While the COVID-19 pandemic has understandably captured the attention of much of the healthcare system and the general public, it is all too easy to overlook other pressing health concerns. A startling 30 % rise in cancer diagnoses among people aged fifteen to thirty-nine between 1973 and 2015 was reported in a recent study in the United States. Among these cancers are those of the kidney, liver, pancreas, breast, colon, and esophagus.

A cancer diagnosis is always heart-wrenching, irrespective of a person’s age and gender. It is even more upsetting for younger adults as they are at a critical juncture in life when they work on being more independent, starting careers, and establishing new relationships. Young adults also have the lowest rates of health insurance coverage and are frequently less financially stable than older adults. Before diving deep into this cesspool of grief, let us try and understand the reason

The state of Illinois is in the midst of an opioid abuse epidemic. In 2013, there were 1,089 deaths from drug overdoses in Illinois. Of those deaths, 668 were caused by opioids. That number represents a 61% increase from the previous year.

The majority of those who died from opioid overdoses were between the ages of 25 and 44. However, the number of overdose deaths among people aged 55 and older has also been increasing at an alarming rate.

Also, it has been shown that men have made up the bulk of those struggling with opioid use disorder with 72.4% of emergency room visits from 2019-2020.

There are several factors that have contributed to the rise in opioid addiction and overdose rates in Illinois. One is the increased availability of prescription painkillers.

When people are prescribed painkillers for legitimate purposes, they may not be aware of the potential for addiction.

The balls have dropped; it is time for new year’s resolutions again. Some people enjoy the annual tradition of setting a goal on January first. Others argue it is a waste of time because most resolutions fail by mid-March. Despite the grim statistics, there is a logic to jumping on the new year’s resolution bandwagon. On dates like New Year’s day, birthdays, and even Mondays, people are extra motivated to tackle their goals because they feel like they can turn the page on previous failures.

If you are thinking about making new year’s resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle, keep in mind that they need to be specific, realistic, and long-term. New year’s resolutions are easy to make but difficult to accomplish. You must prepare and plan to turn your resolution into an actual solution. There is no easy magic button to press to keep a resolution. Do not worry;

Here are the best tips for feeling socially isolated while working from home:

Photo Credit: Unsplash

1. Get outside on your lunch break and take a nice walk.  

Being in the house all day can make you want to stay indoors day in and day out. Being outside switches up your scenery, rather than staring at the walls in your house all day.

Fresh air can also uplift your mood if you are feeling a bit wonky. Let the sun warm your skin while you listen to the noise around you.

You may also see other people during your walk, which can help you feel more connected with the rest of the world.

2. Make sure that you clock out right when your shift is over.  

It is easy to just continue working because you are already home, and you feel like an extra 30 mins to an hour won’t

Make a batch of these homemade dog treats for all your furry friends! Made from 5 ingredients, and baked in under 30 minutes.

Easy Homemade Dog Treats

These homemade dog treats are easier than driving to the pet store to buy some! You’ll love that these treats are made from 5 simple ingredients that you can feel good about giving your dog, plus, aren’t they cute?!

Ingredients for Homemade Dog Treats

Make these homemade dog treats with just 5 ingredients. You’ll need:

• Pureed sweet potato
• Drippy