5 reasons more Americans are cutting off their own parents, according to psychologist

Cutting off family members is becoming more and more common, leading experts to consider the drivers of the division.

A 2025 YouGov survey found that 38% of U.S. adults are estranged from at least one family member, including siblings, parents, children or grandparents.

Based on his research and work in the field of family estrangement, Dr. Richard L. Blake, a British psychologist and author based in Austin, Texas, shared the following five factors that he believes commonly contribute to fractured family relationships.

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A longstanding study of more than 2,000 mother-adult child relationships found that "value dissimilarity" was a strong predictor of estrangement, suggesting that differing beliefs may play a large role in family rifts.

"That could be political values, that could be gender ideology," Blake told Fox News Digital.

"There were people more likely to cut off someone for having a different opinion than for people who have done serious violent crimes," he said. "So certainly, political differences are a big problem."

Heavy social media use has been linked to poorer parent-child relationships. A study of nearly 9,800 teens found that spending more than two hours a day on social media was linked to significantly greater odds of negative relationships with one or both parents.

Blake believes social media may also normalize family estrangement by exposing users to viral "no contact" stories and encouraging what he described as "word-of-mouth mimicry."

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"Someone might see a video on TikTok — 'I cut off my parents, and I'm much happier now. They were toxic narcissistic boundary crossers. And now I'm great,'" he said. "And people mimic that. Or they think, 'Oh, this person's getting a lot of attention.'"

Although he acknowledged that there are no long-term studies that have definitively documented an increase, "that doesn't mean absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence."

According to Blake, society has shifted away from what he described as a "dignity culture" toward one that places greater value on "victim culture."

"So now it's a race to the bottom," he said. "If you don't have enough victim status because of the way you were born, you can create a victim status by suggesting your parents abused you or neglected you … and therefore you have value, a reason to cut them off."

The expert also pointed to what he described as "therapy culture," claiming that changing attitudes toward trauma and abuse have influenced how some people view relationships with their parents.

"Another justification is, ‘I cut off my parents to protect my mental health’ — and this is a sort of false belief," he told Fox News Digital. "There is this huge bias that if you're struggling in your adult life, it must be because your parents did something they shouldn't or didn't do something."

Blake argued that family relationships remain one of the strongest protective factors for mental health.

"Families are one of the most evidence-based buffers against mental illness," he said. "There’s this myth that families are not important."

The psychologist pointed to a well-known Minnesota study of adopted twins, which found that twins often resembled their biological parents more than the adoptive parents who raised them.

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He also cited a 2024 study led by German sociologist Karsten Hank, which found that adults estranged from parents or siblings reported lower life satisfaction and more depressive symptoms than those who maintained family relationships.

"So it seems like it's certainly a health event for parents who get cut off, and it's probably a negative health event for the kids or the adult children who are doing the cutoff," he said. "It's this lie they're getting sold on social media: ‘Cut off your parents and your mental health will be better.’"

The way families communicate during conflict can determine whether disagreements escalate into long-term estrangement, according to Blake.

It’s important to listen first, he said, noting that "hostage negotiation" can be useful in these scenarios.

"[That means] listening to the other person and then repeating back what they said as you understood it and validating that … and then waiting until that person's really finished before you give your side of it."

Blake also raised the issue of "moralized language," or "therapy words" that get thrown at parents — "such as abuse, toxic, boundaries, narcissists, gaslighting."

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"When you use moralized language like that, compromise becomes far more difficult," he said.

"So I tell parents to pause before they really react ... and then say back, ‘Okay, you've used the word toxic. Can you describe the behavior or behaviors that you consider to be toxic?’ Then you're dealing with facts and events, rather than who’s a better person or who's the worst person."

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The psychologist also recommends starting with "I" statements rather than using the word "you," and also avoid using the words "always" and "never."

Finally, Blake said that outside influences — including romantic partners and evolving parenting philosophies — can also contribute to family estrangement.

Those outside influences may differ by gender, he noted, with romantic partners often playing a larger role for men.

As an example, Blake pointed to public figures such as Brooklyn Beckham and Prince Harry, suggesting that romantic partners can sometimes influence how people view their relationships with family members.

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Conflicting parenting philosophies may also strain family relationships, as adult children and grandparents sometimes disagree over how children should be raised, according to Blake.

"Parenting styles are obviously different, and they've changed a lot over the last few years," he said.

"If you look at the outcomes of the gentle parenting or the permissive parenting that we've slipped into, we have the most mentally ill generation in history, the least fit for adulthood," Blake suggested. "Perhaps we should be learning from our grandparents more than the therapists."

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Tick-borne 'rabbit fever' spreads with cases reported near major metro area

Health officials on Long Island are warning residents about a rare but potentially serious tick-borne illness.

Three probable cases of tularemia — also known as "rabbit fever" — have been confirmed by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS).

"SCDHS currently has three probable cases of tularemia this year," the agency said in a statement provided to local outlets. "Confirmation of a tularemia diagnosis requires a combination of laboratory testing and fulfillment of specific clinical or epidemiologic criteria. The laboratory testing to confirm a tularemia diagnosis may take several weeks."

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One case involved a 9-year-old patient who was bitten by a tick while playing outside, according to NBC4 New York. After the tick was removed, he later developed high fever, severe head and neck pain, swollen lymph nodes/glands, body aches and extreme fatigue.

After multiple doctor visits and nearly a month of illness, an infectious disease specialist diagnosed the boy with tularemia.

Although the family's yard is home to wild rabbits, the patient's mother said he never handled the animals. Doctors believe infected ticks likely fed on the rabbits before biting the boy, transmitting the bacteria, according to reports.

Caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis, the disease commonly infects rabbits, hares and rodents. However, it is zoonotic, which means it can spread from animals to humans.

The bacteria is a "tier-1 select agent," a classification given to agents and toxins that "present the greatest risk of deliberate misuse with significant potential for mass casualties or devastating effects to the economy, critical infrastructure or public confidence, and pose a severe threat to public health and safety," per the CDC.

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Although tularemia remains rare, with 196 U.S. cases reported in 2023, the disease has become more common in recent years. CDC surveillance found 2,462 cases between 2011 and 2022 — a 56% increase in incidence compared with the previous decade (2001–2010).

Daniel Ruderfer, M.D., chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Hackensack Meridian K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in New Jersey, believes that the increase in cases is mostly due to improved microbiology detection methods.

"The traditional method of confirming cases has historically been via growth in culture and antibody testing," he previously told Fox News Digital.

"However, newer detection methods, such as PCR testing, are likely a major contributor to the increase in reported cases."

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Humans can contract the disease through bites from deer flies or ticks, contact with infected animals, or exposure to contaminated water or aerosols, the same source stated.

Symptoms of tularemia can vary depending on the type of disease. General symptoms include chills, headache, malaise, fatigue, anorexia, myalgia, chest discomfort, cough, severe sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, according to Ruderfer.

"Depending on the location of the infected bit or scratch, people can develop localized lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes) and a cutaneous ulcer at the infection site," he said.

"Other manifestations include conjunctivitis, pneumonia and potentially even bloodstream infections."

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The death rate from the disease is typically low, less than 2%, but the CDC noted that it can be as high as 24% in rare, severe cases.

Tularemia can be treated with antibiotics, but no vaccine is currently available.

"The infection is absolutely dangerous and potentially life-threatening if not treated with appropriate antibiotics," said Ruderfer.

Those most at risk include children between 5 and 9 years of age, older men, American Indian and Alaskan Native people, and those living in central U.S. states, according to the report.

The general population is not at an "obvious" risk for infection unless they come into physical contact with an infected rabbit, tick or deer fly, the expert noted.

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Those who hunt or interact routinely with rabbits should see a doctor if they develop any concerning symptoms, he advised.

"Many factors might contribute to the higher risk for tularemia in this population, including the concentration of Native American reservations in central states and sociocultural or occupational activities that might increase contact with infected wildlife or arthropods," the CDC wrote.

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Popular weight-loss drugs may help protect against a deadly disease, doctor says

GLP-1 medications have transformed diabetes and obesity treatment, but emerging research suggests their benefits could extend far beyond those purposes — potentially even aiding in cancer prevention and survival.

Dr. Loren Rourke, a Texas-based board-certified breast cancer surgeon, author and speaker, said growing research suggests glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications — including Ozempic and Wegovy — may be associated with a lower risk of cancer diagnoses and recurrence. 

She pointed to findings presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, where researchers reported an association between GLP-1 use and lower breast cancer recurrence rates, as well as a potential role in preventing the disease.

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However, she noted that the evidence remains observational and can’t prove that the drugs reduce cancer risk.

"So these aren’t studies that, unfortunately, patients can latch onto, call their doctor and say, ‘I want to get on a GLP-1 right now to reduce my risk of breast cancer or make my breast cancer better,’" Rourke told Fox News Digital. "However, what it did do was shine the light on GLP-1s and that relationship."

The main reason that GLP-1s may aid in cancer prevention, according to Rourke, is that the drugs promote weight loss and reduce chronic inflammation.

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"GLP-1s cause a decrease in your BMI. They cause weight reduction," she told Fox News Digital. "We know that a lower BMI equals a better prognosis with breast cancer."

"So if the secondary effect of taking a GLP-1 means you’re going to lose weight, then that’s a benefit, because we know you’re going to do better with breast cancer."

Diabetes and obesity medications can also lower estrogen production associated with excess body fat, the surgeon noted.

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"The more fat you have, the higher your estrogen production," Rourke said. "You’re kind of bathing your body in estrogen, so to speak. So it intuitively makes sense that we are seeing this correlation or association."

GLP-1s also decrease the inflammatory state in which cancer thrives, the surgeon noted.

"So if it’s fixing the overall chronic inflammation of the body, that’s going to help for a lot of reasons," she said.

"I think this is going to extend beyond breast cancer, but we need to get that scientific proof of a direct cause — is this just an association or a correlation?"

Rourke emphasized that researchers have not yet proven that GLP-1 medications directly affect breast cancer cells.

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"But this study has now garnered enough attention, interest and scientific hypotheses that the work is getting started for the randomized controlled trials that we’re all waiting for — and then we can act upon those."

To patients who are considering starting GLP-1s, Rourke offered the following advice.

"My bottom-line message on this one is, if you have an elevated BMI, you’re trying to lose weight, you’ve tried a healthy diet, you’ve tried to exercise, and you’re not winning that fight, consider GLP-1s, and you’re going to get a secondary benefit."

In particular, post-menopausal women who are struggling with weight gain could get an extra benefit, Rourke added, but she urges them to "call their doctor and have that one-on-one conversation."

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Living longer could hinge on one surprising dietary change, study review suggests

Eating less protein, not cutting calories, may be an easier path to a longer, healthier life for sedentary adults, according to a new scientific review.

While previous research has long tied calorie restriction to improved lifespan and lower rates of age-related disease, studies have found that many people have difficulty maintaining strict low-calorie diets.

A review of more than 350 studies published in the journal Cell Press Blue suggests that targeted protein restriction can deliver similar metabolic benefits without the need to cut calories.

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Across the reviewed studies, lower protein intake was associated with better metabolism, altered nutrient signaling, reduced cellular damage and improved cellular maintenance, according to the published review.

Much of the benefit stems from a metabolic hormone known as fibroblast growth factor 21, or FGF21. Restricting protein triggers a surge in FGF21, which animal studies have shown can boost energy expenditure, reduce inflammation, improve blood sugar control and extend lifespan.

Researchers highlighted three essential amino acids that are building blocks of protein — methionine, isoleucine and valine. Under certain conditions, they may contribute to biological pathways associated with aging under certain conditions.

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For people who don't exercise regularly, high levels of these amino acids may keep certain growth-related processes constantly active. Over time, that stimulation can create cellular damage, systemic inflammation and weight gain.

"It's absolutely crystal-clear that there are benefits of protein for muscle growth and exercise response of active individuals," said Dudley Lamming, the paper’s corresponding author and a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"But because most people are relatively sedentary, many people are likely consuming more protein than they actually need, which probably has negative health consequences," he added in the press release.

There were some limitations to the study findings. Because the paper is a scientific review rather than a new clinical trial, it identifies patterns across existing research but cannot establish cause and effect in humans, the researchers acknowledged.

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Longer-term human studies are still needed to determine whether these metabolic benefits ultimately translate into increased lifespan, they noted.

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The review emphasizes that protein needs are not one-size-fits-all, and that the findings should not be interpreted as a recommendation to consume inadequate amounts.

Physically active people and athletes process protein differently. Exercise helps to direct dietary amino acids toward building and repairing muscle instead of leaving excess amino acids to be processed by the body, the researchers noted.

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High protein intake is also crucial for pregnant women and older adults who may face age-related muscle loss.

For the broader, largely inactive population, the findings suggest that public health guidelines should move away from sweeping recommendations and instead tailor protein targets to a person's age and activity level.

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Michigan reports 2 deaths in rare parasite outbreak that has sickened more than 11,000

Two people in Michigan have died in connection with the state's sprawling cyclosporiasis outbreak, marking a rare fatal outcome from the intestinal parasite, health officials said Monday.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said the deaths were identified as part of the ongoing outbreak, which has so far sickened 11,234 people statewide. As of Thursday, 193 people with reported infections said they had been hospitalized.

According to the agency, medical records showed both people who died "had significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration." Officials said no additional information about the cases will be released.

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State health officials are continuing to investigate the source of the outbreak and said available evidence points to lettuce or salad greens as a potential culprit. However, investigators cautioned that other food items have not been ruled out, and no specific type of produce, grower or supplier has been identified.

MDHHS said it is working with local health departments and other partners as the investigation continues and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. The hallmark symptom of a cyclospora infection is watery, often "explosive" diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says. Other symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss.

Health officials emphasized that cyclosporiasis is generally not considered a life-threatening illness and that deaths associated with the infection are uncommon in the United States.

Fox News Digital's Angelica Stabile contributed to this report.

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Forget the gym: A 30-second test may be one of the best indicators of longevity

As more Americans prioritize staying mobile and independent as they age, experts are pointing to a surprisingly simple measure of health.

The number of times a person can rise from a chair in 30 seconds can be an indicator of lower-body strength, which is closely linked to mobility, functional fitness and healthy aging.

Interest in the test appears to be growing, with online searches for "sit to stand exercise" up 287% over the past three months, according to Google Trends analysis.

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The CDC's STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) program states that the purpose of the 30-second chair stand test is to assess leg strength and endurance, with below-average scores indicating increased fall risk.

Bruno Pontes, an ACSM- and AFAA-certified personal trainer at Muscle Booster in California, shared what the sit-to-stand test actually measures and why experts consider it a strong indicator of fitness.

Nick Schofield, a tactical athlete physical coach in the U.K., also provided a video demonstration of the exercise for Muscle Booster.

"What makes this test a great measure of fitness is that it simulates the everyday movement of getting up and down from a chair, compared to machine-based strength tests, which instead isolate muscle groups," Pontes told Fox News Digital.

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"The sit-to-stand test is an excellent indicator of lower-body strength, muscular endurance, balance and mobility," Pontes said. It is also commonly used by healthcare professionals to help assess fall risk in older adults.

While there are several iterations of the sit-to-stand test, the 30-second chair stand test is the go-to exercise endorsed by public health organizations like the CDC, the expert noted.

The sit-to-stand test is easy to perform at home, Pontes said, as the only thing needed is a sturdy chair. He outlined the following steps.

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"As an important note, anyone with significant balance problems, recent surgery, severe joint pain or cardiovascular concerns should consult a healthcare professional before performing the test," Pontes advised.

What is seen as a "good" score varies from person to person and is dependent on a number of factors, including age and gender, Pontes said.

"However, the following benchmarks are good to aim for to measure your lower-body strength," he added. These benchmarks are based on how many full stands can be completed in 30 seconds from a standard-height chair.

"It is important not to obsess over the number you achieve — the focus should be on the ease of movement and making daily functions easier," Pontes said.

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"If rising from a chair becomes easier over time, that's a great indicator that lower-body strength and functional fitness are improving," he went on. "If you fall below the target number, don’t worry — there are many different exercises you can implement into your daily routine to help strengthen your lower body."

The following exercises can be executed at home to help improve your sit-to-stand performance, according to Pontes. These moves help to build strength in the quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves.

Squats

"Squats help to build strength primarily in the quadriceps and glutes, while also engaging the hamstrings and core," Pontes told Fox News Digital. "They are also a great exercise for seniors, as they place limited amounts of stress on your hips and spine."

Squats can be performed by standing with the feet shoulder-width apart and lowering the hips back and down into a seated position. Be sure to keep the back straight and chest up.

Lunges

"These low-impact exercises can help identify any strength imbalances that may be affecting mobility and stability, as each leg works independently," Pontes said.

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To perform a lunge, stand with the feet shoulder-width apart and step forward with one leg, creating a right angle at the knee. The front knee should sit directly over the ankle/heel and should not extend past the toes.

Hold this position briefly before pushing through the heel on the front foot to engage the glutes and return to the starting position, then repeat for the other leg.

Calf raises

"Calf raises help keep the calf muscles strong and functional as we age, to support everyday, functional movements," Pontes said.

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Stand with the feet hip-width apart, keeping an upright posture and engaging the core. Slowly push through the balls of the feet to raise the heels off the floor as high as possible. Pause briefly at the top, then lower the heels back down to the ground with control.

As people age, they become more susceptible to sarcopenia, the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength over time, according to Pontes. This can make routine activities more difficult and increases the risk of injury.

"Lower-body strength plays a vital role in maintaining independence because it supports many of the movements we rely on every day, such as climbing stairs, getting up from chairs, carrying groceries and walking confidently," the fitness expert noted.

Maintaining strength in the legs and hips helps to preserve mobility and lower the risk of falls and injury, Pontes said.

"This mobility helps enable people to remain active and keep moving freely through their later years."

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Early eating habits could have lasting effects on dementia risk, study suggests

Consuming less sugar during pregnancy and the first years of life may lower the risk of developing dementia decades later, according to new research.

A study published in Neurology found that people who were exposed to less sugar before birth and during their first one to two years of life had up to a 23% lower risk of developing dementia compared with those born after sugar became widely available again.

Researchers examined the health records of more than 64,000 people in the United Kingdom who were born before and after World War II sugar rationing ended in 1953.

People who experienced lower sugar intake before birth and through their first year of life had a 21% lower risk of dementia, while those whose sugar intake remained limited through age two had a 23% lower risk, researchers found.

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The study also found that people with lower sugar exposure early in life developed dementia an average of 2.6 years later than those who consumed more sugar.

"Our findings suggest that limiting sugar during the earliest stages of life may have lasting benefits for brain health," study author Jiazhen Zheng of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology said in the press release.

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Dariush Mozaffarian, director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, who was not involved in the study, said the research raises an interesting question but cautioned against drawing firm conclusions.

"I'm impressed with the researchers' creativity, pulling together information across decades to look at this question, but the findings are not convincing," Mozaffarian told Fox News Digital.

He said many other factors likely differed between people born during and after wartime, including overall nutrition and calorie intake, making it difficult to know whether sugar alone explains the difference.

Still, Mozaffarian said the broader guidance for pregnant women remains the same.

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"Ultimately, we know from other research that women who are pregnant should consume the healthiest foods possible for both their own health and that of their baby," he told Fox News Digital.

He recommended focusing on minimally processed foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, fermented dairy products and fish while limiting ultra-processed foods high in sugar, starch and salt.

Researchers stressed that the study found only an association between early-life sugar intake and dementia risk and does not prove that reducing sugar directly prevents the disease.

Researchers also noted several limitations, including that the study used exposure to a historical rationing policy as a proxy for individual sugar intake and could not eliminate the influence of other differences between the groups.

As a result, the findings cannot establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between lower sugar intake early in life and a reduced risk of dementia.

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