Preventing Disease & Staying Healthy

We all know that it’s good to exercise, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and get a good night’s sleep. But it’s hard to change our habits, especially if we don’t have persuasive proof that it will improve our lives and health.

The National Center for Health Research is constantly reviewing new research to determine what we can do that will prevent diseases and keep us healthy.

Excellent research is being conducted to learn exactly what kinds of foods and exercise will help you prevent specific diseases, and what exposures to avoid in your daily life. The results are sometimes confusing because new products to prevent diseases are aggressively advertised, whether they work or not. Sometimes the best strategies are ones that don’t cost anything – but who is going to pay to advertise those?

We cut through the hype. We scrutinize new research, and call the researchers to learn even more. Then we translate it into plain language that you can understand.

To find the information you need, please use our search box to search for exactly what you are looking for or browse through our various topics on the right. →

If you’re looking for information about how to prevent cancer, go to our Cancer Prevention and Treatment web site at www.stopcancerfund.org . If you don’t see what you’re looking for on any health topic, contact us through our online health helpline at info@center4research.org. We’ll try to get the information you need within a few days.

Sunscreen 101: What You Need to Know

Sun damage can start early in life and impact skin health for decades, increasing the risk of skin cancer. Learn what the evidence says about sunscreen, how it helps prevent skin cancer, how to select the appropriate SPF, proper application techniques, ingredient safety, and essential sun protection tips for babies, children, and adults.

NCHR Written Comment to FDA on the National Youth Tobacco Survey

July 6, 2026: In response to a request for public comments, NCHR wrote to the FDA strongly supporting the continuation of the National Youth Tobacco Survey for 2027-2029. NCHR emphasized that NYTS is essential for tracking youth tobacco and nicotine use, including e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and other emerging products, and for understanding whether new products contribute to combustible cigarette use, dual use, or sustained nicotine addiction. The survey provides critical data to guide prevention, enforcement, education, and evidence-based tobacco control policies that can be used to reduce addiction and dangerous heath habits by children and adolescents.

Can the Shingles Vaccine Lower the Chance of Dementia or Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia affect millions of older adults. There is no cure, but several very large, well-designed studies suggest that the shingles vaccine may help prevent or delay these brain conditions. The studies all found that older adults who received a shingles vaccine were less likely to develop dementia or developed it later than those who were not vaccinated. Earlier research focused mostly on Zostavax, the older shingles vaccine, while newer studies have looked at Shingrix, the only shingles vaccine currently available in the U.S. Shingrix is recommended to prevent shingles for adults age 50 and older, but we think it may be as effective as and safer than expensive treatments like Leqembi or Kisunla for helping prevent or delay dementia.

Confused About Red Meat? Why the Evidence Is Not as Simple as the Guidelines

The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines encourage Americans to eat more red meat, but studies of millions of adults tell the opposite story. Adults who regularly eat processed or ultraprocessed meats such as bacon, sausage, and deli meats — even in small amounts –are more likely to develop heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and several cancers. Adults who often eat unprocessed meats, such as steak and hamburgers, are also more likely to develop those diseases than those who eat little or no red meat, but less likely than those who eat ultraprocessed red meat. A Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats offers a better path to a longer, healthier life.

Exercise, Reducing Your Likelihood of Cancer, and Life After Treatment

Exercise is known to be good for your heart, but did you know it can also lower your chances of developing many types of cancer and help survivors live longer? Research clearly shows that staying active, whether walking, cycling, swimming, or resistance training, can reduce your chances of getting cancer, improve outcomes if you are diagnosed, and lower the likelihood of cancer recurrence after treatment.