Your health
Healthy marriage
Research shows show married men live longer than single ones, and this may be one of the reasons why: A new study shows men are less likely to go for early screening unless they have a wife or significant other living with them. And perhaps, nagging them.
"In terms of motivating people to get screened, there may be benefit in targeting wives or significant others as well as men," said Lauren P. Wallner, a graduate research associate at the University of Michigan and lead author.
The study looked at 2,447 Caucasian men ages 40 to 79 years old. Men who lived alone were 40 percent less likely to be screened than those who were married or living with someone.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S., but early detection greatly improves the five-year survival rate.
Giving from the sole
An opportunity for giving this holiday season is as close as your podiatrist's office.
Doctors from the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association are accepting donations of new or gently used shoes to be distributed to local charities.
"Everybody knows shoes play an important role in keeping feet healthy," said IPMA President Paul Brezinski, an Arlington Heights podiatrist. But not everyone can afford to replace worn-out ones, especially this year.
To find the nearest podiatrist participating in the shoe drive, visit ipma.net and enter your ZIP code.
Grab your hankie
What's your book group reading these days? If you are having a dry spell coming up with new titles, check out the Dry Eye Book Club. It's a virtual book club organized by best-selling author Jacquelyn Mitchard ("The Deep End of the Ocean"), who is, you guessed it, a dry eye sufferer.
The goal is to raise awareness about dry eye disease, which affects an estimated 20 million Americans - more women than men - and can make reading, working on the computer and other activities uncomfortable.
Chronic dry eye is caused by a dysfunction of the tear-producing glands. If your eyes feel dry or irritated all the time, visit dryeyebookclub.com to take the Dry Eye Quiz and learn about treatments. And you'll want to check out the Top 10 Tear-Jerker Book List, selected by women across the country.