(BPT) - It’s not surprising that many small businesses are struggling to maintain operations, earn profits and sustain their work forces in the wake of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

(BPT) - About 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day and by 2050, seniors will represent more than 20% of the population.[i] If you are 65 or older, staying healthy is more important than ever. One step includes picking a Medicare prescription drug plan during Open Enrollment, which began Oct. 15.

(BPT) - Quality sleep is essential to good health, but daily life — the stresses of work and family, too much screen time, caffeine or alcohol — disrupts our body’s natural sleep cycle. One tool to promote better sleep is a weighted blanket, but the benefits go beyond sleep. Here are five be…

(BPT) - Glaucoma. It’s a sneaky disease that usually strikes without warning. More than three million people in the United States have it — but only half know they do. Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to progressive vision loss and irreversible blindness. While a diagnosis of glaucoma can b…

(BPT) - It’s something everyone in the U.S. needs and uses in their everyday lives — energy to keep the lights on, appliances working and homes cool or warm enough to be comfortable. Now that everyone is spending more time at home, energy needs — and costs — for households across the country…

(BPT) - For most people, 2020 is a year of change. Remote work, social distancing and more have challenged people to find new ways to connect with each other. Fortunately, humans are resilient and their spirit for finding innovative ways to connect is alive and well.

(BPT) - When Alejandra Marquez was 12 years old, she suddenly started to scream during an otherwise typical Sunday church service. There was a loud buzzing that only she could hear, and she soon began to have trouble standing.

(BPT) - Flu season is approaching, and this year, there are heightened concerns and uncertainties and even more reason to be prepared. Flu season generally peaks from December to February, but it’s wise to plan and focus now on boosting your immunity to help mitigate against flu and other viruses.

(StatePoint) Across the U.S., the COVID-19 crisis is financially impacting people in many ways, including their ability to pay for their medicines.

(BPT) - According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 30% of American military veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after returning home from combat. Yet only about 40% of those individuals ever seek help.

(BPT) - Addiction is a chronic but treatable medical condition. Often unintentionally, many people still talk about addiction in ways that are stigmatizing—meaning they use words that can portray someone with a substance use disorder in a shameful way, which may discourage them from seeking …

(BPT) - Cold and flu season, combined with an ongoing pandemic, is motivating many Americans to do everything possible to support immune health. Fortunately, simple lifestyle habits, like a healthy diet, can make a big difference in strengthening the body’s defense system. But what foods are…

(BPT) - As our country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, a potentially dangerous season is beginning: flu season. The threat of the pandemic will become more complicated by increasing cases of the flu, making more people ill and putting further strain on the U.S. health care system.

(BPT) - If you lost a loved one during the pandemic, you were likely unable to hold the kind of memorial service you would have wanted to honor that special person. Funeral services are an essential part of the grieving process and help bring closure during some of life’s darkest moments. Th…

(BPT) - New puppy owners have plenty of questions when it comes to their new pet — about training their puppy, puppy-proofing their home and what behaviors are considered “normal” for a growing dog. Perhaps the most important question, which is commonly misunderstood, is how to feed your pup…

(BPT) - Did you know that 70,980 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2019? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that figure, citing over 194 drug-related deaths in the U.S. every day last year. And unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has only increased the dangers posed…

(BPT) - This year alone an estimated 276,000 women and 2,620 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. While breast cancer continues to impact a significant number of people each year, scientific advancements have led to more personalized treatment options. Researchers h…

(BPT) - Paid Content by Silverton Mortgage

(BPT) - Sponsored by Atara Biotherapeutics

(BPT) - “I received a phone call one day that devastated my life forever. My son, Nico, had been diagnosed with meningococcal disease, and was at the hospital for only eight minutes before losing consciousness. He never woke up — and as a father, I never got to say goodbye.”

(BPT) - “I got the call every parent fears. My daughter, Jamie, was in the hospital and I needed to get there immediately. When I got to the hospital, Jamie was already in an induced coma — fighting to survive,” said GSK spokesperson and meningitis advocate Patsy Schanbaum.

(BPT) - As Americans are spending more time at home in response to the pandemic, many are looking for ways to turn their living spaces into retreats of calm, comfort and well-being.

(BPT) - As many people head to the polls to cast their vote in the 2020 presidential election, there is another important decision millions of Americans will make: choosing their health care coverage for 2021.

(BPT) - Online grocery shopping is on the rise, and the options are plentiful — from having a shopper deliver goods at your door to curbside pickup and more. But even the most experienced grocery shoppers may find they need to learn some new tricks to achieve online grocery shopping success.

(BPT) - Due to quarantine and social distancing measures, Americans have found themselves cooking at home more than ever. However, after creating some of the same meals week after week, you might be hitting a home-cooking rut. To shake things up in the kitchen, consider these 10 ways to add …

(BPT) - Good laundry practices in the home are more important than ever. Recommendations from the North American Cleaning and Sanitization Expert Panel, which recently convened in a workshop hosted by the University of Arizona, offer guidelines to help reduce the spread of infections and ill…

(BPT) - Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive and debilitating disease that leads to scarring of the lungs, with no known cure. Yet, while more than 200,000 Americans are living with the disease, there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding causes, treatments, diagnosis and m…

(BPT) - According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide every year, and of the total amount of animals in shelters, only about 3.2 million are adopted each year. That means millions of p…

(BPT) - With one in four adults in the U.S. suffering from chronic joint pain, the recent restrictions on elective surgeries due to COVID-19 have been particularly difficult.[1]

(BPT) - Among the impacts of COVID-19 is a marked increase in cooking fires. With millions more Americans staying home, cooking at home has become more common. In a recent survey by marketing firm Hunter, 54% of adults said they’ve been cooking more since the coronavirus epidemic began. Not …

(BPT) - Data breaches, identity theft, phishing attempts and malware literally “pop up” every day. October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which each year reminds us why it is critical that we remain vigilant when it comes to you and your family’s digital activity, habits and over…

(BPT) - As the world waits for the approval and release of a COVID-19 vaccine, many are learning about the historically lengthy and arduous procedures required to conduct clinical trials.

(BPT) - You or someone you know well likely suffers from arthritis, joint inflammation that, per the CDC, affects an estimated 54 million people in the United States, or 23% of all adults.1 Two common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

(BPT) - October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The month is not just about making people aware of metastatic breast cancer and celebrating survivors, it is also about taking action so we can improve the lives of people living with breast cancer.

(BPT) - Fall is here, and with it comes the anticipation of pumpkins, cooler temperatures, and for many, the start of classes. But let’s be honest: The COVID-19 pandemic means this fall is unlike any other in memory, and as a parent, you may be suddenly juggling your new roles of part-time r…

(BPT) - If you're a small-business owner — whether your business consists of just you and your spouse or a handful of employees — and you're emerging from the pandemic into your new normal, it may be time for you to think about setting up retirement accounts, not just for your employees, but…

(BPT) - By now, most seniors are aware that they’re among the most vulnerable demographic groups when it comes to contracting COVID-19.

(BPT) - What turns a recipe into a weeknight favorite? How about something easy and packed with flavor that can be made partly in advance? Add excitement by exploring cuisines like those of North Africa, with flavor contrasts of spicy, sweet and tart. The following recipes use grapes as a fr…

(BPT) - Medicare Part D provides coverage for prescription drugs that save and extend lives for millions of older adults and people with disabilities, many of whom would otherwise struggle to afford their treatments. However, despite the important purpose it serves, some people on Medicare, …

(BPT) - When planning for the future, security and peace of mind are likely top of mind, particularly for Americans age 50 and older. There are many considerations — from income planning for retirement, to considering potential healthcare needs, to getting one’s personal affairs in place. As…

(BPT) - If you’re trying to improve your heart health, chances are you’re doing things like moving more and eating better. Making sure your diet delivers heart-healthy nutrients, including healthy fats, is a smart strategy. A new study from Mayo Clinic Proceedings provides more evidence on w…

(BPT) - Flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States yearly. This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get a flu vaccine to protect yourself, your family and your communi…

(BPT) - Shortness of breath. Heart palpitations. When Danita first noticed these occasional abnormalities, she didn’t give them much thought. After all, she figured, aging and menopause can bring their fair share of physical changes, and the feelings would always go away.