your weight through the season or jumpstart healthier habits, here are some smart ways to keep your muscle mass merry and bright:
Krill Oil: Protecting Muscle During Weight Loss
Did you know that krill oil naturally supports muscle function, enhances movement and protects joints? It also helps combat aging, oxidative stress and inflammation at the cellular level. Backed by science, krill oil offers a proactive way to maintain muscle health — key to aging well.
Recent research has shown that krill oil supplementation can help preserve muscle strength and fat-free mass during dieting, particularly when paired with strategies like alternate-day fasting. In overweight and obese adults, krill oil supported functional strength, reduced inflammation, and helped ensure that weight loss did not come at the expense of muscle mass, protecting metabolism and long-term health.
Unlike typical omega-3 sources, krill oil delivers a natural complex of phospholipids, omega-3s, choline and astaxanthin in their most bioavailable form — nutrients that work synergistically at the cellular level to support muscle, metabolism and overall wellness.
To learn more, visit https://www.superbakrill.com/blog/how-krill-oil-can-help-address-a-hidden-risk-in-weight-loss-muscle-loss.
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of health: keep your muscles strong, your metabolism humming, and your body ready to take on the new year.
Article by StatePoint
If you’re one of the 35 million people living with a chronic lung disease in the United States, the form of treatment you receive can impact your health outcomes and quality of life.
That’s why the American Lung Association has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the potential benefits of nebulized therapy, and aims to encourage conversations between health care providers and patients. Here they are providing answers to some frequently asked questions:
What are nebulizers? A nebulizer converts liquid medicine into a mist that you inhale to get medicine deep into the lungs. It can be used if you have a disease such as asthma, COPD or bronchiectasis.
What are the benefits of nebulizers? Nebulizers can deliver all classes of medication to treat all stages of chronic lung disease, including certain medications only available via nebulizer. Most insurance companies provide a nebulizer and the nebulized medication may be a more affordable option to treat your lung disease. Plus, they are easy to clean, maintain and use. Multiple studies show that people living with chronic lung disease fail to use their inhalers properly and therefore, are not getting the optimal dose of medicine to treat their disease. Like driving a car with a manual transmission, inhaler technique can be complicated to learn. For example, some inhalers require breathing out completely first, inhaling at the right pace, activating the inhaler at just the right time, and holding your breath for 5-10 seconds after each dose. A nebulizer however is more akin to driving a car with automatic transmission. When you use a nebulizer, the directions are simple – breathe normally. That’s why nebulizers can be an especially effective alternative for young children, older adults, those who struggle to use an inhaler and those who require a higher dose of medication to effectively manage their symptoms.
Can you rely on nebulizers while traveling and in emergencies? Fortunately, it is easy to travel with a nebulizer. While some nebulizers are stationary and plug into an outlet, newer, smaller and portable nebulizers can be plugged into an outlet, car adaptor or operated with a battery pack, making them handy not only during travel, but also in power outages and emergencies. When flying, check with the airline on how to properly pack your nebulizer, and if you’re traveling out of the country, make sure you have the appropriate adapter so your device will be compatible with power outlets at your destination. For a stationary device, it’s important to have a backup plan like a generator so that you can use your device if the power goes out.
What resources are available to learn more about nebulizers? The American Lung Association hosts numerous patient resources on its site, including videos on how to use and clean a nebulizer. New resources for healthcare providers, including a hub to access nebulized therapy videos and tools, are provided in partnership with Verona, Viatris and Theravance Biopharma. For more information and to access these resources, visit Lung.org/nebulizer.
At the end of the day, determining if a nebulizer is a good treatment option for you starts with a conversation between you and your healthcare provider. The most important thing is knowing how to properly take your medication – via nebulizer or inhaler – so that you get the best possible relief from your symptoms.
Article By StatePoint
(StatePoint) The holiday season is a joyous time to reconnect with family and friends, but it can also throw your wellness routines out of alignment. Doctors advise prioritizing healthy choices now so you can start 2026 feeling your best.
“Amid the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to lose sight of our well-being, overindulge in food and drink, and feel stressed. A little awareness and a few healthy habits can go a long way in helping you and loved ones enjoy the season in good health,” says Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, president of the American Medical Association (AMA).
“While you’re celebrating this holiday season and reconnecting with family and friends, remember to take care of your health. Eating well, staying active, and taking precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses can help you enjoy the season and start the new year strong,” says Dr. Mukkamala.
Story by: StatePoint
Did you know tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States? While some forms of tobacco may be marketed as less harmful than others, the truth is that there’s no safe tobacco product. Each one threatens your dental and overall health, including e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes (or vape pens) are used by around 8% of people in the United States and have been the most commonly used tobacco product among American youth for the last decade. Results of the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey show that almost 6% of middle and high school students use e-cigarettes and more than 1 in 4 youth e-cigarette users reported vaping daily. These are concerning statistics because e-cigarettes contain harmful substances like nicotine and cancer-causing chemicals that put the user’s health at risk. Youth who vape may also be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.
“There’s no ‘better for you’ cigarette out there in the marketplace. Whether you choose to vape or smoke, you still risk becoming addicted to nicotine, which can negatively impact your oral and overall health greatly over time,” said American Dental Association (ADA) dentist, Mirissa Price, D.M.D.
Vaping is breathing in the aerosol (or vapor mist) created by an e-cigarette. The aerosol is formed when the e-cigarette’s battery heats up the liquid (or e-juice) inside its special cartridge. The liquid in this cartridge often contains nicotine, along with flavorings and other chemicals that can be harmful when inhaled.
Nicotine is the highly addictive substance found in tobacco. It’s known to affect brain development related to memory, attention, and emotional regulation in children, teens and young adults, and can cause illness — and in severe cases, coma or death — if swallowed. Average nicotine strength in e-cigarettes has increased with vaping’s popularity, and research shows that it’s now double the amount of nicotine inhaled from a pack of cigarettes. Even cartridges claiming to be nicotine-free have been shown to contain some nicotine.
Other harmful substances that have been found in vape cartridges include chemicals known to cause cancer; heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead; and small particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. “The flavorings in e-juice are designed to attract youth and young adults, and they may also contain sugar, which contributes to tooth decay,” said Dr. Price. “Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, and increases the risk for infections, heart disease, and a weakened immune system.”
Vape pen batteries can heat the liquid to 400 degrees F in seconds. Cases of people being hurt by e-cigarettes exploding or causing fires inside their mouths have been covered in the news. Using a high heat setting can turn the aerosol more yellow, which could result in tooth discoloration, and make the aerosol stickier so that it remains on your teeth for a long time.
A study published in The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) found a correlation between people who vape and people with untreated cavities, but more research is needed to know if the cavities are caused by vaping.
If you already vape, quitting today will improve your health. Visit MouthHealthy.org/vaping for more information, along with helpful resources.
“Ask your dentist for suggestions and support too,” said Dr. Price. “Your dentist, who cares about your health, is there to offer guidance and motivation to help you stop using e-cigarettes.”
Article By: StatePoint
Across Kentucky, rail experiences take visitors on journeys through time and across diverse landscapes from horse country to Appalachia.
Whether you’re a lifelong train enthusiast or just looking for a unique way to explore, there’s plenty to discover in the Bluegrass State.
Enjoy dinner on My Old Kentucky Dinner Train in Bardstown featuring restored 1940s vintage dining cars that provide matchless views of Kentucky’s rolling hills, and multi-course meals, bourbon tastings and themed dinners.
Interested in some exercise? Pedal through the Kentucky countryside with Rail Explorers in Versailles. Here visitors pedal specially designed rail bikes for people of all ages and abilities as they coast along 10 miles of the most beautiful countryside in the world, passing scenic hills and thoroughbred horse pastures on the way to Young’s High Bridge, which offers views of the historic Wild Turkey Distillery and the Kentucky River.
There are plenty of reasons to visit the Historic Railpark and Train Museum in Bowling Green. Housed in the former Louisville & Nashville Depot, this fun and interactive attraction allows visitors to learn from real conductors, pullman porters and cooks who worked on the historic L&N rail line. After touring the museum, be sure to check out the RailPark’s five restored railcars.
Just north of Louisville on La Grange’s main street is one of the few remaining street-running train tracks in the country. The tracks pass by the original L&N Depot, which is now home to the La Grange Railroad Museum and Learning Center, with a large array of railroad exhibits, functioning model train layouts and a large outdoor rolling stock.
In the southcentral Kentucky town of Stearns, be sure to catch the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. This 16-mile journey on the Kentucky & Tennessee Railway gives a bird’s eye view of some beautiful Kentucky forests. Those who take the trip in the fall will be in for a treat, as they will be able to view the forest canopy as it transforms to an unforgettable palate of yellow, orange and brown.
The railway has many unique excursions throughout the year, including seasonal adventures like the Fall Color Run, Murder Mystery and The Polar Express Train Ride.
More rail heritage thrives in New Haven at the Kentucky Railway Museum. Located in a replica of the original L&N depot, the museum features an exhibit hall filled with artifacts, a large model train layout and memorabilia, and seven historic cars and outdoor displays.
Enjoy a 22-mile train ride along the Rolling Fork River Valley on journeys ranging from an hour to an entire afternoon. Themed experiences for everyone in the family include trips on train cars designed like the beloved children’s television character, Thomas the Tank Engine. For adults, enjoy a relaxed train ride with wine and cheese or test your knowledge during one of the “Trivia on the Rails” excursions.
Plan your own Kentucky train adventure by visiting www.kentuckytourism.com.
Whether seeking scenic views, local history or family fun, Kentucky’s train experiences offer something for everyone, with a chance to see the Bluegrass State from a new perspective.
Article By: StatePoint
‘Tis the season for not only celebrating the holidays, but also financial planning for the new year.
To create more awareness of how Experian can help diverse communities reach their financial goals, the company launched a campaign in Spanish to share their resources with Hispanic-Latino consumers. Not only a credit bureau, Experian aims to be your BFF – “Big Financial Friend” who you can lean on throughout your financial journey. Consumers will hear more about Experian on major Spanish-language television networks and can find more information, including Spanish-language educational articles and a credit e-book at Experian.com/gratis.
For many Hispanic-Latino consumers, improving their financial health is top of mind. A recent national survey from Experian finds that Hispanic-Latino consumers have set goals to save more (55%), create a personal budget (36%), pay off a credit card entirely (27%), and improve their credit score (26%) in 2026. And many of those surveyed are taking steps before the new year even begins with smart spending habits during the busy holiday shopping season.
“As the year wraps up, it’s a great time to check in on your finances and set the stage for a strong start to the new year,” says Christina Roman, consumer education and advocacy manager at Experian. “Set aside time to review your finances and make use of helpful tools and resources that can give you a greater sense of control so you can step into 2026 feeling empowered and ready.”
Review your budget and spending habits: The end of one year and the start of another is the perfect time to reflect on your financial habits and take small steps that can lead to lasting change. Take a look at your income, expenses, debts, and savings goals. Are there areas where you can cut back or redirect funds? A clear picture of your finances sets you up for smarter decisions now and in the new year.
Check your credit report and score: Your credit report is a snapshot of your financial health. Reviewing it regularly helps you understand your credit profile, and a good score could open up more financial opportunities.
Cut seasonal spending where you can: Holiday expenses can add up quickly. You can reduce costs by leveraging sales and coupons when shopping for gifts, reusing décor from previous seasons, going DIY on such tasks as gift wrapping, and driving instead of flying, if you’ll be traveling.
Go to trusted sources for help: Throughout your financial journey, get support from trusted resources. Experian offers online tools and tailored guidance, all of which are designed to help you take control of your financial future and start the new year off financially strong. Experian credit reports are available in Spanish. However, all other services associated with an Experian membership are available in English only. English fluency is required for full access to Experian’s products.
Throughout your financial journey, get support from trusted resources. Experian offers online tools and tailored guidance to help you take control of your financial future—by helping you budget or potentially save money and cut expenses.
A strong financial year ahead begins with small, intentional choices made today. Fortunately, there are tools that can help, so you’re never alone on your financial journey.
Article by StatePoint
Afterschool programs give children and youth a safe place to connect and learn after the school day ends, and research shows that programs boost students’ academic achievement and help them engage with their communities. They help children succeed in school and in life by providing homework help, mentors, healthy snacks and meals, exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and other skills, college and career prep, and more.
That’s why a million people are rallying for afterschool programs at 8,000 events across the country this fall for Lights On Afterschool 2025, an annual celebration of afterschool programming. In Alabama, students and families enjoyed a spooky science lab with hands-on experiments, eerie activities, and hair-raising fun. In California, families joined a Dia de los Muertos celebration to honor culture, community and afterschool programs with a book giveaway, food trucks, arts and crafts, and student performances. In Idaho, students picked apples for a local food bank at an orchard. In Massachusetts, middle and high school students helped younger children at a Read-a-Thon.
For the second year in a row, superstar USHER is serving as honorary chair of Lights On Afterschool. From Niagara Falls to Washington’s Frederick Douglass Bridge to Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, and elsewhere, buildings, bridges and other landmarks were lit up in yellow and blue in October to show support for afterschool programs.
“Afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and give working families peace of mind that their children are supervised and learning after the school day ends,” said Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, the nonprofit that organizes Lights On Afterschool. “But three in four kids whose parents want afterschool programs for them are being left behind because their families cannot afford or access programs.”
A 2025 study commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance found that the parents of 29.6 million children, more than half the school-age kids in the country, want afterschool programs for their children – but less than 7 million are currently enrolled. Ninety-five percent of parents with children in after-school programs are satisfied with the program their child attends.
Yet despite the high unmet need, Lights On Afterschool this year comes amid Trump administration cuts to federal educational spending and proposals to end federal support for afterschool.
To learn more about afterschool programs and Lights On Afterschool, visit afterschoolalliance.org.
“We need more funding from government at all levels, businesses and philanthropy to make afterschool programs available to all,” Grant added. “Every child deserves access to a quality afterschool program.”
Article by StatePoint
The bladder cancer treatment landscape is rapidly evolving, particularly for patients who don’t respond to bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), the most common intravesical immunotherapy for early-stage bladder cancer.
However, as options expand, clinicians face added complexity in individualizing treatment paths, and in knowing what’s working. Fortunately, during evaluation and follow-up, they can lean on various enhanced diagnostic technologies, including approaches such as Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC), to support timely adjustments in treatment.
Bladder-sparing therapies are offering new treatment avenues, potentially delaying or avoiding cystectomy for some patients. These therapies are aimed at managing the cancer while preventing the need to remove the bladder. Therapies include liquid treatments put directly into the bladder, such as immunotherapy and chemotherapy, biologic agents and gene-based therapies, and devices that support or optimize drug delivery to the bladder lining. Often considered after BCG fails or in patients for whom cystectomy may not be the best choice, most regimens include a series of treatments over time, along with regular cystoscopic evaluations.
Multidisciplinary teams, which could include urologists, medical oncologists, pathologists and oncology nurses, may be involved in planning and monitoring a patient’s treatment. Treatment sequencing typically involves starting with one therapy, then switching therapies if clear evidence suggests a limited response to the treatment. The medical team will assess tumor characteristics, prior treatments, and factors such as the patient’s logistics and goals, to determine the best next step. Ultimately, eligibility for bladder-sparing approaches varies based on the disease profile and available clinical evidence.
Evaluating treatment response in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) often relies on cystoscopic findings that may be subtle or difficult to interpret. BLC however, is an enhanced visualization technique that uses an optical imaging agent and a combination of white and blue light to highlight abnormal bladder tissue, supporting clinicians in assessing the bladder lining and providing insight into treatment effectiveness.
Although this diagnostic method does not treat or prevent disease, it does offer numerous benefits. It can define the borders of lesions during transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBTs) and support visualization during routine surveillance cystoscopies. And because it can be used to evaluate whether BCG or subsequent therapies are achieving their intended responses, it can enable doctors to quickly decide whether they should continue treatment as-is, make adjustments, or move to other therapies. Additionally, BLC helps document baseline disease features prior to starting therapy, may improve visual assessment of tissue changes over time, and aids in guiding tissue sampling, ensuring all visible tumors are identified and removed during procedures like TURBT.
With enhanced visualization, patients and their care teams can have more informed discussions about results and next steps.
Patients seeking productive discussions with their healthcare team can start by asking the following questions:
Information about locations that offer BLC can be found by visiting https://rebrand.ly/BLClocations.
Bladder-sparing strategies are creating more personalized options for patients, and enhanced diagnostic tools are helping lead the way. Patients should never hesitate to ask their team how they use diagnostic tools to guide care, and what their options look like based on their specific case.
Sponsored by Photocure, Inc. Story by StatePoint
(Family Features) Don’t let cooking for a crowd add undue stress to summer fun. Barbecues are meant to bring joy, excitement and delicious foods to the table – without leaving hosts frantically flipping meat on the grill.
To help make your next cookout a success without the sweat, chef Trimell Hawkins and Current – on a mission to break down barriers to outdoor cooking with electric technology that’s smarter, cleaner and more sustainable – offer these tips and tricks for hosting (and feeding) large groups.
Think In Themes
Giving your menu a theme, like street food, helps set the tone for the party. Portable, flavorful and easy to prep in bulk, street foods such as tacos are perfect for large gatherings. Hawkins’ signature move is combining mini street foods – think tacos, gyros or bao – with skewers to create “bundle skewers.” These Bundle Skewer Street Tacos are an ideal example of a playful, practical solution for portioning and presentation.
Portion Planning
Assume about two tacos per guest when other dishes are served alongside. This taco recipe yields around 50 tacos at 3 ounces each or closer to 80 if sized down to 2 ounces, making it a practical way to serve buffet-style meals with multiple offerings.
Temperature and Texture
Diversify your table with hot, cold and room-temperature options. Fruit and cheese plates, veggie platters and salads are “set and forget” staples that free up time while satisfying guests.
Master Make-Ahead Dishes
Success starts a day in advance by preparing marinades, salads, grilled veggies and sides. The more you prep early, the more you can enjoy the party.
Trust in Technology
If the thought of grilling for a crowd keeps you up at night, skip the messy charcoal and turn to the Current Model G Dual Zone Electric Grill. It allows hosts to grill promptly and eliminates the need for pauses to refuel or adjust flames. With sensing technology that precisely monitors and controls temperature at the grate level, it ensures accurate cooking – hosts can even monitor progress from afar and enjoy the party thanks to its app and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Plus, its patented cooking system and dual-zone flexibility are crucial for preparing large batches of food or simultaneously accommodating varied cooking preferences – like medium-rare versus medium-well steak – so hosts can confidently grill at different temperatures at the same time. Reduced flareups and no open flames or briquettes improve safety, comfort and cleanliness, all welcome benefits when managing large events. After grilling, simply wipe down surfaces rather than handling ashes or residue.
Offer Inclusive Options
Hawkins recommends including universally friendly dishes like hummus with veggies, fruit salads, grilled vegetables with chimichurri and gluten-free proteins like wings or tacos on corn tortillas to make sure there’s something for everyone.
Be Present
Design your menu with the goal of enjoying your event – not dreading it. One of Trimell’s favorite tricks is hot-holding proteins like chicken in stock and butter, which enhances flavor while reducing stress. The result: A more relaxed host and better opportunities to enjoy time with guests.
To find more summer hosting tips and recipes that can feed a crowd, visit CurrentBackyard.com.
Bundle Skewer Street Tacos
Recipe courtesy of chef Trimell Hawkins on behalf of Current
Combine garlic, onion, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, coriander, lime juice and vegetable oil. Coat meat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours.
Preheat grill to 400°F. Thread small bundles (about 3 ounces each) onto skewers. Aim for three per skewer to streamline portioning.
Grill chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. For steak, grill to desired doneness.
Transfer bundles to small taco shells and serve with salsa, lettuce and tomatoes, as desired.
(Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) When I took on the role of leading Medicare, one of my primary goals was to crush the chronic fraud, waste, and abuse in the program. Ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and that Medicare resources remain available for those who depend on them is a top priority.
People with Medicare are at the very heart of this effort. Scammers are after your Medicare number to submit false claims for services that were never provided, or for services that are not needed. These fraudulent actions do more than just drain government funds. They can also compromise your personal medical records, potentially affecting the care you need.
Medicare fraud costs American taxpayers billions of dollars every year. By staying vigilant and protecting your Medicare information, you can help stop fraud before it starts.
Fraudsters posing as salespeople are targeting older Americans, attempting to enroll them in hospice care without their knowledge or consent. They often go door to door, offering so-called “free” services like cooking, cleaning, medical equipment, or even protein shakes. This is all as a cover to get you to sign paperwork. Don’t do it. Your health care decisions should always be made between you and your doctor, not a salesperson.
Protecting your Medicare isn’t just about saving money, it’s also about safeguarding your health and the integrity of a system we all depend on. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and together we’ll stop these criminals in their tracks. With your help, we can crush Medicare fraud.
To learn more, visit Medicare.gov/fraud. To report potential fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
(Family Features) Most people don’t want to think about death – let alone talk about it. When the time comes, families often find themselves overwhelmed, not only by grief but by the many decisions that need to be made quickly.
Funeral directors witness this every day. They see the stress and confusion that can come when there is no plan in place and the peace of mind that comes with thoughtful preparation.
After consulting funeral directors nationwide, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) uncovered five things they wish families knew before a death occurs.
Simply documenting your wishes and discussing your preferences with your family can alleviate the difficult decisions your loved ones will have to make in the future. Speak with a funeral director to explore the many options for planning a meaningful funeral.
To avoid complications, consider adding a trusted loved one to your bank account and ensure life insurance beneficiaries are up to date. Too often, deceased individuals leave minor children, deceased spouses or former partners as beneficiaries, leading to legal and financial challenges.
Exploring these possibilities with a funeral professional can help ensure your final arrangements reflect your values, traditions and personal wishes.
Choosing the right funeral director is an important decision and finding someone who understands your needs can make all the difference in honoring your loved one in a personal and meaningful way.
Start the conversation today by talking about end-of-life planning. It isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most important conversations you can have with your loved ones. A little planning today can make a world of difference tomorrow.
Use comprehensive resources like RememberingALife.com, which is designed to guide families through every stage of the journey, including planning, funeral options and grief resources. The site offers valuable tools and support, such as the “Find a Funeral Home” tool to connect families with compassionate, local funeral directors and much more.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death
(Family Features) While medical advances have helped people live longer with cardiovascular diseases, many of the risk factors that lead to these diseases continue to grow.
Fueled by ongoing increases in high blood pressure, obesity and other major risk factors, heart disease continues to kill more people in the U.S. than any other cause, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update. In fact, cardiovascular diseases including heart disease and stroke claim more lives than all forms of cancer and accidental deaths – the No. 2 and No. 3 causes of death – combined.
According to the update, nearly 47% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, more than 72% are at an unhealthy weight, nearly 42% are obese and more than half have Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
The annual report published in “Circulation,” the peer-reviewed, flagship journal of the American Heart Association, shows the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors are projected to worsen over the coming decades.
“Although we have made a lot of progress against cardiovascular disease in the past few decades, there is a lot more work that remains to be done,”
said Dhruv S. Kazi, M.D., M.Sc., M.S., FAHA, head of health economics and associated director of the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. “If recent trends continue, hypertension and obesity will each affect more than 180 million U.S. adults by 2050, whereas the prevalence of diabetes will climb to more than 80 million. Over the same time period, we expect to see a 300% increase in health care costs related to cardiovascular disease.”
The prevalence of these risk factors – obesity in particular – is growing among young people globally. As many as 40% of U.S. children have an unhealthy weight with 20% having obesity. Nearly 60% of adults globally have an unhealthy weight.
Long considered one of the leading preventable causes of death in the U.S. and worldwide, tobacco use is also trending down. Smoking rates have steadily declined among both adults and youth since the U.S. Surgeon General’s first report on the dangers of smoking from 51% of men and 34% of women in 1965 to 15.6% and 12%, respectively, in 2018.
To find the full report and more advice for healthy living, visit heart.org.
Reducing the Impact of Isolation in Rural Areas
(Family Features) Throughout history, humans’ ability to rely on one another has been crucial to survival. Despite modern developments that help individuals live with minimal human engagement, the human need to connect remains.
However, in many parts of America, a trend toward isolation is emerging. Over the past two decades, people are spending more time alone and less time engaging with others in person, according to data from the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. One segment of Americans at particular risk of social isolation, loneliness and their negative impacts are select populations who live in rural areas.
“There is an urgent need to take action and improve mental health in rural America,” said Jeff Winton, dairy farmer and founder and chairman of Rural Minds, a nonprofit mental health advocacy organization that partnered with Pfizer to raise awareness about the physical and mental risks of social isolation.
“Challenges to mental health can be inherent in a rural lifestyle, including a belief in self-reliance as a virtue, fear of judgment and difficulty getting an appointment with a limited number of mental health professionals, among others.”
Many Americans are increasingly spending more time alone according to the American Time Use Survey. They are increasingly more likely to take meetings, shop, eat and enjoy entertainment at home, making it easier for them to stay within their own four walls and avoid social interactions.
Authentic human connection is a basic but often unacknowledged necessity for health, “as essential to survival as food, water and shelter,” according to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Health Effects of Social Connection and Community.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one-third of U.S. adults reported feeling lonely and about one-fourth said they don’t have social and emotional support (the basis of social isolation).
The concepts of social isolation and loneliness can go hand-in-hand, but the two are actually quite different.
Social isolation is defined by an absence of relationships or contact with others. Someone experiencing loneliness may or may not have social connections, but lacks feelings of closeness, support or belonging. Despite the distinction, both can have a negative impact on a person’s mental and even physical health.
Several factors can influence a person’s risk for social isolation and loneliness.
“Social connection is a dynamic that changes over time,” said Nikki Shaffer, senior director, occupational health and wellness, Pfizer. “Transient feelings of loneliness or solitude may be beneficial because they can serve as motivation to reconnect. However, chronic loneliness (even if someone is not isolated) and isolation (even if someone is not lonely) can represent significant health concerns.”
Compared to people who live in urban areas, many rural Americans experience higher rates of depression and suicide but are less likely to access mental health care services, according to the “Health Disparities in Rural America: Current Challenges and Future Solutions” study published in “Clinical Advisor.” What’s more, CDC data shows suicide rates among people living in rural areas can be 64-68% higher than those in large urban areas.
Rural areas have 20% fewer primary care providers compared to urban areas, according to a report in JAMA, and the Health Resources and Services Administration reports more than 25 million rural Americans, more than half of rural residents, live in mental health professional shortage areas.
Among rural counties, 65% lack a psychiatrist. Nearly 30% of rural Americans don’t have internet access in their homes, which complicates the option for telehealth. These figures from Rural Minds exemplify the challenges facing rural America.
“Some people in rural communities still don’t understand or accept that mental illness is a disease,” said Winton, who grew up on a rural farm. “Rather, a mental illness can often be viewed as a personal weakness or character flaw. A lot of the stigma around mental illness results in unwarranted shame, which adds to the burden for someone already suffering from mental illness.”
Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling; it harms both individual and societal health. In fact, loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk for premature death by 26% and 29%, respectively.
Lacking social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day or drinking six alcoholic drinks daily.
In addition, poor or insufficient social connection is associated with increased risk of disease, including a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.
Social isolation is also associated with increased risk for anxiety, depression and dementia. Additionally, a lack of social connection may increase susceptibility to viruses and respiratory illness.
Learn more about the impact of social isolation, especially on residents of rural areas, and the steps you can take to reduce isolation and loneliness by visiting ruralminds.org.
Take a proactive approach to combating social isolation and loneliness with these everyday actions that can promote stronger social ties.
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