After one of the most costly years for natural disasters in United States (US) history, alarm bells are sounding again for the 2024 hurricane season.1 Each year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the federal agency responsible for providing daily weather forecasts and severe storm warnings, issues a spring and summer hurricane outlook. This year’s is exceptionally daunting. The NOAA has released the most aggressive forecast it has ever issued for its May outlook. The agency predicts that 8 to 13 hurricanes will form in the Atlantic Basin in 2024.2,3  Though som ..read more

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient that is actually eight compounds—four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. The synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol (all-rac-alpha tocopherol) is also referred to as vitamin E and is found in dietary supplements and fortified foods. Tocopherols are considered to be the most active of the vitamin E compounds and are found throughout the food chain in both plant and animal sources. The primary function of vitamin E in the body is as an antioxidant. Because it is fat-soluble, it is important for preventing oxidation of fats in places like cell membranes and mitochondri ..read more

According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is a type of therapy that utilizes art-making in a therapeutic environment “to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.”1 Forms of art-making used in art therapy include, but are not limited to, drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage making. Art therapists hold a Master’s degree or higher, and completion of 1,000 hours of super ..read more

In honor of Women’s Health Month, which took place in May, we discuss the latest preventative care, risk factors, and treatment options for breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers in female patients.Facts About Breast Cancer  Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer that United States women are diagnosed with.1 When detected early through self-exams, clinical exams, and mammograms,  breast cancer is treatable.1–3 Risk factors for breast cancer. Women over 55 years of age are more likely to develop invasive breast cancers. Patients with overweight and obesity have an increased ri ..read more

Sleep hygiene refers to practices and routines that help people fall and stay asleep each night,1 including sticking to a regular bedtime, maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, and creating an optimal sleeping environment.2 Developing and maintaining good sleep hygiene practices helps to ensure a good night’s rest for optimal physical and mental health.1  Infants, children, and adults can all benefit from consistent sleep hygiene routines.2 Infants should sleep from 16 to 18 hours a day; preschool children should sleep from 11 to 12 hours a day; school-aged children and teens should ..read more

By Sarabeth Lowe, MPH Ms. Lowe is a Communication Specialist at the University of Delaware Disaster Research Center. Whether you’re cruising on a set of wheels or on your own two feet, you’ve likely reaped the benefits of your neighborhood’s sidewalks, biking paths, and trails—all examples of pedestrian infrastructure. Conversations surrounding this facet of the built environment have become a hot topic.1 Safety advocates, lawmakers, and community members have sounded the alarm bells on the high rates of pedestrian injuries and fatalities for decades.2,3 Still, thousands of people die annually ..read more

Raynaud’s Phenomenon (RP) occurs when there is a decrease in the blood flow to the fingers and toes caused by a tightening of blood vessels due to cold weather exposure or stress. Other common areas of the body that can be affected by RP include the ears, nose, and nipples. There are two forms of RP, primary and secondary. The primary form has no known cause and primarily affects women under 30. The secondary form of RP stems from conditions, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disease.1 Signs and Symptoms The signs of an RP attack include one or more fingers or toes turning whit ..read more

The tiny bumps on the tongue, termed papillae, contain collections of cells known as taste buds.1 Food and drink travels through small openings in the tongue’s surface called taste pores, allowing the inner cells to identify their tastes.1 Common tastes include sweet, umami, sour, salty, bitter, fatty, and metallic.2 The Anatomy of Taste Buds The three types of papillae include fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate. Fungiform papillae are on the sides and tip of the tongue and contain the most taste buds—about 1,600. Circumvallate papillae are located at the back of the tongue, containing abo ..read more

Most people don’t give much thought to their tonsils. Hidden in the back of the throat, these tiny organs are out of sight and out of mind. Often, it isn’t until something goes wrong with their tonsils that people pay them much mind. They were even once thought to be vestigial structures. Tonsils, however, are more than meets the eye. In this article, we will review the tonsils’ function and anatomy, relevant health conditions, and more. Purpose and Function Tonsils are a group of tissues that serve as the body’s first line of defense against pathogens entering through the nasopharynx and oro ..read more

Fiber is a carbohydrate that cannot be digested by the small intestine but can be partially or fully fermented in the large intestine.1 Dietary fiber is an essential part of the diet, but most Americans do not consume enough. The average intake of dietary fiber in the United States (US) is 15 to 16g per day.1,2 The recommended dietary fiber intake is as follows:   Women aged 19 to 50 years: 25g/day Women aged 51 years or older: 21g/day Men aged 19 to 50 years: 38g/day Men aged 51 years or older: 30g/day1 The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 recommends consuming 14g of fiber ..read more