Do you panic or feel anxious when you’re away from your phone or can’t get a signal? You might be experiencing nomophobia, short for "no-mobile-phone phobia." While it’s not classified as an official anxiety disorder, health experts say it shares similarities with other psychological conditions related to specific fears. For instance, someone with nomophobia might worry about missing important news or events if they’re not constantly checking their phone. They may feel uneasy at the thought of not being able to contact others immediately, or imagine stressful scenarios where they didn’t have their phone. Physical symptoms like an increased heart rate, sweating, headaches, or trembling can also occur, similar to other anxiety-related conditions.

Researchers suggest that teens and young adults are more at risk of developing nomophobia, though adults can experience it as well. Earlier this year, a study presented at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting revealed that over 99 percent of global healthcare providers met some criteria for nomophobia.

Some of the most exciting athletes at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are teens, many making their first appearance on the international stage. Among this year’s youngest competitors are Iona Winnifrith (age 13, Para swimming), Bly Twomey (age 14, Para table tennis), Isaiah Benjamin (age 15, Para track and field), Jordan White (age 15, Para archery), and Victor dos Santos Almeida (age 16, Para swimming).

The Paralympics, which began as a small competition between British World War II veterans in 1948, are now the second biggest sporting event in the world. The Games not only promote diversity and inclusivity, but also highlight the determination, hard work, and amazing achievements of athletes with various physical, visual, and intellectual impairments. Nineteen-year-old Ezra Frech, who recently won his first gold in the men’s 100-meter sprint, says, “I try to use my platform to be an example for people with disabilities. I want to not only normalize disability but show what is possible with disabilities. I want them all to know that sport is possible for them.”

A new study from the U.S. National Sleep Foundation reports that one in six teen drivers reported having driven drowsy. Based on these findings, the study authors estimate that more than 400,000 American teens drive drowsy at least once per week. The majority of study participants said their work or school schedules prevented them from getting adequate sleep. The teen drivers with jobs were more than twice as likely to have driven drowsy than teens without jobs.

“Driving drowsy” means driving while feeling very tired or sleepy. When a driver is sleep-deprived, their attention and focus diminish, and they become more easily distracted. They may even experience microsleeps, brief moments of dozing off that last a few seconds. This reduced alertness slows the driver’s reaction time, making it harder to avoid hazards on the road. Not getting enough sleep is also associated with poorer decision-making, which can increase risky behavior while driving.

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unveiled a new plan to reduce sodium intake among Americans by 20 percent, lowering the average to 2,750 mg per person per day from the previous recommendation of around 3,400 mg. Over 70 percent of sodium in the average person’s diet comes from processed and restaurant foods such as canned soups, deli meat, and frozen meals and snacks.

Consuming too much sodium can elevate your blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke, and may also lead to kidney disease, kidney stones, stomach cancer, and osteoporosis (a weakening of the bones). Health officials emphasize that reducing sodium intake during your teen years is crucial because the dietary habits you form now often continue into adulthood.

According to data from the CDC’s 2024 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, American teens are showing a slight improvement in their mental health. The number of students reporting feelings of sadness or hopelessness decreased from 42 percent in 2021 to 40 percent in 2023. Although the change is small, it marks the first decline in over a decade. There were also modest yet significant decreases in the percentage of female, Hispanic, and Black students who experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness or who seriously considered attempting suicide.

Despite these encouraging trends, the report highlights ongoing disparities in youth mental health, particularly among girls and LGBTQ+ students. The CDC also noted an increase in the number of students reporting violence and safety concerns at school or on the way to school, with a growing number of students missing school because they don’t feel safe. A CDC spokesperson emphasized that while more schools are working to improve social-emotional support for students, much work remains to be done.

Over 80 public health and sustainability groups around the world are urging the International Olympic Committee to drop Coca-Cola as a sponsor of the Olympic Games. The “Kick Big Soda Out of Sport” campaign emphasizes the harmful effects of sugary drinks on public health, linking them to increased obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Additionally, the campaign draws attention to the environmental harm resulting from the production, transportation, and disposal of plastic bottles, which contribute to increased CO2 emissions and pollution in our ecosystems and waterways. Coca-Cola has sponsored more sporting events than any other brand, and has sponsored every Olympic tournament since 1928.

According to a recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics, just over a quarter of teens said they always get the social and emotional support they need, but parents were nearly three times more likely to think they did. The study was conducted over 2021 and 2022 and included nearly 1,200 children ages 12 to 17 and their parents.

Experts say support systems are important for everyone but particularly for teens. If you need to talk to someone, help is available. You can find free, anonymous, and confidential helplines that provide counseling and support on our Hotlines page.

Last week, Hurricane Beryl caused at least eleven deaths and devastating damage as it moved through the Caribbean and Mexico. It now holds the title as the strongest hurricane on record in the month of July. Experts say Beryl gained strength quickly because the water in the Atlantic was unusually warm. Usually, major hurricanes that intensify quickly don’t form until later in the summer and early fall, when the water in the tropical Atlantic is at its warmest and hurricane activity is at its highest. On July 8, 2024, Beryl made its third and final landfall in Texas as a Category 1 storm.

When a natural disaster occurs, you must stay alert and be ready to leave your home at a moment’s notice. It’s also important to listen to updates and instructions from local authorities about how to respond to emergencies in your area.

There’s a lot of evidence from studies with adults showing that volunteering can greatly benefit both physical and mental health. Researchers say the feeling of being valued by people around you, which often comes from volunteering, plays a significant role in these benefits. Now, scientists are discovering similar links between helping others and improved physical and mental health in young people. Studies found that students who had volunteered or participated in community service experienced many health benefits, such as reduced anxiety, improved self-esteem, and a greater sense of purpose. While more research is needed, health officials believe that volunteering in community programs could be a valuable strategy for helping teens with depression and anxiety.

According to a new study published in the medical journal Pediatrics, doctors believe there may be a connection between teens with hypertension (high blood pressure) and a lack of quality sleep. The major risk factors for hypertension in kids and teens typically include being overweight, not getting enough physical activity, and a poor diet. However, not getting enough sleep has also been linked to numerous heart problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack, obesity, diabetes, and stroke. Dr. Amy Kogon, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, says health officials typically focus on diet and exercise but rarely consider how sleep might play a role in a teen’s cardiovascular health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 7 young people ages 12 to 19 have hypertension, and nearly 60 percent of middle school students and more than 70 percent of high school students aren’t getting enough sleep.

New research, co-authored by scientists at the National Institutes of Health, discovered that a “small but detectable quantity” of the infectious H5N1 bird flu virus can survive a common pasteurization process for milk. Most positive results were found in raw milk samples that were heavily contaminated with the virus. However, health officials have not detected any infectious virus in supermarket milk samples. Authorities are urging states to limit the sale of raw milk to prevent the spread of the virus and are advising consumers to avoid drinking raw milk.