Blogs
When I was a Marine, I remember being told I should never walk around our base in Iraq alone. Would you believe that it didn’t even seem strange at the time? Today, I’m a public health researcher. I try to figure out how to make the process of transitioning from solider to civilian easier for...
"I love every inch of me." One simple sentence that is so hard to say and believe. For years, I let others' comments crush me and ruin how I saw myself. Growing up, I was the "chunky" friend — the one who couldn't borrow clothes, the one that boys didn't look at because I was too big. When I lived...
Ed. note: This blog post has been adapted from a Joan's Blog post. The original post was posted on May 15, 2017. Read the original post. Throughout my life and career, I've collected countless tips for living a healthy lifestyle. In honor of National Women's Health Week, I'd like to share my...
Each National Women’s Health Week, we encourage women to pay attention to their mental health. What does that mean to you? We asked Dr. Keisha Downey, a National Women’s Health Week ambassador and psychologist. She offers her tips for staying mentally healthy, plus insights about when to get help...
Our miracle baby Nia was once the tear streaming down her daddy's face as he sat alone in his car waiting for my D&C (dilation and curettage), a procedure that removed the remains of the sibling Nia will never know. She was once the words my pain-consumed heart uttered as I rocked on my knees asking...
Ladies, a recent study shows that we’re catching up with men when it comes to alcohol use — and misuse. That means we’re also dealing with how it hurts our health. This is especially true for younger women. If you enjoy going to happy hour after work, late-night partying, or the occasional day...
To teens, young love can feel all-encompassing. The emotional rush and validation that many experience from a first love can be exciting, but sometimes, it can turn into codependency. When relationships go from healthy to codependent, abusive behavior can follow. Knowing that approximately 1 in 3...
As a certified health coach, I often hear from women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are frustrated and have lost all hope because the only advice their doctors offer is to lose weight, take a pill, and live with their symptoms. For much of my life, I was one of these women. As early as 14...
It's holiday time, and life seems busier than ever. I'm working through my seemingly ever-growing list of gifts to buy, events to attend, and things to wrap up before the end of the year. In the midst of all this activity, it's during the quiet times that I recognize there is a void. My void has a...
Moving to a new city, starting a family, and even launching a new career can bring up questions about health insurance coverage. Katie Hay was able to do all three with the support of the Affordable Care Act and Health Insurance Marketplace. Now a yoga therapist based in North Carolina, Katie talks...