Insured natural disaster losses hit an estimated $120 billion in 2022, with North America making up the bulk of the tally due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, according to Munich Re. Economic losses reached $270 billion, down from $320 billion in 2021.

On Jan. 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) proposed regulations that would reduce monthly payments for certain federal student loan borrowers. The agency’s proposal overhauls one of the four existing income-driven repayment (IDR) plans—also known as the Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) plan—that aims to make student loan payments more manageable.

The winter months are known for bringing sickness. In particular, this winter, health experts are warning of a “tripledemic” due to the threat of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza (flu) and COVID-19. Viruses transmit more effectively in cold and dry weather, increasing your chances of coming into contact with someone contagious.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 6.5% year over year in December 2022, down from 7.1% in November. Moderating inflation is a welcome relief for Americans and a positive development for the Federal Reserve (Fed) and other policymakers; however, the fight against inflation isn’t over.

The United States experienced the second year of decline in life expectancy in 2021, while other comparably large, wealthy countries saw a rebound in life expectancy since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new Health System Tracker analysis from the Peterson Center on Healthcare and Kaiser Family Foundation (Peterson-KFF).

Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain traction in the U.S. auto market. Last year, Americans bought nearly 450,000 EVs—an 83% jump over 2020. With many federal and state governments pushing for lower CO2 roadway emissions, EV demand is expected to soar during the next decade.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 million adults in the United States suffer injuries due to slips and falls every year, and the likelihood of an incident occurring increases in colder conditions. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of slips and falls this winter.

Winter weather can cause dangerous road conditions. In 2020, 374 fatal crashes occurred in winter driving conditions. Driving cautiously and understanding what to do in an emergency are key to staying safe this winter.

Winter is one of the most challenging times of the year to collect enough blood products and donations to meet patient needs. That's why National Blood Donor Month is celebrated every January. This year's national health observance comes as the nation's blood supply has dropped to concerning levels and could delay essential blood and platelet transfusions.

Virtual primary care—primary health care services delivered online or via phone—has increased in popularity as telemedicine has become more prominent. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, telemedicine allowed more people to access health care services remotely. Now, virtual primary care is an increasingly preferred means to receive health care without going to a physical doctor’s office.

Cryptocurrency is characterized as a digital currency that operates independently of a banking system and leverages encryption technology to transfer its value through the internet. There are several different types of cryptocurrency, but the largest by market capitalization is bitcoin. Despite its intangible form, cryptocurrency functions similarly to physical cash across many countries and governments.

Recently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the consumer price index eased to a 7.1% year-over-year increase in November 2022, down from 7.7% in October. This means that prices of a broad selection of goods have risen, but less than expected. November marks the fifth consecutive month that inflation slowed—another good sign.

Health experts warn of a “tripledemic” surge this winter as Americans face the threat of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza (flu) and COVID-19. In the last couple of years, both the flu and COVID-19 have been prominent in the United States, but with the addition of RSV’s prevalence this year, there are new risks when catching any of these illnesses.

Sleep is crucial for your overall health and well-being. There are generally considered to be four sleep stages—awake, light, deep and REM sleep. Deep sleep is the key repair and restorative stage of sleep, and it’s necessary to feel your best each day.

The North Atlantic hurricane season—which lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30 annually—featured 14 named storms, eight of which reached hurricane strength, in 2022. While this year’s hurricane season produced fewer storms than originally predicted, it was still the third most expensive hurricane season to date.

The largest and most visible organ of the body is the skin. Your skin helps protect you from harmful organisms and regulates body temperature. Healthy skin plays an important role in physical well-being and leads to better overall health, so it’s essential to pay attention to the signs your skin is giving you.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its October Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary. The month’s reported number of job openings decreased by 353,000 to 10.3 million as the Federal Reserve (Fed) increased interest rates in an effort to cool the labor market. October’s number of job openings is down 760,000 compared with a year ago, resulting in 1.7 job openings for each unemployed worker.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, the number of licensed drivers over 70 increased 75% from 1997 to 2020. This is partially due to U.S. demographics, in which Americans over 65 represent the fastest-growing sector of the U.S. population. But it also reflects a trend in American driving habits. Older adults are generally driving more miles and keeping their licenses longer than previous generations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new guidelines to clinicians for when to prescribe opioids for pain. The CDC officials have stated that doctors, insurers, pharmacies and regulators have misapplied previous guidance.

While the holiday season and end-of-year parties can be full of festive fun, they can also be stressful and take a toll on your emotional well-being. Putting your emotional wellness on the backburner may cause mood changes and feelings of irritability, hopelessness and isolation.