Advocates say Illinois women played a defining role in the state’s newly passed medical aid-in-dying law. Their stories and leadership helped shape the first legislation of its kind in the Midwest.
by Judith Ruiz-Branch Public News Service
CHICAGO - March is Women’s History Month and an organization advocating for end-of-life reform is highlighting the significant role of women from Illinois in driving the movement.
The state recently became the first in the Midwest to legalize medical aid in dying.
Callie Riley, regional advocacy director for Compassion & Choices, said Illinois residents Suzy Flack and Deborah Robertson were instrumental in getting the legislation passed. Riley noted the bill is nicknamed “Deb's Law” because of Robertson, who served as a leader despite living with a rare form of cancer.
"The work we do is really driven by the stories of people who are directly impacted by both good end-of-life care and end-of-life care that falls short," Riley explained. "In my experience, so many of our storytellers, our volunteers, our leaders, our advocates are women."
Riley pointed out Flack became an advocate after witnessing her son, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer, die peacefully and autonomously using medical aid in another state. Deb’s Law takes effect in Illinois in September.
Riley added the historical roots of the movement for better end-of-life-care dates back to the early HIV epidemic. Alternative care networks developed because people living with HIV and AIDS did not receive adequate care from the traditional medical system.
"It was predominantly women providing that care; queer women, straight women, people who knew and loved people who were living with HIV," Riley recounted. "To me, it's not surprising that has continued."
Riley stressed increased advocacy has created a dialogue about the importance of autonomy in end-of-life decisions, with supporters long pushing for medical aid in dying legislation in Illinois. It is currently legal in 12 other states.
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TAGS: Illinois women advocates, Deb’s Law Illinois, medical aid in dying Midwest, Compassion & Choices Illinois, end-of-life reform movement
As golf season begins, OSF HealthCare physical therapist Michael Hahndorf recommends beginning with home stretching routines and practice swings before visiting the driving range, starting with small buckets rather than large ones. Key elements of injury prevention include proper swing posture and daily stretching routines.
Photo: Kampus Productions/PEXELS
That first swing of golf season can come with risk if your body isn't ready. Tips for preventing injuries include stretching routines and practice swings maintaining proper posture throughout your swing.
by Paul Arco OSF Healthcare
Every year, more than 500 million golf rounds are played on courses across the country. And while anxious golfers are racing to local courses for a quick round, that first swing of the season can come with a risk if your body isn’t ready.
“I think about the low back, especially the population that plays golf tends to be a little bit older sometimes,” says Michael Hahndorf, a physical therapist with OSF HealthCare. The lower back, the shoulders. You think about the arms and wrists are important, but you don't want to forget about your foundation as well – your legs, your ankles, your knees, your hips, all that is important too. It goes back to just stretching and being more prepared for what's coming when you do play.”
Hahndorf recommends starting a stretching routine. Before starting any round, give yourself at least 10-15 minutes to properly stretch your back, hamstrings, abdominals, arms and shoulders to stay flexible. And make sure to get plenty of practice swings in before you head over to the first tee. Start with the smaller irons and work your way up to the driver and not just on the first hole with the first swing.
Walking nine or 18 holes can be challenging, especially if you’ve been mostly sedentary for the past several months. Even carrying a golf bag can cause back and shoulder pain.
Start walking to warm up
“Start to walk nice and easy. Get your body used to kind of physical activity again, taking some swings at home without even going to the driving range,” Hahndorf says. “It could be something as simple as going to the driving range and hitting a small bucket versus large, and then kind of working your way into nine holes for a little bit, and then slowly transitioning to those 18 holes. Because it's going to be a big change of pace from nine to 18 over the course of time.”
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Walking after months of inactivity can be challenging. To get back into top form, start with stretching and work up gradually to prevent early-season golf injuries.
For the most part, golf is a relatively safe sport, but injuries can happen, especially because of not using proper form or technique. The keys of a good swing include good posture, a stable lower back, and a slow relaxed swing. An early-season injury, especially during cooler temperatures, can really set back a golfer for a few days to weeks.
“When it comes to a good golf swing, you think about having good posture and having a flat back,” Hahndorf says. “Have your hips tucked underneath you, have your knees bent a little and those arms straight down. Posture plays a role importantly there, because it's going to allow for that rotation.”
And remember to spend some time stretching again following when the round is over. “It's important to stretch before to warm up but also afterwards, so you can kind of get ahead of some of that soreness. Because it can be tough for the first couple rounds,” says Hahndorf. “Just maintain just a gentle stretching routine for five to 10 minutes a day to keep that low back, hip, shoulder mobility kind of where it was when you ended.”
A little soreness is expected early in the golf season. But any pain that lingers or gets worse might call for physical therapy. Touch base with your medical provider with any nagging concerns.
“Just take care of your body. If something hurts, pay attention,” Hahndorf says. “You know how things are supposed to feel. So, if it feels off make sure you're reaching out if you need to.”
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TAGS: golf injury prevention tips stretching routine, lower back pain golf season prevention, OSF HealthCare physical therapy golf injuries, how to prepare body for golf season
Tyler Stratman spent years in debilitating back pain, unable to walk a city block without stopping — until a minimally invasive spine procedure gave him his life back the same day he had surgery.
by Colleen Reynolds OSF Healthcare
PEORIA - After years of chronic pain stripped away his active lifestyle, 36-year-old Tyler Stratman of Clinton, Illinois, says he has finally reclaimed his life thanks to a specialized spine procedure now available in Central Illinois.
Stratman, who once ran several miles a day while living in Chicago, says his life changed dramatically when persistent back pain began about two and a half years ago. What started as discomfort escalated into debilitating immobility.
Active lifestyle disrupted by chronic back pain
I don’t think I slept for probably four to five days...
The pain prompted Stratman to completely stop his habit of running four to five miles a day.
“Even walking down the street to get Starbucks, my whole entire body would just kind of charley horse. I would have to stop in between blocks and kind of do hamstring stretches and things like that. And you know I was only 33 years old. And so, it was a huge, huge part of my life taken away.”
An MRI eventually revealed a severe herniated disc in his lower spine. At its peak, Stratman describes unbearable pain and sleepless nights.
“I don’t think I slept for probably four to five days,” Stratman explains. “I would have to go out in the middle of the night. We have a treadmill and I would have to go out at like three or four in the morning to walk just to relieve something – just so I wouldn’t feel pain.”
Minimally invasive spine surgery offers new option in Central Illinois
Photo provided
Dr. Sohail Syed, MD
After exhausting non-surgical options including physical therapy, steroid injections and chiropractic care, Stratman was referred to neurosurgeon Sohail Syed, MD, who specializes in minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery.
Spine surgeons at OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute (OSF INI) Spine Institute perform approximately 1,000 spine surgeries each year, more than any other hospital system in the area and is the second largest program in Illinois. OSF HealthCare began using new minimally invasive spine surgery technology in June 2024, expanding treatment options for patients with certain spinal conditions. Since then, fellowship-trained spine surgeon Dr. Syed has performed 50 non-invasive spine surgeries using this advanced approach.
The endoscopic approach uses a small camera and specialized instruments inserted through a narrow pathway, avoiding the need for large incisions or significant tissue disruption.
Dr. Syed notes that in traditional spine surgery, surgeons often must remove bone and move a nerve aside to reach the problem area – steps the endoscopic technique can often minimize or avoid.
Endoscopic spine surgery reduces damage and recovery time
“Rather than going through all that, you can sneak underneath the nerve. And the endoscopic camera has an angle on it so it lets you look around the corner and work in the natural hole that exists in the spine without removing any bone or tissue and go right to the disc, remove the disc that’s pushing on the nerve or the bone spur and be in and out just using a one to two centimeter incision.”
Dr. Syed emphasizes that surgery is typically a last resort after conservative treatments fail but says Stratman was an ideal candidate due to both his condition and mindset.
“He was a great candidate for endoscopic spine surgery because of the type of disc herniation he had, the location, his age and his attitude,” Dr. Syed emphasizes, “He was really willing to do the work required after to get the best benefit from the surgery.”
Stratman ultimately chose the less invasive option that allowed surgeons to access his spine through a natural pathway while he remained partially awake. Though initially daunting, he says the decision became clear after years of suffering.
It offered him hope and following a two-and-a-half-hour procedure, the results were almost immediate.
Finding immediate relief
Non-invasive spine surgery
“It was an instant relief. The kind of like nugget charley horse I just felt like I had in my back for those years – it was just gone. I didn’t feel it anymore,” he explains.
Stratman was also relieved he didn’t have to travel to St. Louis or Chicago for the innovative surgical approach. He was back home the same day – seven hours after his surgery.
Dr. Syed notes that while some people experience immediate improvement, recovery timelines can vary depending on the severity and duration of nerve compression.
Photo: Courtesy OSF
Surgery removes whatever’s causing an injury, but Dr. Syed reminds people the procedure doesn’t repair injury.
The body has to heal on its own, and that can take time. For some older patients, Dr. Syed cautions it could mean a few months before they feel significantly better.
“While the nerve is being hurt, so is the muscle, so is the skin and for all of that to recover, it can take time – especially for older patients. So, if you wake up feeling great, that’s awesome. But if you don’t, give it at least three months.”
Now several months post-surgery, Stratman says he feels stronger and more mobile than ever.
“I’m better than I’ve ever been. I feel stronger than I ever have. My mobility is better than it ever has been. I feel more flexible and [I’m] sleeping fantastic.”
Stratman is not ready to start running again. Instead, he has adapted his routine with other forms of exercise, such as strength training and fast walking. He remains focused on long-term health.
For others facing similar decisions, both Stratman and Dr. Syed stress the importance of persistence, trust and informed care.
And for Dr. Syed, the ultimate goal is simple: meaningful improvement in patients’ lives.
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minimally invasive spine surgery Central Illinois | endoscopic spine surgery for herniated disc | OSF HealthCare spine surgery Bloomington | back pain treatment without major surgery Illinois
A global health expert's research revealed unexpected similarities between Iran and the United States—comparable life expectancy, higher literacy rates, and superior childhood immunization coverage—before U.S. and Israeli strikes began destroying hospitals, killing 160 schoolgirls, and creating food shortages. The data suggests Iranians lived lives not so different from Americans just weeks ago.
by Mary Anne Mercer, MPH, DrPH
My work in global health always nudges me to learn about places and people I read about in the news. Right now: Iran, of course. Though I’ve never been there, I knew it was an incredibly old civilization, dating back several millennia with a vibrant culture and elegant, stunning architecture from the past. In recent decades it’s been led by a dictatorial, hard-line Muslim, the Supreme Leader.
I investigated a few facts about the country because understanding how the health of people in other settings compares with ours is often enlightening. Iran is poorer economically than the U.S., so the population probably would have lower living standards, life expectancy, and literacy rates than we do. I’ve worked in public health in a number of low-income countries, so I also expected that use of important services like immunizations for children and family planning for women would be limited.
A quick web search revealed that, indeed, our population is much wealthier than Iran’s. That country has a median income of $4300, compared to the U.S. with around $19,300.
But the other assumptions didn’t fit what I expected. A surprising 100% of the population has access to electricity. Much lower life expectancy? No, they are not dying at young ages: the average Iranian man in 2024 would live to be 76 years old, not far behind the American man at 77 years. I also didn’t expect that most of the main causes of death were the same as ours – heart disease, stroke, hypertension and injuries. Adult literacy, an important social determinant of health, was even more perplexing: only 11% of Iranians were nonliterate in 2023, compared to 21% of Americans around that time.
Maternal and child health practices are important monitors of a population’s well-being. So, another surprise: over 99% of Iranian children have the full set of immunizations by age five--while in the U.S. that rate is only 94% and said to be dropping. For women, childbearing patterns hint at their roles in family decision-making. How does that work in this solidly Muslim country? Another puzzler: at today’s birth rates, both Iranian and American women will have, on average, fewer than two children over their lifetimes.
Pondering these numbers, I couldn’t escape the feeling that Iranians were, put simply, very much like us. They have strong families, send their children off to school every day, have basic conveniences and an efficient public health system.
Or at least they did, until the current military onslaught by the U.S. and Israel began. Since then, the devastation of the country has been relentless: bombing of military targets with unknown numbers of civilian deaths— including the well-documented strike that killed some 160 schoolgirls. Over a dozen hospitals have been bombed, a pall of toxic “black rain” has fallen on Tehran as a result of the destruction of oil facilities, and food shortages in the cities are under way. It appears, however, that to date the death, destruction and massive displacement inflicted on their country has only strengthened the determination of the Iranian leadership, and also perhaps its people, to endure.
At some point this war will end. Until then the people of Iran, whose everyday lives had not been so very different from ours just a few weeks ago, will continue to go to bed every night wondering what hell the Americans and Israelis will inflict their country the next day.
About the author ~
Dr. Mary Anne Mercer is a University of Washington public health faculty member and author whose four-decade career has focused on maternal and child health in developing nations. Beginning with her transformative year providing immunizations in rural Nepal in 1978, she has developed health projects in 14 countries and authored books including Beyond the Next Village (2022) and Sickness and Wealth: The Corporate Assault on Global Health. Her recent work strengthening midwifery care through mobile technology in Timor-Leste has been adopted as a national program.
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TAGS: Iran United States health comparison literacy immunization, Iran childhood vaccination rates 99 percent, U.S. Iran war civilian casualties hospitals bombed, global health perspective Middle East conflict
More than 2 million adults in Illinois have a mental health condition. Most don't know what their healthcare plan covers.
Photo: Vitaly Gariev/Unsplash
by Judith Ruiz-Branch Public News Service
With health insurance costs reaching an all-time high, experts are urging Illinoisans to know and use all of the health benefits they pay for.
Research shows more than half of Americans do not know the full scope of what their health insurance offers.
Paula Campbell, associate vice president of health access and emergency preparedness for the Illinois Primary Healthcare Association, said with Illinoisans facing an average 28% spike to their premiums, it has never been more important for people to be proactive about using all of their benefits.
She noted in Illinois, certified navigators like herself can help.
"Wellness programs is a very common one that is added to plans where they might get a gym membership discount, fitness trackers, or rewards for completing certain health screenings," Campbell outlined.
The state’s parity laws ensure all health plans cover mental health services at the same rate as medical services. Campbell added navigators can help identify and connect consumers with appropriate mental health providers within their plan networks.
Experts said more than 2 million adults in Illinois have a mental health condition.
Amy Jordan, vice president of consumer experience for UnitedHealthcare, said unique challenges in the behavioral health space continue to create gaps in care.
"We're seeing mental health on the rise, and it's certainly become a challenge and it's continued to be a sustained challenge," Jordan emphasized. "A lot of employers are looking at the opportunities to put specific resources in place to help get over the barrier."
Jordan noted UnitedHealthcare is focused on improving access to behavioral health services through partnerships and offering additional resources and tools for easier out-of-network reimbursement.
Illinois will receive $193 million a year for the next five years to expand health care access in rural areas. The funding comes from a new federal program created to offset Medicaid cuts included in H.R. 1.
by Nikoel Hytrek
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD - Illinois will receive $193 million for each of the next five years to expand health care access for the approximately 1.9 million people in rural areas — or about $101 annually for every rural Illinoisan.
The money comes from the $50 billion federal Rural Healthcare Transformation Program fund, which Congress created to offset federal Medicaid spending cuts included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or H.R. 1, that passed last summer.
But health care organizations said the money will not be enough to compensate for Medicaid cuts.
Photo by PEXELS/RDNE Stock Project
Illinois has 85 small and rural hospitals that serve as hubs for access to healthcare. Hospitals could be forced to reduce services like obstetrics, cut staff, or close entirely if government funding isn't sufficient.
“These funds are good, and we're going to put them to good use, but it's not a solution,” said Jordan Powell, senior vice president of health policy and finance for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association. “It's not going to mitigate the impact of the significant Medicaid cuts that are coming our way.”
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services said between 190,000 to 360,000 Medicaid recipients are at risk of losing coverage in Illinois because of new work requirements.
H.R. 1 also imposes a tighter cap on how much money states can raise for their Medicaid programs through provider taxes. The new limits will be phased in, starting in fiscal year 2028, and could reduce total Medicaid funding in Illinois by $4.5 billion a year by fiscal year 2031.
“Long term, we know a number of HR 1 provisions will have a devastating impact on healthcare in our state and present significant challenges with respect to maintaining equitable access to high-quality healthcare coverage for all Illinois residents,” the department said in a statement.
Illinois has 85 small and rural hospitals that serve as hubs for access to care for people who can’t travel long distances. Nearly 30% operate at a deficit, though, and most of the patients they serve are on Medicare or Medicaid, according to the Health and Hospital Association.
Photo: Anna Shvets/PEXELS
Increasing the workforce at rural hospitals is a priority that needs to be addressed.
Powell described the new federal money as a bandage, not a permanent solution for the cuts Illinois hospitals will face. As Medicaid reimbursement decreases, he said, hospitals could be forced to reduce services like obstetrics, cut staff, or close entirely.
Rural population is only a small part of grant consideration
The amount each state received ranged from $147 million for New Jersey to $281 million for Texas, and rural population appeared to be only a small factor in the equation.
That means states like Texas, with the largest rural population in the country, got far less per rural resident than states like Rhode Island, which has the smallest. Texas received $66 per rural resident and Rhode Island, with a total award of $156 million, received $6,305 per rural resident.
Half of the total $50 billion was awarded to states equally, but the other half was awarded based on specific factors such as a state’s current or planned policies for rural health care and proposed ideas that align with federal Make America Healthy Again priorities.
Among its neighbors, Illinois has the second-lowest award amount. Michigan, with its $173 million award, is the only state with less.
In the Midwest, Michigan’s rural population is slightly larger than Illinois’, but it received only $83 per person compared to Illinois’ $101. Iowa, with fewer rural residents than Illinois, got $139 per rural person.
Illinois’ Priorities
When filling out the application to the federal government, Illinois’ HFS consulted provider associations, rural hospitals, community health centers, community mental health centers, universities and community colleges, legislators and vendors.
According to the department, the state’s application focused on:
Increasing the number of health care workers in rural areas with education, scholarships, training and incentive programs.
Removing the barriers that rural residents face to getting health care by investing in mobile and telehealth services.
Changing the way rural health care systems run by creating regional partnerships.
The federal government indicated a preference for “transforming systems,” not just supporting ongoing operating expenses.
HFS said the hospital transformation grants will be a good tool for expanding its existing Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives to rural areas. The state launched the collaborative effort in 2021 to improve health care outcomes and reduce disparities across the state. It involves providers sharing resources to meet the health needs of multiple communities and expand access to services like preventative and specialty care.
“Team-based care, in partnership with hospitals and primary care practices, looks to improve access to care for rural residents by building out infrastructure and technology in order to increase access to specialty services, transform healthcare delivery, and overcome known geographic barriers for these communities,” the agency said in an emailed statement.
Powell said increasing the workforce and cybersecurity at hospitals are some of the top priorities. After that, he said, expanding rural broadband internet and upgrading electronic health records are important.
“Workforce and technology were two of the main things that we heard from our members,” he said. “I think the state wants to emphasize better partnerships and collaboration between providers.”
‘Not a long-term fix’
Despite allowing rural hospitals and health systems to make needed improvements, Powell said he still doesn’t think the money will be enough to make up for losing Medicaid payments.
“It’s kind of like supplemental funding that’s going to help them survive just a little bit longer,” he said. “I would actually say a significant portion of them are facing slim to negative margins, as is. And so this is funding that, again, will maintain some stability and viability for these organizations. But it's not a long-term fix.”
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
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TAGS: Illinois rural health care funding, Medicaid cuts impact Illinois hospitals, rural hospitals Illinois federal grants, Illinois Medicaid work requirements health care, Rural Healthcare Transformation Program Illinois
Having a sense of purpose can lead to increased energy, motivation, emotional stability and resilience on the road to a longer life.
Photo: Ghasoub Alaeddin from Pixabay
StatePoint Media - Living to 100 may sound extraordinary, but research suggests it’s more achievable—and enjoyable—than many people think. Studies show the majority of centenarians rate their health as good, and large numbers of people in this age group are mobile, active and optimistic.
According to the American Medical Association, adopting these seven habits can improve longevity and quality of life:
1. Eat healthy. Think of food as medicine. Choose nutritious, whole foods. Eat more fruits that are dark in color — blue, purple and red — to get the most nutrients, as well as fiber-rich vegetables, especially non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and leafy greens. Incorporate whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean meats and fish. Drink more water, or as an alternative, flavored or sparkling water with no added sugar.
Reduce your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and unhealthy ultra-processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Eat fewer processed meats, which tend to be high in fat and heavy on added salt and preservatives. Limit your intake of refined grains, such as breads, crackers, baked goods and white rice. Drink less alcohol.
2. Exercise. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity weekly. A recent study published in JAMA found that putting down the television remote and walking can improve healthy aging — highlighting the importance of small everyday habits.
3. Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep improves memory, reduces stress, improves mood, and primes the body’s natural defenses against disease. But sleep quality decreases with age. Improve your sleep quality by setting a regular bedtime and wake-up time, insulating your bedroom against noise, avoiding exercise within an hour of bedtime, maintaining a cool and dark bedroom, and limiting fluids within two hours of bedtime. Also avoid alcohol before bedtime and make your bedroom a tech-free zone as screen-time can impact your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
4. Live with purpose. A sense of purpose can lead to increased energy, motivation, emotional stability and resilience. Take time for self-reflection and try meditation or yoga. Prioritize your values and beliefs and put them into action toward a goal that’s meaningful to you and benefits others.
5. Stay positive. To bust stress, take a break from decisions, connect with others, pet your dog or cat, write a to-do list (stick to three items), take time to recharge, laugh, sing, curb clutter, set boundaries, perform mindfulness exercises, practice gratitude, and seek help from a professional when stress becomes overwhelming.
6. Stay connected. Research shows that having social connections is a significant predictor of longevity and better physical, cognitive and mental health, while social isolation and loneliness are significant predictors of premature death and poor health. Unfortunately, there is a nationwide loneliness epidemic that medical experts consider a major public health concern. Combat loneliness with social clubs and community groups, or by taking up a hobby, learning something new or volunteering. If you’re struggling with loneliness, reach out to a professional, your doctor, family member or friend. You can also call the 988 crisis helpline for support
7. Get screened. Schedule preventive care, tests and health screenings to help your doctor spot certain conditions before they become more serious. Your doctor can recommend needed tests based on your age, gender and health conditions — including colonoscopies, mammograms, gynecological and prostate exams, and vision screenings.
Today, there are many at-home screening options available. Some are more effective than others, and all work best – and minimize stress around results – when taken in consultation with a doctor.
For more resources on staying healthy, visit http://www.ama-assn.org.
“Everyone strives to live longer, but the goal should be to live as healthy as possible for as long as we live,” says AMA CEO John Whyte, MD, MPH. “Simple steps today – eating well, staying active, sleeping enough, and seeing your doctor – can add quality years, or even decades, to your life.”
by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator
Seems like yesterday that we were making New Year’s resolutions. Time flies by!
Glenn Mollette
Since time goes by so quickly the first resolution we all might consider making is to savor the moment. Every day is a gift and a celebration. Savor your work, family, friends, entertainment, hobbies, church, meals, nature and every aspect of life. Don’t rush 2026 because it will be over in the blink of your eye.
Plan your holidays in advance for 2026. Let’s make the holidays count. Consider celebrating the holidays in 2026 on days other than the actual holiday dates. Families can only be one place at a time. Why not have your get togethers a week or even two before? Celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas at different times so you can include more people and different places. Give it a thought for each holiday and I believe you will have more unrushed friend and family gatherings.
Schedule your doctor’s appointments and have your blood work done. None of us are excited about doctor’s appointments but blood work and checkups provide information we need to take care of these bodies.
Exercise this year. Exercise is moving your body. You can do this anywhere. Turn on your radio and dance in your house. Dance in your kitchen or garage. You don’t have to spend most of your day traveling to a gym and back. Turn on some music and in 20 to 30 minutes you can break into a sweat. Forty minutes is best but 20 to 30 minutes every day will rid your body of some sugar and toxins your liver and kidneys don’t need. Exercise is moving. Keep moving in 2026.
Cut back on red meat, fried foods and sugary desserts. Eating these items often will impact you negatively. Once or twice a month is far different than every day or two or three times a week.
Focus on teamwork in 2026. You can’t do everything. You can’t do everything for your children. You are only one person. You can be more successful with help. Good help is hard to find but families must work together. You can’t carry the financial burden for everyone else. Several people working together can accomplish most anything but if it all falls on one person then success will be more difficult if not impossible.
Plan to create good memories in 2026. Too often we spend our time reflecting on mistakes, sickness, death and unfortunate things that happened in the past. Determine to do something as often as you can that will create a good memory for you and others who might be impacted.
Think about what you want to accomplish in 2026 and try. What do you have to lose? If you don’t aim for a target then you hit nothing. Hitting something will be better than nothing. Think about it, even make a list.
Keep the fire burning. Don’t quit stirring the flame. Keep piling the wood on. Keep the fire hot. Too often we let the fire die. We get cold and feel empty. Don’t let your fire die. The fire keeps us warm. Warmth is energy and strength. It provides light.
Keep your faith strong. You can do a lot more with God than without Him. Let’s go 2026!
About the author ~
Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.
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The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.
Your toilet can aerosolize and throw germs up onto surfaces within about five feet. Make sure you're wiping flat areas down frequently. At least weekly, if not daily.
Photo: Nik/Unsplash
Minerals in toilet water can get stuck to the toilet bowl, which can also be a breeding ground for germs.
by Matt Sheehan OSF Healthcare
PEORIA - Bathrooms are filled with germ-breeding objects, and your toilet isn’t the sole culprit.
Showers, toothbrushes, soap dispensers and any surface can be added to the germy list, according to Kaylin Heinz, an infection preventionist RN with OSF HealthCare. Heinz offers some cleaning tips for the different areas of your bathroom.
Shower Cleaning tips
"When you're cleaning, go from top to bottom," Heinz says. “If you start cleaning your tub and then you clean your shower walls, you're going to have to re-clean the tub. When you're getting out of the shower, think about the moisture that's there. That's where the bacteria and fungus are going to grow, so you're going to want to get rid of that moisture if you can.”
The moisture buildup isn’t limited to linens, Heinz says. She recommends wiping down any moisture seen in the shower before getting out. Use a Squeegee, towel or paper towel to dry the area.
Normally, you should clean your shower at least once a week. If many people use the shower on a daily basis, or if someone is sick, Heinz says it is best to clean it every day.
Charles Gerba, PhD, a microbiology professor at the University of Arizona, told Reader’s Digest that bathmats and other fabrics are some of the dirtiest items, because people step on them with dirty shoes, and they stay wet and damp the longest.
Bathtubs’ path to bacterial and fungal infections
If you have a cut on your body, you can introduce bacteria or fungus to the area during a shower.
"You can get athlete's foot or a staph infection just through the tub and not cleaning," Heinz says. She adds the film on the bottom of the shower or bathtub is a clear sign of where bacteria is living. Make sure to scrub the area, clean it and let it dry completely. If you notice discoloration in your shower or bathtub, Heinz recommends cleaning it immediately.
Bathroom cleaning tips
"Your toilet can aerosolize and throw germs up onto surfaces within about five feet," Heinz says. “With flat surfaces, it can collect dust or other things that are in the air, so make sure you're wiping those down frequently. At least weekly, if not daily.”
Heinz recommends cleaning areas of your bathroom twice. The first time is for cleaning, the second time is for disinfecting. And don’t forget about the soap dispenser! Heinz says since this is one of the first places people reach to clean their hands, it’s one of the dirtiest places in the bathroom.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the surface you’re wiping stays wet the entire time of contact to make sure germs are killed. You should clean surfaces with water and soap and scrub them before sanitizing or disinfecting them.
According to the CDC, “Cleaning removes most germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces. Clean with water, soap and scrubbing. Sanitizing reduces germs to levels public health codes or regulations consider safe. Sanitizing is done with weaker bleach solutions or sanitizing sprays. Clean surfaces before you sanitize them. Disinfecting kills most germs on surfaces and objects. Disinfecting is done with stronger bleach solutions or chemicals.”
Don't mix multiple chemicals
"With any products that you're going to be using, I'd make sure you're looking at the warning labels. I would definitely not mix chemicals," Heinz says. “If you are going to use one chemical and then use another, I'd make sure that you're rinsing thoroughly, making sure it dries, and then you can use the next product.”
If you’re diluting a chemical-based product, the CDC says to only use water at room temperature. Adding that an extra safety precaution is to wear eye and skin protection (like gloves) and store chemicals out of children’s reach.
Don’t forget your toothbrush!
Does your toothbrush hang out on the bathroom counter? You might want to rethink that.
"If you keep your toothbrush on the counter, it likely has fecal matter on it. So, put your toothbrush away or switch it often and clean it,” Heinz says.
Stop the spread | Toilet style
Here’s a habit change you can consider. Instead of flushing the toilet and just walking away, close the lid before you flush and keep the germs inside.
"Make sure when you're flushing the toilet, go ahead and close the lid. That's going to minimize the number of germs that are spraying all over your bathroom and aerosolizing," Heinz says.
Heinz adds another fun fact about the dirtiness of toilets – the minerals in the water. She says the minerals in toilet water can get stuck to the toilet bowl, which can also be a breeding ground for germs.
If you exercise outside, wear proper clothing and know your limits. During outdoor activities, take breaks and go with a buddy. Keep a close eye on kids who may not realize how cold they are.
Photo: Anastasia Nagibina/PEXELS
One way to beat the cold this winter is to dress in layers. Older adults, people who work or do activities outside are at a higher risk of suffering from cold weather injuries.
by Tim Ditman OSF Healthcare
Photo provided
Maddy Draper, APRN
DANVILLE - It’s the dead of winter, and you need to run to the mailbox or let your dog out. It’s just a minute, you think. A sweater and sandals will be fine.
Not so fast, says Maddy Draper, APRN, a health care provider at OSF OnCall who sees cold weather injuries often. She says exposure to frigid temperatures can have serious consequences.
Types of cold weather injuries
Frostnip: Draper says this is a mild form of frostbite where exposure to cold temperatures turns the skin pink or red. Your skin may feel burning or numb.
“The numbness typically goes away with rewarming,” Draper says.
Frostbite: This is a more severe case of cold exposure. Your skin may be numb and appear yellow, white, gray or black. It may feel waxy and have blisters.
Hypothermia: This is when the body’s temperature drops below 95 degrees.
“There are different stages,” Draper explains. “The first is our natural response of shivering. It gets more severe. The person may get confused and have lethargy, memory loss and slurred speech. It can lead to a coma and death.”
Inside, too?
Yes, there’s a risk for these injuries inside, too, Draper says. Notably, there have been cases of infants getting hypothermia.
“The room may be too cold, and they’re not dressed appropriately,” Draper says. “If they’re in a bassinet or crib with just a onesie and it’s cold, that can lead to hypothermia.”
Signs of infant hypothermia are bright red skin and decreased energy. Sleep experts use a thermal overall grade scale (TOG) to suggest how much clothing a baby should wear to sleep depending on the temperature of the room.
Treatment
Draper says she usually sees cases of frostbite and hypothermia sent to the emergency department. Providers will rewarm you with warm water or blankets and may provide warm liquids to drink, warmed oxygen through a mask and nasal tube or heated fluids through an intravenous line (IV) or other methods. Medication can also help with pain and blood flow.
“The hospital has more imaging resources to see the impact of the tissue damage,” compared to urgent care, Draper says.
For frostnip, you can take steps to warm up at home.
“It’s not as fast as possible. It’s not as hot as possible. It’s just that gradual warming,” Draper says. “Get off your cool or wet clothes immediately. You don’t want to stick your hands or feet into hot, steaming water. Just warm water.”
That’s because hot water can burn your skin. And if your skin is numb, you may not feel the burn before the damage is done. If water is not available, you can place your hands in your armpits. And handle the sensitive skin gently. Don’t rub or massage it. If your feet are affected, get off your feet.
Prevention
Draper says older adults, people who work or do activities outside (like hunters or hikers), unhoused people and people with medical conditions (like peripheral artery disease, diabetes and Raynaud’s disease) are at a higher risk of cold weather injuries. Getting stranded in a vehicle without proper protection is also common in the winter. Drinking alcohol or using drugs may lead to you losing consciousness outside. And smoking impacts blood circulation, putting you at a higher risk, Draper says.
Some ways to beat the cold:
Dress in layers. You can always take a layer off, but you can’t put one on if you leave it at home. Make a hat, scarf, gloves and winter boots part of your wardrobe. Make sure the clothes aren’t too tight to allow for blood circulation. And look for water-resistant garments when buying clothes.
Have winter weather supplies, like blankets, flares, a first aid kit and food, in your vehicle.
Be well fed and hydrated. Body fat, though unhealthy in excess, helps us stay warm. For drinks, avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
During outdoor activities, take breaks and go with a buddy. Keep a close eye on kids who may not realize how cold they are. Come inside to change from wet to dry clothes. Let others know your plans and when you’ll be back. If you’re not back in time, that’s a sign you may have fallen victim to the cold, and help should be sent.
Key takeaways:
Cold, snowy weather makes it more difficult to exercise. The tips above will help you stay active.
Exercise in the daylight. It's a mood boost and is safer.
If you exercise outside, wear proper clothing and know your limits.
Indoor workouts can make use of your surroundings, like using water bottles as weights. Make sure there is nothing that would cause injury, like a slippery floor.
The recent government shutdown revealed a deeper issue beyond the nine lawmakers who voted to reopen it. Fifty Republican Senators refused to discuss healthcare solutions at all.
byDr. Julie A. Kent Guest Commentary
In the aftermath of the recent government shutdown, much of the public debate has centered on the nine lawmakers—eight Democrats and one Independent—who broke ranks and voted to end the stalemate. Their decision has drawn both criticism and defense. But focusing solely on those nine misses the larger, more troubling reality: the fifty Republican Senators who refused to engage in any serious discussion about healthcare.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was not perfect. It did not solve every problem in our healthcare system, and its subsidies and tax rebates were far from flawless mechanisms of payment. Yet the ACA undeniably expanded access to affordable care for millions of Americans. It encouraged preventive care for those who otherwise would have gone without. It made healthcare a possibility, not a luxury.
We cannot afford representatives who put party loyalty above the needs of the country.
And still, fifty Republican Senators could not bring themselves to even sit at the table to explore alternatives. They did not debate, they did not negotiate, they did not propose solutions. They simply refused. That refusal is not just political maneuvering—it is a betrayal of ordinary Americans who depend on healthcare to live, work, and thrive.
Had the nine Senators who “caved” held firm, the government would likely still be shut down. SNAP recipients would be relying on food banks. Federal employees would still be struggling to work without pay. Perhaps, eventually, the mounting human cost would have forced Republicans to acknowledge the value of healthcare. But the real condemnation belongs to those who let the shutdown drag on without addressing the root issue.
Some of these Senators will face reelection in 2026. Others will retire, leaving their seats open. Regardless, the lesson is clear: we cannot afford representatives who put party loyalty above the needs of the country. We need Senators who will speak out for their constituents, who will negotiate in good faith, who will wrestle with hard problems rather than avoid them.
Healthcare is not a partisan talking point, it is a human right.
The Senators who refused to act are holding back women, neglecting children, ignoring veterans, and indulging in self-aggrandizement at the expense of taxpayers. They coerced federal employees into working without pay rather than confronting the healthcare crisis. That is not leadership, it is abdication.
If these Senators will not wrestle with the real problems facing our nation, then voters must replace them with people who will. Midterm elections are not just another political cycle; they are an opportunity to demand accountability. Healthcare is not a partisan talking point, it is a human right. And those who refuse to recognize that truth should no longer hold the power to decide our future. Here are the Senators up for re-election in 2026 that let the American people down:
Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia
Bill Cassidy, Louisiana
Susan Collins, Maine
John Cornyn, Texas
Tom Cotton, Arkansas
Steve Daines, Montana
Joni Ernst, Iowa
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
Bill Hagerty, Tennessee
Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi
Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming
Roger Marshall, Kansas
Mitch McConnell, Kentucky
Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma
Pete Ricketts, Nebraska
Jim Risch, Idaho
Mike Rounds, South Dakota
Dan Sullivan, Alaska
Thom Tillis, North Carolina
Tommy Tuberville, Alabama
Dr. Julie Kent has spent over 20 years supporting simulation for US Army training. She earned a PhD from UCF and supports the Anthropology Speaker Series on campus. Dr. Kent has been championing options for healthcare since the 1970s. She lives with her husband in Baldwin Park.
TAGS: senate refusal to debate healthcare during shutdown, impact of government shutdown on healthcare access, 2026 senate elections healthcare accountability, analysis of republican senators’ healthcare inaction, consequences of stalled healthcare negotiations in congress, voter response to congressional inaction on healthcare policy
by Judith Ruiz-Branch
