General
What Is Disease X — and Why Are Scientists Preparing for It? Since the COVID-19 pandemic, one question has lingered in the background of global health conversations: What comes next? That concern has a name. Disease X. Disease X isn’t a specific illness. Instead, it’s a placeholder for a future infectious disease that could cause a global outbreak, similar to or worse than COVID-19. While no one knows exactly what Disease X will be, scientists are preparing now to reduce its potential impact. Disease X is a term introduced in 2017 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to describe a currently unknown pathogen with the potential to cause a serious international epidemic or pandemic. It was added to the WHO’s priority disease list to acknowledge a reality scientists already understood: The next major outbreak may come from a virus or bacterium we haven’t identified yet. What Is Disease X? Disease X appears on the same high-priority list as well-known threats like: COVID-19 Ebola Lassa fever Zika Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever The difference? Disease X hasn’t emerged yet. Why Does Disease X Worry Us? The fear surrounding Disease X isn’t just about the unknown. It’s that modern life could allow a new disease to spread faster and farther than ever before. Taken together, these factors explain why experts see Disease X as a serious global threat: 1
Aging
6 Unique Careers in the Field of Aging Whether you’re embarking on a career change, considering graduate school or interested in expanding your professional horizons, get ready to explore six unique careers in the field of aging. #1 Gerontechnology Specialist As the name suggests, a gerontechnology specialist uses technology to improve the lives of older adults. They bridge the widening gap between today’s ever-advancing gadgets and the often not-so-tech-savvy elderly, helping them to learn to use different kinds of equipment that can increase their independence and overall well-being. Some of the technologies they utilize with their clients include: Telehealth platforms that make remote checkups more efficient. Elderly-friendly smart home devices, such as smart locks, refrigerators and stoves that others can control remotely. Health monitoring devices, like smartwatches, blood pressure monitors and medication dispensers. #2 Public Health Administrator Public health administrators oversee and manage multiple aspects of public and private public health programs at the federal and local level, including those focused on the elderly. While your duties would vary depending on your particular sector (state, federal or private), some of your responsibilities would include: Designing and Developing Programs for Older AdultsTo better serve the older population, public health administrators work with a team of other professionals to create programs that address the well-being of older adults. Some of these programs focus on topics of interest to the elderly, including fall prevention, mental health support and disease management. Advocating for Elderly-Friendly PoliciesFrom Medicare and Medicaid to other long-term care services, public health administrators work alongside other policymakers to advocate for policies that promote the improved health and wellness of older adults. #3 Intergenerational Program Coordinator Do you enjoy bringing people together for the greater good? How about seeing their faces light up when they’re enjoying the company of new (and sometimes unexpected) companions? Intergenerational program coordinators plan and oversee programs that unify people from different generations. Why do they do it, you ask? For a multitude of uplifting and joyful reasons, such as: Forging positive relationships between unlikely individuals
Pharmacology
How Does the Body React to the COVID-19 Vaccine? First appearing in China near the end of 2019, COVID-19 spread to North America and Europe by February 2020. By November 2020, two major pharmaceutical manufacturers had developed vaccines that were shown to be about 95% effective, which means vaccinated test subjects were 95% less likely to get COVID-19 than unvaccinated ones. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved these vaccines for use within about a year of their inception. Prior to this, the shortest time in which a vaccine had been both developed and FDA approved was four years: for the mumps vaccine, introduced in 1967. At time of writing, there are three primary vaccines in use in the United States, generally known by the names of their manufacturers: Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. mRNA vs
Aging
5 Causes Behind the Growing Baby Boomer Caregiver Gap As baby boomers turn 80, the realities of an aging population and their increasing healthcare needs are becoming impossible to ignore. Long-term care, support with daily living and professional medical oversight are no longer distant concerns — they’re the reality for millions of families. While baby boomers often cared for their elders, their children are less likely to fill that same caregiving role. So, where does that leave older adults in the baby boomer generation? In short, with a growing caregiver gap. In this article, we’re digging into five causes of the caregiver gap in hopes that we can collectively work toward reducing it and provide baby boomers with optimal care during the next phase in their lives. Why Are Baby Boomers Facing an Aged Care Shortage? The baby boomer generation refers to individuals born between 1946 and 1964. Today, millions of baby boomers are entering their late 70s and early 80s, increasing demand for healthcare services, long-term support and caregiving assistance. The baby boomer caregiving gap refers to the growing mismatch between the number of aging baby boomers who require support and the number of caregivers available to meet their needs. As baby boomers age into their 80s and beyond, demand for long-term care services is accelerating faster than workforce growth. What’s Causing the Baby Boomer Caregiver Gap? While there’s no single cause behind the caregiver gap, several social, demographic and economic shifts have contributed to the growing shortage of support for aging baby boomers
Physiology
What Organs Can You Live Without? Our organs keep us alive, individually and in combination with other organs. There are about 78 organs in the human body, and each performs one or more vital functions. But do we really need all of those, or are there organs we can live without? As it turns out, we don’t exactly need all of our organs in order to survive. Let’s look at a few “unnecessary” organs, their purpose and why you can live without them. Appendix What It Does The appendix is somewhat of a mystery organ, as doctors and scientists aren’t 100% sure of its purpose. One common theory is that this little appendage to the large intestine is where the body stores good bacteria
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Physiology
High Altitude: How Our Bodies Adapt Whether you’re climbing a fourteener or just visiting the Mile High City for a week of recreational fun, one thing is for certain — both locations are a lot higher than sea level. But what’s the magic number that dictates when you’ve reached a high altitude? The sweet spot is anywhere between 4,900 to 11,500 feet. If you go higher, you’ve reached the even more elusive (and slightly less oxygenated) very high altitude. So, while you’re sipping that CBD-infused latte in downtown Denver, it may not look or even feel like you’re on top of the world. But if you’ve only just arrived, we’re willing to bet that you might notice one or two of the side effects of being in a high-altitude location, like dizziness, headaches or nausea. So why do we face these occasional uncomfortable symptoms and how do our bodies adapt to such a drastic change in height? In this article, we’ll break down how we acclimate to high altitude, what altitude sickness is and how to prepare for your next high-elevation getaway. How Does Your Body Adapt to High Altitude? When you arrive at a high-altitude location, it would be wonderful if you could snap your fingers and bam — instantly adjust your body to its new environment
Aging
7 Reasons Older Adults Are at Risk for Drug-Related Problems With almost 90% of older adults taking one prescription drug regularly (and 36% consuming at least five), concerned family members often wonder about the potential risks of daily medication use for their elderly loved ones. From overdosing to not taking medications as prescribed, various issues can affect older adults who use prescription and over-the-counter drugs — but what makes that age group particularly vulnerable? Today, we’re discussing the risks older adults face when taking medications and some of the reasons they’re at risk for potential drug-related problems. What Are the Risks the Elderly Face When Taking Drugs Regularly? Many possible effects can occur in older adults who take prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines regularly, including (but not limited to): Drug ineffectiveness Adverse drug effects Underdosage Overdosage Inadequate monitoring of usage Nonadherence Drug interactions 7 Reasons Older Adults Are at Risk for Drug-Related Issues Sure, there are potential repercussions associated with taking one or more medications daily, but what causes those problems in the first place? Below, we discuss seven reasons the elderly are at a higher risk for drug-related health concerns. #1 Polypharmacy Polypharmacy is a term used to describe the simultaneous use of multiple drugs to treat a combination of health conditions. Since people tend to have more health concerns as they age, polypharmacy is more common in older adults. The consistent use of multiple drugs increases the potential for drug interactions and adverse reactions to one or more of their medications. #2 Reduced Kidney and Liver Function The kidney and liver are responsible for metabolizing and excreting drugs through the body. As people age, the function of these essential organs sometimes begins to decline
Aging
Societal Views on Aging What do you think comes to mind when people see the term elderly? Do they picture themselves helping kind older women across the street or perhaps reading to a room full of people at the local nursing home? Sadly, society’s views on aging have changed dramatically in recent years. Rather than helping elderly family members as they progress through their latter stage of life, many people view them as a burden. But was it always this way — and is there anything we can do to change the current societal views on aging? Join us as we break down the good, the bad and the ugly of ageism in the United States and beyond and what you can do to positively impact the elderly community. What Is Ageism — And Is It the Same Around the Globe? Ageism refers to the social prejudice that people sometimes experience based on their age. For example, some individuals in their teens or early 20s won’t receive an interest-free credit card because they’re young and “inexperienced” when it comes to handling their finances. Similarly, older adults experience various degrees of age bias. Sometimes, family members assume their elderly family members aren’t competent enough to drive their car. Other times, someone will insist on helping them complete a task that they believe they’re not strong enough to complete on their own. But is ageism practiced similarly around the world, or are certain cultures more prone to conforming to stereotypes against the elderly? Western societies like our own often focus more heavily on the glory and benefits of youth and are less likely to prioritize taking care of older family members as they age
Physiology
What Happens If You Don’t Get Enough Sunlight? Most of us know the dangers of too much sun — sunburns, dark spots and even skin cancer. But not enough people talk about the other side of the equation: What happens when you don’t get enough sunlight? The same UV rays that can damage your skin also help your body make vitamin D, a nutrient that supports strong bones, a healthy immune system and steady energy. Without it, you could start to feel the effects in surprising, not-so-pleasant ways. So, how much sun is enough, and what really happens when you don’t get it? Let’s dive in. What Happens When You Don’t Get Enough Sunlight? Not getting enough sunlight is surprisingly common. There are several reasons individuals might fall short on natural light.Whether they live in areas with long winters and short days or have a medical condition that makes going outside difficult, sunlight deficiency affects more people than you might think. Here’s what can happen if your body doesn’t get enough natural light: Can a Lack of Sunlight Weaken Your Immune System? Vitamin D helps your immune system produce proteins that fight pathogens. Without enough sunlight, you may experience a weakened immune system and become more susceptible to getting the flu, cold or other infections. Why Does Low Sunlight Cause Fatigue? Sunlight can boost serotonin levels in the brain, creating a sense of calm and boosting your mood
Aging
The Impacts of an Aging Population on Society Those born between 1946 and 1964 grew up in a completely different era than the one we’re familiar with today. World War II had just ended, “It’s a Wonderful Life” had mesmerized audiences and the first season of “I Love Lucy” premiered to over 10 million viewers. People were living the American Dream, and with that dream came an abundance of babies, hence the generational name “baby boomers.” In 2022, baby boomers became the second largest generational group in the United States with 69.6 million people ranging from ages 58 to 76. Even now, as they continue to age, more and more baby boomers are retiring every day. As it stands, approximately 10,000 people reach the retirement age of 65 daily. But how will a rapidly aging population impact society as we know it? Its effects will be felt on a national level as well as a personal level, as we outline in detail below. The Economic Implications of an Aging Population Could Be Significant The sizeable number of older people retiring every week translates to a smaller pool of working-age people
