Author: FRANK JOST

Understanding the Foundations of Sustainable Healthy Habits for Long-term Success As individuals strive to align their lifestyle with wellness and personal growth, the importance of crafting sustainable healthy habits becomes paramount. Instead of pursuing fleeting diets or short-lived resolutions, the focus in 2026 has shifted toward embedding meaningful, lasting changes that balance mindful living with resilience. The psychology behind habit formation underscores that consistency and gradual progression are key to long-term success, supporting both physical health and mental well-being. One significant reason why sustainable habits are favored is their inherent adaptability. For example, rather than setting an immediate goal to…

If you feel like groceries keep getting more expensive, you’re not imagining it. And now, a very public policy fight in Washington and in state capitols is putting food prices, labels, and “ultra-processed” ingredients right in the spotlight. On one side, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and supporters of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement are backing a wave of state proposals to restrict certain additives, dyes, and ultra-processed foods. On the other, big food and beverage companies are warning that state-by-state rules will raise costs and push for one national (federal) standard instead. For…

How Healthy Habits Counteract Brain Aging in People with Chronic Pain Chronic pain is a pervasive challenge affecting millions of adults, especially as they age. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly a quarter of adults in the United States reported experiencing chronic pain in recent years, with a significant subset experiencing pain that disrupts daily activities. While chronic pain has been historically linked to accelerated brain aging — evident in MRI scans that reveal brain structures appearing older than their chronological age — recent scientific discoveries provide hope. Research from the University of Florida…

Hospice care is about comfort, dignity, and quality of life. It is not about “giving up.” It is about focusing on what matters most when time is precious: relief from distress, meaningful connection, and moments of peace. In that space, something surprisingly powerful often rises to the surface: a simple wish. As a physician specialized in hospital patient wellness, I have seen how small, realistic wishes can bring profound joy to hospice patients and their loved ones. A favorite meal. A visit from a pet. A short ride to feel sunshine on the face. A song played at the bedside.…

When something tragic happens, many parents feel stuck between two fears: saying too much and scaring their child, or saying too little and leaving them confused and alone with their imagination. The goal is not to deliver a perfect speech. The goal is to offer steady, age-appropriate truth, emotional safety, and ongoing connection. As a physician, child psychologist, and parenting specialist, I want to reassure you of something important: children can handle hard information when it is shared calmly, in simple language, with a trusted adult who stays present. What they struggle with most is uncertainty, overheard fragments, and feeling…

Public health rarely changes quietly. In recent years, decisions made in Washington have had immediate and lasting consequences for how Americans access care, afford insurance, and protect themselves against disease. One particularly turbulent period marked a turning point, as leadership changes, funding decisions, and regulatory overhauls collectively redefined the health care landscape. Below are seven pivotal developments that significantly influenced public health policy, health care delivery, and patient access across the country. Together, they illustrate how political decisions can ripple through hospitals, clinics, and households alike. 1 – A sweeping reduction in Medicaid funding One of the most consequential policy…

For decades, Alzheimer’s disease has remained one of medicine’s greatest challenges. Despite enormous research efforts, there is still no cure, and most available treatments offer only limited, temporary relief. Against this difficult backdrop, a recent clinical study has drawn attention for an unexpected reason: it suggests that extremely small, non-intoxicating doses of compounds derived from cannabis may help slow cognitive decline in people with early-stage Alzheimer’s. This finding challenges long-held assumptions and opens a new conversation about how the aging brain might be protected — not through powerful drugs, but through subtle biological support. A dose so small it seems…

Understanding the Impact of Social Connections on Inflammation and Health Chronic inflammation is a widespread challenge that affects millions of people worldwide, playing a major role in diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and even some forms of cancer. While many associate inflammation simply with physical symptoms like joint pain or skin rashes, it operates at a cellular level that can profoundly influence overall wellness and the immune system. Amid the numerous strategies to combat this condition, one simple daily habit stands out due to its holistic effect: nurturing strong social connections. Social relationships are not merely an emotional…

Gene therapy has transformed what was once considered impossible in the treatment of sickle cell disease: the prospect of a cure. Approved therapies have now existed for more than two years, and for some patients, the results have been life-changing. Yet for many others, access remains limited, delayed, or entirely unavailable. Recent federal policy efforts, including initiatives launched under the Trump administration, aim to expand access to these treatments. However, structural barriers, high costs, and uneven health care infrastructure continue to slow progress — particularly for patients living in rural and underserved areas. Sickle cell disease and its long-term impact…

For years, many older adults have watched friends and family members lose meaningful weight on newer “glp-1” medications—only to discover that Medicare generally won’t cover anti-obesity drugs when they’re prescribed specifically for weight loss. That may soon start to change. The centers for medicare & medicaid services (cms) has announced a voluntary model called balance (better approaches to lifestyle and nutrition for comprehensive hEalth). The goal: make certain high-demand glp-1 medicines more affordable for eligible people with medicare and medicaid, while pairing medication access with lifestyle support and keeping an eye on taxpayer cost. If you’re a medicare beneficiary—or you…