Alena Hall

Editor Health

Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and a functional medicine certified health coach. She brings more than a decade of media experience to Forbes Health, with a keen focus on building content strategy, ensuring top content quality and empowering readers to make the best health and wellness decisions for themselves.

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  • New Year’s Resolutions Statistics 2024

    The start of a new year serves as an opportunity for many to set new goals and commit to better habits. But what happens when the energy and excitement after the ball drops wears off—and how many New Year’s resolutions...

  • Medicare Coverage Of PET Scans For People With Alzheimer’s Disease: What To Know

    Alzheimer's disease, a type of dementia that profoundly alters a person’s memory and cognitive function, affects an estimated 6.7 million U.S. adults at least 65 years old, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Early detection and management of this disease can...

  • Best Online Hearing Tests Of 2023, According To Experts

    Hearing loss is a common condition in the U.S., with over 37 million U.S. adults reporting some trouble hearing, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Despite this prevalence, only 30% of people ages 70 and...

  • How To Beat The ‘Sunday Scaries’

    Editor’s Note: In “Hey, Health Coach,” Sarah Hays Coomer answers reader questions about the intersection of health and overall well-being. Have a question? Send her a message (and don't forget to use a sleuthy pseudonym!). Hey, Health Coach, My weekends...

  • Best Affordable CBD Oils Of 2023

    Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is a popular remedy many people consume to potentially help alleviate pain, anxiety symptoms, inflammation and more. Since the CBD oil market is inundated with brands and products featuring a wide range of prices and formulations, it...

  • Is The Alzheimer’s Drug Leqembi Eligible For Medicare Coverage?

    Progressive and incurable, Alzheimer’s disease affects an estimated 6.7 million U.S. adults at least 65 years old, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Few pharmaceuticals have any noticeable effect on Alzheimer’s-related dementia and cognitive decline. However, in July 2023, new dementia...

  • How To Lose Weight Without Dieting

    Editor’s Note: In “Hey, Health Coach,” Sarah Hays Coomer answers reader questions about the intersection of health and overall well-being. Have a question? Send her a message (and don't forget to use a sleuthy pseudonym!). Hey, Health Coach, I’ve gained...

  • Which U.S. States Are Best For Emergency Health Care?

    Explore Our Featured Medical Alert Partners

  • Assisted Living Statistics And Facts In 2023

    Assisted living communities are a popular choice for older adults who wish to live independently but need some help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, eating, dressing or moving from a bed to a chair. These residences...

  • Medicare Changes In 2024: What’s New?

    Changes are coming to Medicare costs and coverage in 2024. Announced in time for the annual open enrollment period, which continues through December 7, the adjustments affect both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. It’s crucial that enrollees stay informed...

  • Best Hearing Aids For Tinnitus Of 2023, According to Audiologists

    Nearly 10% of U.S. adults experience some form of tinnitus, also described as “ringing in the ears,” according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). What’s more, 90% of tinnitus cases occur with an underlying degree...

  • 10 Best Dating Sites For Seniors In 2023

    There’s never been a better time for older adults to try online dating. With the continued rise of niche and specialized dating sites, there are more ways than ever to connect with a potential companion. “If you’re at the end...

  • Best Gym Memberships Of 2023

    With nearly 113,000 gyms and health and fitness clubs across the country, individuals of all fitness abilities can find a membership that caters to their goals and lifestyle. From community-centered clubs with programs for the whole family to fitness programs...

  • Medicare Is Raising Its Part B Premium And Deductible For 2024

    Expect to see Medicare grow slightly more expensive following last year’s unusual price drop. In January 2024, most U.S. residents enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or a Medicare Advantage plan will pay a standard Part B...

  • Is Coconut Oil Good For You?

    Editor’s Note: In “Hey, Health Coach,” Sarah Hays Coomer answers reader questions about the intersection of health and overall well-being. Have a question? Send her a message (and don't forget to use a sleuthy pseudonym!). Hey, Health Coach, Thanks for...

  • The Latest Medicare Enrollment Scams And How You Can Avoid Becoming A Victim

    Medicare open enrollment has arrived—and so have the scammers. The annual open enrollment period, which typically runs from October 15 to December 7, allows U.S. adults already on Medicare to evaluate their current coverage and make changes to their Original...

  • Best Calorie Counting Apps Of 2023

    We hear it time and time again—there’s an app for that. And, if you're interested in learning more about your health or dropping a few pounds, a calorie counting app can help you achieve your goals. With these apps, you...

  • 9 Best Walk-In Tubs: Reviewed In 2023

    Walk-in tubs assist older adults by keeping them safe while entering and exiting the bath, thanks to their low-entry step thresholds. Depending on its manufacturer, a walk-in tub can also include other safety features, such as an anti-slip surface, grab...

  • BetterHelp Review (2023): Tried And Tested

    The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic fallout have taken a toll on the mental health of many Americans, according to a March 2021 Pew Research Center report. Around one-fifth of U.S. adults say they’re experiencing “high levels of psychological distress,”...

  • Would A Government Shutdown Disrupt Medicare Open Enrollment?

    Medicare’s annual open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. During these few weeks, Americans already on Medicare can review their coverage and make changes to their Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or private Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement coverage. This year,...

  • Life Alert Medical Alert System Review: Tested In 2023

    You’ve likely seen the late-night television commercial with the elderly woman lying on the floor and yelling, “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” It’s an ad that can cause stomach flips in anyone who is prone to falling...

  • Talkspace Review: Tried And Tested (2023)

    If you’re interested in tending to your mental health but find it difficult to schedule time to do so, online therapy might be a good option. Most U.S. adults already spend about a third of their time on their smartphones,...

  • Best Sleep Apps Of 2023

    Though sleep is essential to overall health, from keeping the immune system intact to supporting the body’s response to stress, a good night’s sleep is sometimes easier to imagine than to execute. In fact, a 2020 survey conducted by the...

  • Cities That Pose The Greatest Risk Of Hearing Loss 2023

    From thumping concert venues and rowdy sports arenas to the buzz of bars and restaurants and the sirens that accompany evening traffic, environmental noise is pervasive in everyday life. And while many people might not give some of these sounds...

  • Best Pregnancy Apps Of 2023

    Nine months can seem like a lifetime when you have a new baby on the way. But rest assured, there are an abundance of apps out there to aid you in tracking and monitoring your baby’s development (as well as...

  • How Often Should You Work Out?

    Editor’s Note: In “Hey, Health Coach,” Sarah Hays Coomer answers reader questions about the intersection of health and overall well-being. Have a question? Send her a message (and don't forget to use a sleuthy pseudonym!). Hey, Health Coach, I’ve been...

  • 5 Best Home Oxygen Concentrators Of 2023

    Oxygen is essential for breathing, and typically an individual’s normal blood oxygen level is 95% or higher. Certain chronic conditions, such as heart failure, asthma and COPD, can cause oxygen levels to consistently measure below 95%, however. In such situations,...

  • Best Medicare Supplement Plans In California (2023)

    If you’re considering enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan in California to meet your health insurance needs, you’re not alone. Recent Census data estimates that approximately 5.8 million people ages 65 and older live in California, accounting for nearly 15%...

  • Best Health Coach Certification Programs Of 2023

    In recent years, the American Psychological Association (APA) reported “alarming” increases in stress levels, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documented that approximately 60% of U.S. adults have at least one chronic illness while 40% struggle with...

  • 10 Best Medical Alert Systems Of 2023

    Medical alert systems are important medical devices designed to assist in an emergency event by connecting users to a dispatcher who can send for assistance in the event of a medical emergency. Some systems are designed for in-home use while...

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