Athletes lawmakers and health experts unite to promote CPR and AED training

Fewer than 40% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients receive CPR before EMS teams arrive, according to the American Heart Association. Even fewer patients are treated with an automated external defibrillator or AED. 

New initiatives and partnerships are working to change that, with the goal of doubling the survival rate for heart attacks.

"The idea is to ensure that lifesaving policies are in place at the high school level to make sure that our kids, if they suffer sudden cardiac arrest, have the best possible chances of success," said Jeff Miller, the NFL's executive vice president for health and safety innovation.

The NFL and other professional sports leagues are working with the Red Cross and the American Heart Association to promote their Smart Heart Coalition.

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"With schools being a focal place for gathering in the community, it's really important that we have emergency response plans," said Nancy Brown, the American Heart Association's CEO. 

"We know that although the statistics are true, that older people are more likely to have a cardiac arrest or a cardiovascular event, young people still have these events as well. So we want to be sure that someone is prepared everywhere to save a life."

When Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed during a live Monday Night Football game about six months ago, his team’s doctors were prepared.

"The people were in place; they were practiced," said Miller. "They had trained their emergency action plan. They knew to take Damar to a level one trauma center when he was evacuated from the field. They had the device there and they knew what to do with it."

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Miller said the NFL and Hamlin wanted to take advantage of all the attention received from this incident — and encourage everyone to have a response plan.

"We learned a lot and have tried to share a lot," Miller said. "But at the high school level, obviously they don't have the same sort of resources or setup that the NFL does. And so we want to translate some of those learnings alongside the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross and others to make sure that our schools are in the best possible place to help out kids who might need it."

Every year, an estimated 350,000 people experience a heart attack outside the hospital. One in 300 kids has an undetected heart condition.

"There isn't sufficient awareness. Parents, coaches and others should insist upon these very basic, simple, easy-to-enact solutions to what is a thankfully not very common, but at the same time all too common phenomenon," Miller said. 

"Those deaths are simply preventable by these three simple policy adjustments: CPR education, an emergency action plan and the availability of an AED nearby [within] one to three minutes of an athletic contest or practice so the kid can be saved."

Athletes and health officials have also taken the effort to Capitol Hill. Lawmakers have introduced the Access to AEDs Act, which would provide additional funding for schools.

"It’s grants that would enable communities and athletic facilities to get access," Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) said.

Welch said a reaction plan is important, and a quick response helped save his brother’s life.

"My brother was playing basketball and he collapsed. They had, right there at this gym, a defibrillator," Welch said. 

"And 20 years later, John's still playing basketball. So we're really grateful in the Welch family that this community has done it."

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Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall is a medical doctor. He believes if more people know where AEDs are located and how to use them, they can help save additional lives.

"The chances of a person surviving this goes up from one out of 10 to three out of 10 if someone's able to start CPR. It probably goes up to seven out of 10 if we have an AED available as well," Marshall said. 

"I'm committed to getting them across the country in the right locations, but also figuring out everyone should have some type of an app downloaded that could show us those locations."

Medstar Health in Washington, D.C., is partnering with professional athletes from the Washington Capitals, Mystics and Wizards to demonstrate how to perform CPR and how to use an AED.

"Getting the athletes on board, with their star power, definitely makes people excited about it," Dr. Alex Koo said. 

When they show "how easy it is without any training, I think people can get really excited about and say, ‘Hey, I can do it as well.'"

Medstar hopes the videos make people more comfortable about learning and performing CPR.

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"Black communities, as well as Hispanic communities, sometimes don't have as high rates of bystander CPR. And so that's something that we want to highlight, that this is something that's accessible to everybody," Dr. Koo said.

CPR training no longer includes mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The American Heart Association also says that hands-only CPR can really make a difference.

"We recognized that mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was a barrier for some people in administering CPR," Brown told Fox News. "Generally cardiac arrests, if they are witnessed, are generally witnessed by someone who knows the person that might be having the cardiac arrest. So the skill of learning CPR is really important because you might be saving the life of someone you know and love."

The American Heart Association believes that while formal CPR training is important, simple videos and easy-to-learn methods can still help save lives.

"We do intend at the AHA to create a ‘Nation of Lifesavers’ and we encourage everyone to learn CPR," Brown said. "I think that CPR and AED training should be part of everyone's summer safety plan."

You can watch Medstar’s videos at MedStarHealth.org/CPR. 

If you are interested in getting CPR-certified or learning to use an AED, you can find a class in your area at CPR.heart.org.

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Surprising brain boost: Brushing your teeth may reduce the risk of dementia new study suggests

New research published in the journal Neurology suggests that brushing your teeth boosts the brain — helping to reduce the risk of dementia.

People with good dental hygiene had more neurons in the hippocampus, the study found; the hippocampus plays a role in memory.

Gum disease and tooth loss were linked with less gray matter and declining mental health.

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These findings have clinical implications as regular visits to the dentist may help prevent Alzheimer's, scientists pointed out.

Said lead author Dr. Satoshi Yamaguchi, of Tohoku University in Japan, "Tooth loss and gum disease, which is inflammation of the tissue around the teeth that can cause shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth, are very common," SWNS, the British news service, reported of the findings.

"So evaluating a potential link with dementia is incredibly important," he also said. 

"Our study found these conditions may play a role in the health of the brain area that controls thinking and memory — giving people another reason to take better care of their teeth."

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Chewing boosts blood and oxygen flow to the head — keeping the brain healthy. 

Tooth loss may also lead to unhealthy eating.

Gum disease is caused by inflammation of tooth-supporting tissues. It affects about one in seven adults.

The study involved 172 Japanese participants whose average age was 67; they did not have memory problems at the outset.

For those with mild gum disease, fewer teeth was associated with a faster rate of brain shrinkage in the left hippocampus — key for remembering words and language.

The same phenomenon was identified in those with severe gum disease and more teeth.

Said Dr. Yamaguchi, "These results highlight the importance of preserving the health of the teeth and not just retaining the teeth. The findings suggest retaining teeth with severe gum disease is associated with brain wasting."

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He also said, "Controlling the progression of gum disease through regular dental visits is crucial, and teeth with severe gum disease may need to be extracted and replaced with appropriate prosthetic devices."

In mild and severe gum disease, one less or one more tooth was equivalent to nearly one year and 1.3 years of brain aging, respectively, the study noted.

Participants underwent dental exams and memory tests. 

They also had brain scans to measure the volume of the hippocampus at the beginning of the study — and again four years later, as SWNS reported of the results.

For each participant, researchers counted the number of teeth and checked for gum disease by looking at periodontal probing depth, a measurement of the gum tissue.

Healthy readings are from one to three millimeters.

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Mild gum disease involves probing depths of three or four mms in several areas, and severe gum disease five or six mms as well as more bone loss.

It can cause teeth to become loose and eventually fall out.

Dr. Yamaguchi said future studies are needed with larger groups of people.

Last year an international study of more than a million people found those with poor dental hygiene were 21% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

Previous studies linked gum disease to diabetes and cardiovascular illnesses. It can even lead to chronic systemic inflammation.

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The new study does not show causation between gum disease or tooth loss and Alzheimer's disease; it only shows an association.

Currently over 55 million people have dementia worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, with over 60% living in low-and middle-income countries. Every year, there are nearly 10 million new cases.

Dementia results from a variety of diseases and injuries that affect the brain, the WHO also notes on its website. 

Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases.

Dementia is right now the seventh leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people globally, the WHO says.

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What is scoliosis? Causes and symptoms of the spinal condition treatment plans and more

Scoliosis is a spinal condition that occurs when there is an abnormal curve of the spine.

Often, scoliosis cases are mild and do not need extensive treatment, but there are very severe cases that require surgery and crucial care for the spine.

Scoliosis is typically diagnosed through X-rays.

The cause in an overwhelming number of cases is unknown.

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Here is everything that you need to know about scoliosis, including the different types and the variety of treatment options that are available for the condition. 

For some 80% of scoliosis cases, the direct cause is unknown. 

This is called idiopathic scoliosis. When the cause of scoliosis is known, it is likely congenital, neuromuscular or degenerative. 

Congenital scoliosis is seen in babies and occurs when the spine does not form properly in the womb. Neuromuscular scoliosis is one that is associated with a muscular or nerve disorder such as cerebral palsy, trauma to the spinal cord or muscular dystrophy.

Degenerative scoliosis is seen in older people and is from wear and tear on the spine, causing it to curve as an individual ages.

Scoliosis can be corrected, but the way it is treated will depend on the severity of the condition.

Some people with mild cases might not need treatment at all. Others may need to wear a back brace to stop the curve from worsening. 

Specific exercises for patients are also known to work.

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For severe cases of scoliosis, surgery may be needed. The main type of surgery used to correct severe scoliosis is spinal fusion.

During spinal fusion, vertebrae are realigned and fused together. This allows them to heal into a single bone. 

The goal of this surgery is to help stop the curve from getting worse.

Some of the common symptoms in an individual who could have scoliosis include leaning to one side and uneven shoulders, hips or waist. Other symptoms include muscle weakness and back pain. 

Sometimes, those who have scoliosis may have ribs sticking out on one side or a curved posture, as well as trouble sitting, standing and walking. 

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They also may feel stiffness in their spine and their entire body may be visibly shifted to one side. 

Although symptoms of scoliosis could appear at any point in life, they are mainly seen in adolescents around the age of 10.

While scoliosis symptoms may start to appear around this age, they could continue to get worse over time if not properly treated. 

Age is one of the biggest risk factors of scoliosis, while gender is another. Females are more likely to get scoliosis than males. 

Since the severity of one's scoliosis differs on a case to case basis, there are certain things that some people with scoliosis can do, that others cannot. 

While most patients with scoliosis can participate in daily activities, there are some tasks or sports to avoid.

Avoid high-contact sports, such as football, rugby or lacrosse, if diagnosed with scoliosis.

Those with scoliosis should also be mindful when lifting heavy objects and talk with their doctor about certain exercises they should stay away from. 

People with scoliosis should also consider buying shoes with lots of support. 

Footwear such as heels do not provide the levels of support that the spine needs with this condition. 

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Dangers you can't see may be lurking in your unwashed bedding says study: Beware the 'health concerns'

Monsters under the bed aren’t the only bedtime horrors to worry about.

Sheets and pillowcases may actually be embedded with bacteria, according to a new study by Amerisleep, a mattress company in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

Unwashed bedding could even contain more bacteria than toilet seats after just one week, according to the study findings.

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During the study, volunteers swabbed their own sheets over a period of four weeks without washing them.

The company also took bacteria samples from mattresses that were anywhere from less than a year old to 7 years old.

After just one week, the pillowcases sampled had at least three million colony-forming units (CFUs) per square inch – 17,442 times more bacteria than a toilet seat (172 CFUs).

After four weeks, the number of CFUs jumped to 11.96 million, which is 39 times more bacteria than a pet food bowl contains (306,000 CFUs).

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Sheets, on the other hand, collected about five million CFUs in one week, which is 24,631 times more bacteria than bathroom doorknobs (203 CFUs).

After four weeks, the bedsheet samples contained 11.32 million CFUs – more than five times more bacteria than a toothbrush holder.

The most common bacteria found in bedding was gram-negative rods, which made up more than 41% of what was identified on sheets and pillowcases.

Gram-negative rods can be dangerous and could lead to antibiotic resistance, according to CDC data.

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The other two common bacteria found were gram-positive rods (24.94%) and bacilli (23.38%), which are usually the culprits behind food poisoning and similar infections, Amerisleep noted in its findings.

A mattress that's less than a year old contains three million CFUs per square inch, the study found.

After seven years, the bacteria had grown to more than 16 million CFUs per square inch of mattress.

Mattresses that were less than a year old showed an equal number of gram-negative rods, gram-positive rods and gram-positive cocci for all bacteria identified.

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The most common bacteria found on 7-year-old mattresses were gram-negative rods (37.36%). Mattresses of that age were the only ones to show all four types of bacteria.

In light of these findings, bedding should be washed once every seven days, said Amerisleep. 

The maximum number of days sheets can go without being changed before being considered "gross" is 35 days, according to the company.

By 35 days, bedsheets will have accumulated more than 30 grams of dead skin cells, two gallons of body fluids like sweat and saliva, and more than one million dust mites.

Failure to wash sheets regularly can result in allergy symptoms like runny nose, coughing, sneezing, itchy skin and watery eyes.

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"Washing sheets regularly is not only good hygiene, but it may also improve your sleep quality," Amerisleep states on its website.

"More people feel excited about going to bed on fresh sheets," the company added.

"Clean bedsheets invite sleep, which serves to boost your sleep quality."

Fox News contributor Nicole Saphier, M.D., who studied microbiology as an undergraduate, emphasized the health concerns around sleeping on dirty sheets in a conversation with Fox News Digital.

"Conditions as benign as irritated skin, and rashes to more serious conditions, like acne, ringworm, and even pneumonia have all been associated with sleeping on dirty sheets," she said.

"Our body comes into contact with many pathogens all throughout the day and of course, when we go to sleep, those pathogens transfer to our sheets."

In addition to pathogens, Saphier explained that dirt, oil and other substances can "really build up and affect the immune system."

Saphier suggested taking a shower prior to getting into bed, adding that drying wet hair before hitting the hay will prevent wetness on pillowcases from breeding pathogens, too.

"Also, be sure to wash your sheets at least once a week," she said. "Anything longer than that is a bit gross and can lead to some health concerns."

Washing your sheets weekly is recommended in most cases, per the guidance of WebMD.

Certain bedtime arrangements such as sleeping with pets can become a free-for-all for dust mites, which love to feed on dead skin cells, the site reported.

The average human sheds 500 million skin cells per day, according to WebMD, welcoming dust mites and their droppings into bed which can trigger allergies, asthma and other skin reactions.

If pets share the bed, they can spread such infections as mange or ringworm, which can cause skin reactions in humans, too.

Dirty pillowcases can also be the culprit for acne breakouts due to embedded dirt, dead skin and bacteria which can clog pores, WebMD reported.

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For bad breakouts, the health site suggested changing pillowcases every two to three days.

If you're sick, bedding should be thrown into the wash immediately to kill lingering germs, WebMD said, since some bacteria and viruses can survive longer than others.

Other factors that can add to gross stuff between the sheets include sleeping in the nude, snacking in bed, sleeping with kids or excessive sweating at night.

WebMD advised allowing your sheets to breathe in the morning, instead of making the bed right away, to allow covers a chance to dry and attract less bacteria.

The site also suggested washing bedding in hot water, if the care label allows, and using the dryer to kill any remaining germs that may have survived the wash cycle.

Color-safe bleach can also be used as an extra germ-killer on bedding, especially when cleaning up after an illness.

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Measles protection is paramount before traveling outside the US says CDC

A recent health alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns travelers to protect themselves against measles before heading out to visit other countries this summer. 

A recent rise in cases of measles sparked the health advisory urging people to check that they've had two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine at least two weeks before leaving on international trips, the CDC said. 

Measles, an acute viral respiratory illness, is highly contagious — and 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people who come in close contact with just one person infected by measles can contract the disease. 

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"The important part [to know] about measles is that you are infectious before the rash hits and you could be infectious up to 60 feet away," Dr. Sharon Nachman, chief of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases division at Stony Brook Children's Hospital in Stony Brook, New York, told Fox News Digital. 

The social distancing measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic are not enough when it comes to avoiding exposure to measles, she also said. 

With COVID, she said, "we talked about [a distance of] two arm lengths between people … Those are larger droplets. They fall down," she said. 

With measles, she noted, "the aerosolized droplets are quite small, so they pass very far distances away. So you could be going to the opera, and somebody on the right side [of the theater] in one of those boxes is sick with measles — and you're sitting in the orchestra seats. You're going to get infected."

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While the highly contagious disease can have short-term effects on people's health, said Nachman, measles contracted at a young age can have a long version of itself as well, much like the COVID-19 virus has its "long COVID" version. 

The long condition is called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), she told Fox News Digital in an interview. 

SSPE is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system in children and young adults. Patients can develop a severe brain infection from six to 10 years after having measles, she said. 

This could lead to mental and physical deterioration, coma and even death, noted Nachman.

"It's a time bomb," she said. "Your brain can sort of fall apart. You get encephalopathy, and it's not fixable — and it's never seen with the vaccine. It's really all seen with the disease."

Nachman pointed out, "Measles has its own new or acute illnesses associated with it. Then it's got this kick afterward." 

It is estimated that 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 children who had measles will develop SSPE, she said.

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The number of reported cases of measles has increased to 16 during the first five months of 2023, compared with three cases in 2022 during the same period, said the CDC, as of June 8, 2023. 

Of the 16 reported cases, 14 of them were linked to international travel and most of those people were not vaccinated against measles, the CDC said.

With twice as many Americans estimated to travel internationally in 2023 compared to last year along with declined global vaccination rates during the COVID pandemic, there is concern about a spike in worldwide measles cases, the CDC report noted. 

Measles is typically transmitted by an infected person through direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. 

Measles can still be infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours even after an infected person leaves an area, according infectious disease experts. 

A person can be contagious four days before developing a rash and four days afterward, the CDC report said. 

The incubation period for measles typically ranges from seven to 12 days from exposure, experts told Fox News Digital.

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Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis, which can last two to four days prior to developing a rash. 

Complications from measles include pneumonia, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and death, according to the CDC report. 

Those receiving two doses of the vaccine are likely to be 97% protected against the measles virus, compared to one shot, which provides 93% protection, according to the federal health agency report.

Experts suggested people check with their physicians to find out if they've had one or two vaccinations. 

This can vary depending on the year of birth. 

Those born in the U.S. before 1957, when measles was common in the U.S., are considered at low risk for measles, the CDC report said — but still, they should speak with their doctor to see if vaccination is recommended. 

Suggested measles vaccination doses also varied prior to the mid-to-late '80s, health experts told Fox News Digital.

"Were you born before 1988? You only got one dose — you need a second dose. So that's sort of an easy, a no-brainer," said Dr. Nachman.

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But for those born after 1985-88, we think they should have gotten two doses." 

She stressed the importance of speaking with a doctor to go over the personal history of vaccinations and current medical status.

In some cases, vaccination against measles may not be appropriate.

Those who are immunocompromised, have an underlying medical condition or are undergoing chemotherapy must discuss with a physician whether it's safe to get a measles vaccine, Nachman said. 

"Are you on chemo? In which case, no — we don't want you to get another dose," she said.

"We also want you to think about [your destination] — is this a good place to go on a trip now? 'Maybe I shouldn't be going on that trip to that country. I should go someplace else.' So you know, it's not always an easy yes or no," Nachman said.

Currently, it is recommended that children get their first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, then the second dose at age 4, 5 or 6 years old.

The recent CDC report, however, suggested families of infants in the U.S. who are 6–11 months old and who will be traveling abroad should consider having their young ones receive an extra measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) shot. 

Also, teens and adults who have not been vaccinated should get two doses spread about 28 days apart at least two weeks prior to traveling, the report said.

Certain individuals who are vulnerable to complications from measles include infants who are too young to get vaccinated, pregnant women, those with weakened immune systems (including diabetes, organ transplant, cancer and AIDS) or those taking certain medications including immunosuppressants, health experts told Fox News Digital.

Doctors also said anyone born between 1957 and 1985 who may not have had two doses of the vaccine may be at risk and should check with their physician. 

Measles remains a common disease in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, according to the CDC. 

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Certain popular travel destinations like Israel, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Ukraine, and the Philippines have seen measles outbreaks in recent years, the CDC reported. 

An estimated 128,000 measles deaths occurred globally in 2021, mostly among the unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children younger than five years old, the World Health Organization said. 

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Be well: Treat and prevent pink eye with a health specialist's top tips

Anyone who’s ever been plagued with pink eye — and its telltale signs of irritation, itchiness and discharge — likely will want to take measures to prevent it from happening again.

Also known as conjunctivitis, the infection causes the white of the eye to become pink or red, hence its more familiar name. 

As many as six million children and adults contract pink eye each year, according to Cleveland Clinic.

To help you recognize the symptoms and prevent spreading, Dr. James Kelly, M.D., of the Kelly Vision Center in New York City, shared expert tips and insights with Fox News Digital.

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"The three main types of pink eye are viral, allergic and bacterial in nature," Kelly explained. "The most common cause is a virus known as adenovirus, although it may also be caused by certain types of bacteria and fungi." 

Molds, pollen and other allergens can also trigger the infection, Cleveland Clinic states on its website.

In some less common cases, pink eye can stem from a foreign object in the eye, external irritants, autoimmune diseases or blocked tear ducts, per Cleveland Clinic.

"It is more common in children and teens, especially during the summer, as they are in camps, day care or spending time together at pools," Kelly said.

"Typical symptoms of pink eye include redness, swelling, tearing, discharge, crusting and burning," Kelly told Fox News Digital.

Some people may also experience blurry vision, increased sensitivity to light and itchiness.

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"Most pink eye resolves without treatment or permanent damage, usually within a few days," the doctor said. "For some, however, it may take two to three weeks to fully resolve."

If left untreated, pink eye can sometimes result in permanent scar tissue, Kelly warned. To avoid this and to eliminate symptoms faster, he suggests seeking medical care.

Medicated eyedrops — specifically artificial tears and antibiotics — are the mainstay of treatment for pink eye, Kelly said.

"Occasionally, steroid eye drops are prescribed depending on the clinical features the individual may have upon presentation to the eye doctor," he also said. 

Bacterial pink eye is treated with antibiotic eyedrops, pills or creams. 

Pink eye caused by a virus doesn’t respond to antibiotics. Cases caused by allergies can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription eyedrops.

A health care provider can determine what type of conjunctivitis is causing the symptoms.

Pink eye is very contagious — it can easily be transmitted from person to person. 

Proper hygiene is critical to preventing the spread and relapse of the infection, Kelly said.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious from the point when symptoms appear until 24 to 48 hours after beginning antibiotics, according to Cleveland Clinic.

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Viral pink eye can be transmitted for the entire duration of symptoms, or even before they begin.

Pink eye that’s caused by allergies is not contagious.

"Sharing personal items like pillowcases, towels and makeup can result in the spread of the underlying infectious cause, so it is strongly advisable not to do so," Kelly said. 

Viruses and bacteria can live on surfaces for hours to days, he warned, so it is best to limit contact with others while infected with pink eye.

Proper hand-washing is also very important in controlling spread, especially after applying eye drops or ointment.

"Certain people are more susceptible, especially those who are contact lens users or who have weakened immune systems," Kelly said. 

​​To read more pieces in Fox News Digital's "Be Well" series, click here.

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Singing with others for health and wellness: It can 'renew the spirit and adjust the mindset

A growing body of research indicates that music can be a form of therapy — especially singing with others — to improve your mental health.

But it’s OK if you are not the next "American Idol."

Music therapy addresses symptoms across a wide range of illnesses, including chronic pain, anxiety disorders, cancer and lung diseases like asthma, COPD and COVID-19, said Joanne V. Loewy, director of The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. 

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It also benefits the pediatric population and the very young in neonatal care.

"Singing, in particular, is integrated to enhance well-being in children and teens facing fragility and/or depression," Loewy also Fox News Digital in an email.

Tenovus Cancer Care, a leading charity in England that provides support to those affected by cancer, started "Sing with Us" choirs as a fun way to unite people to reduce anxiety, make new friends and lift spirits.

The idea sprouted from a resoundingly positive response from a team-building exercise that organized a staff choir. 

The group decided to set up a singing choir for those fighting cancer; it would be a research study to evaluate the benefits of singing. After receiving positive results in the study, they applied for funding to create more choirs in 2011.

There are now choirs across the country, including a virtual one — people can join from around the world, per its website.

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They sing a wide range of contemporary music, including hit songs from iconic musicians like Queen, Elvis, Rihanna, The Beach Boys and Adele, the website added.

Early research discovered that singing in choirs increased quality of life and reduced depression and anxiety.

Later research explored how singing in a choir can improve well-being over time, starting in 2016.

Researchers compared two choir groups in London to a non-singing group across a period of 24 weeks.

The researchers found the singers who were caring for people with cancer had significant reductions in their levels of anxiety — especially when compared with the non-singing group. 

They also found that singing really aided those who had low levels of well-being at the start of the study — a group the researchers thought needed the most help.

People who were grieving over the recent loss of a loved one also had more consistent levels of mental health compared to those who were not singing.

The non-singing group had increased levels of depression and more fluctuating levels of wellbeing throughout the course of the study.

"Many times, I've shown up for a rehearsal, physically and emotionally drained, stressed and overwhelmed," a member of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, told Fox News Digital. 

"Then, 2½ hours later I've headed home feeling rejuvenated, strengthened and empowered to face life." 

The Grammy Award-winning and Emmy-winning Tabernacle Choir is known around the world for its unique sound, including its many memorable performances such as the opening ceremony of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games that billions watched globally.

"Just being with a large group of people who share my beliefs and motivations fortifies me — then taking it a step further and working together to create beautiful music as literal instruments renews my spirit and adjusts my mindset," the member also said. 

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Earlier this year, the U.S. surgeon general reminded people that seeking healthy relationships for "a source of healing and well-being" can help combat the ongoing epidemic of loneliness in this country.

While music brings people together, it is also a form of therapy.

"Music is a largely untapped resource, which can have powerful, positive effects on struggling patients," Dr. Martin Rubin told Fox News Digital.

He’s the course director of a popular wellness elective for medical students in Elk Grove, California, which includes the appearance of special guest lecturers who share their unique perspective on what they do outside of medicine to stay healthy.

One of those experts is Dr. Schery Mitchell, a retired pediatrician who finds happiness now with playing music; she is also based in Elk Grove.

"It’s fascinating to think that when you listen to music, one side of the brain is activated — but when you play an instrument or sing, the whole brain lights up," she said. 

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It was previously thought that music was processed only in the "right" part of our brain along with other creative processes such as art — but recent research has shown that music can be distributed throughout the brain.

Mitchell inspires students to appreciate the power of music with a famous quote from Plato.

"Music is a moral law," the ancient Greek philosopher said. "It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything," he continued.

"It is the essence of order, and leads to all that is good and just and beautiful."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/UMDX0VG

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