teenage artist in a wheelchair works at an easel

Championing Self-Belief: Strategies for Empowering Teens with Disabilities

7.3 million students were living with disabilities in the U.S. public school system in the 2021-22 school year, making up 15% of national public school enrollment, according to data from the Pew Research Center.   This number includes pre-k students through 12th graders. However, teenagers living with a disability, in particular, face unique challenges that…

patient and doctor consulting about prostate cancer, a personal story

How My Experiences as a Patient Helped Me Become a Better Physician and Deepened My Understanding of the Impact Illness has on the Whole Person

By Dr. Jonathan Torres, Medical Director, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits Like many other people, I was going through life busy raising children, working and making time for hobbies and travel when possible. I had completed medical school, residency training and served as a physician in the U.S. Air Force. During those more than 27 years as…

wheelchair athlete competing in road race

Empowerment through Accessibility: Making Outdoor Activities Safe and Enjoyable for All

How does spending time in nature make you feel? Relaxed? Refreshed? Perhaps even a little giddy at the prospect of an afternoon spent swimming in a pool or playing at a local park?   The stress-busting benefits of outdoor activities have recently been confirmed by research published in JAMA. Researchers found that spending time in…

Pet bearded dragon on young woman's shoulder

Bearded Dragons as Emotional Support Pets

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is any pet that is legally certified to offer support for emotional of psychological conditions. They help people by providing support during difficult times and are mostly commonly utilized by people suffering from conditions such as anxiety or depression. Usually dogs are trained for this task. However, diversity of ESAs…

Five Lifestyle Changes for a Strong Mind and Body

Five Lifestyle Changes for a Strong Mind and Body

Taking care of yourself is an important aspect of maintaining both physical and mental well being. By making adjustments to your daily routine, you can start seeing positive changes in your overall health and even inspire your loved ones to do the same. In this article, we will explore five habits that contribute to a…

LGBTQ+ health challenges

LGBTQ+ Confronted by Increased Disabilities and Reduced Medical Care

As we celebrate Pride Month this June, the world’s LGBTQ+ communities have many hard-won achievements to recognize. In the United States, where the Pride movement began, acceptance of LGBTQ+ people is greater than in many other countries. Yet, the weight of continued discrimination and poor physical health and mental distress is taking a unique toll…