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Get expert advice on gathering safely from Harvard Health Publishing. Spoiler alert: vaccination is key to helping keep everyone healthy. Below, our faculty contributors share their own plans and advice for safely enjoying the holidays this year while answering three important questions. Roger Shapiro, MD Associate professor of immunology and infectious diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan …

Thinking about holiday gatherings? Harvard Health experts weigh in Read More »

Vaccination against the virus that causes COVID-19 is the most important lifesaving tool we have in this pandemic. Fortunately, the vaccines authorized in the US have proven remarkably safe and effective. And we’ve known from the start that the strong protection they provide would likely wane over time. But has protection declined enough to warrant …

Thinking about COVID booster shots? Here’s what to know Read More »

What can you add to a wide variety of foods, from cereals to salads, that’s crunchy, filling, and flavorful — and good for your heart? The answer is nuts. While all varieties of nuts are chock full of important nutrients, walnuts may be especially good for protecting cardiovascular health, according to a recent study in …

Walnuts: A worthy addition to your daily diet? Read More »

As if stubbornly high rates of COVID-19 aren’t giving us enough to worry about, welcome to cold and flu season! Yes, colds and influenza, two well-known upper respiratory infections, will soon be on the rise. Last year we saw remarkably low rates of flu. Many experts don’t think we’ll be so lucky this year. Think …

Time to stock up on zinc? Read More »

Recently, my brother mentioned he was sleeping better since he got new prescription glasses with a blue-light filter. He wears his glasses mostly for reading screens (both computer and smartphone) during the day while at work. So I was intrigued, but a little skeptical: could daytime use of blue light-filtering glasses make a difference in …

Can blue light-blocking glasses improve your sleep? Read More »

Psoriasis is a chronic disease in which skin cells rapidly divide, causing the skin to develop rough, red, scaly patches. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form: affected skin has sharply defined, inflamed patches (plaques) with silvery or white scales, often near an elbow or on the shins and trunk. The cause of psoriasis isn’t …

Harvard Health Ad Watch: An upbeat ad for a psoriasis treatment Read More »

Last week, the FDA authorized the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. After conducting their own review, the CDC now recommends this vaccine for children in this age range, who can begin receiving their first dose within the week. While many families have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity for their children to …

Wondering about COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11? Read More »

All parents want their children to be successful in life — and by successful, we mean not just having a good job and a good income, but also being happy. And all parents wonder how they can make that happen. According to Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, it’s less about grades and extracurricular activities, …

Skills children need to succeed in life — and getting youngsters started Read More »

In the US, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Each year, an estimated 270,000 women — and a far smaller number of men — are diagnosed with it. When caught in early stages, it’s usually highly treatable. A promising new form of targeted …

A new targeted treatment for early-stage breast cancer? Read More »

The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, and the meal is a centerpiece of the occasion. But when you’re a caregiver for an aging parent, the joy can be overshadowed by stress. Whether you’re observing winter holidays — such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or New Year’s Eve — or holidays …

Caring for an aging parent? Tips for enjoying holiday meals Read More »