Teens of any age who drink alcohol with their parents’ permission drink more as young adults, new research shows

Children and teenagers of any age who sip or taste alcohol with their parents’ permission are more likely to engage in risky drinking in young adulthood. That was the finding…

Cutting HIV aid means undercutting US foreign and economic interests − Nigeria shows the human costs

A little over two decades ago, addressing Nigeria’s HIV crisis topped U.S. President George W. Bush’s priorities. Africa’s most populous nation had 3.5 million HIV cases, and the disease threatened…

Why we fall for fake health information – and how it spreads faster than facts

In today’s digital world, people routinely turn to the internet for health or medical information. In addition to actively searching online, they often come across health-related information on social media…

Touch can comfort and heal, but also harm − a psychologist explains why gestures don’t always land as intended

A hug from a friend. A squeeze of the hand. A steady arm around your shoulders. Many of us are taught to think of touch as comforting – an instinctive…

US safety net helps protect children from abuse and neglect, and some of those programs are threatened by proposed budget cuts

President Donald Trump and Republicans in the House of Representatives have put forward budget proposals that would slash spending by hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade on…

Why do cuts to Medicaid matter for Americans over 65? 2 experts on aging explain why lives are at stake

Republicans in Congress intend to cut about US$880 billion in federal health care spending. One of their primary targets is Medicaid. That government program covers 82 million Americans with health…

Calorie counts on menus and food labels may not help consumers choose healthier foods, new research shows

Knowing the calorie content of foods does not help people understand which foods are healthier, according to a study I recently co-authored in the Journal of Retailing. When study participants…

Nitrous oxide recreational use is linked to brain damage and sudden death − but ‘laughing gas’ is still sold all over the US

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning Americans about the ever-increasing and potentially deadly recreational use of nitrous oxide products, particularly among young people. Marketed with names like “Galaxy…

When doctors don’t believe their patients’ pain – experts explain the all-too-common experience of medical gaslighting

For people with chronic gynecological pain conditions, pain can be constant, making everyday activities like sitting, riding a bicycle and even wearing underwear extremely uncomfortable. For many of these people…

‘Grit’ and relentless perseverance can take a toll on brain health − particularly for people facing social stresses like racism

For many people, grit – the perseverance and passion for long-term goals – is a virtue. It is also a key ingredient in overcoming challenges, achieving success and maintaining resilience.…