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How cultural identity, representation, and clear communication can empower athletes and communities to take control of their health. When we think about athletes, we often think about confidence, discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure. We celebrate the moments when athletes overcome obstacles, push through challenges, and find the strength to keep going. But there is another kind of strength that does not always receive the same attention: the courage to ask qu

As a girl growing up, we hear stories; sex education talks about learning how to do a quick self-exam to check if you have any bumps or anything strange. It is a terrifying experience, as the Cancer Society estimates that 321,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 42,140 deaths will occur in U.S. women in 2026. For athletes, it isn’t different. Their focus is usually on strength, performance, and reaching the next finish line. But for four-time U.S. Olympian Chaunté Lowe

Sports have always been about more than competition. They bring people together, build connections, and give communities a place to gather. Today, that same sense of community is being used to address another important issue: health. You probably see flyers or announcements about health screenings, blood drives, wellness programs, and athlete partnerships; these are the initiatives are currently helping to make healthcare more accessible while encouraging people to take a mor

For professional athletes, the final whistle, also known as their retirement announcement, can be a hard thing to wrap your head around. Still, it doesn't mean the end of their relationship with sports. Instead, it can mark the beginning of a different kind of challenge: learning to protect their health off the field, find purpose, and build a meaningful life beyond competition. Former athletes such as Anthony Tolliver, along with organizations like Legends of Basketball and

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, usually marked by the yellow ribbon and filled with conversations that, years ago, not everyone was willing to take part in. Compared to 2024, Suicides in the U.S have decreased by 16% overall. Mental health has lately become a common topic of conversation, as people have decided to prioritize mental well-being and overall health. On the other hand, professional athletes constantly endure pressure to perform that can extend far

We are officially starting the new school year of 2026-2027, and the kids and teenagers are back in the classrooms, and with that, new sports events as well, and so come at hand the concerns regarding the youth's health in sports. From the Field to the Community A soccer field, basketball court, or community center can become much more than a place for competition. When health organizations partner with youth sports programs, these spaces can become accessible points for educ

When we speak of eczema, most people will say, “Stop scratching, and it will pass!” “It's poor hygiene,” or “it's contagious.” There are a lot of misconceptions regarding this health condition; a lot of people fear it due to the lack of information they have. Truth is, eczema is not contagious, is not about hygiene, and we hope! We hope it was as easy to stop scratching and that it will vanish, but in reality it isn’t. There are truths in the misconceptions, including two imp

For a long time, athletes were expected to be tough. They were supposed to push through pain, stay focused, keep their emotions in check and never let anyone see them struggle. In sports, showing vulnerability could sometimes be mistaken for weakness. That mindset is beginning to change. Today, some of the most recognizable athletes in the world are using their platforms to talk openly about mental health. They are speaking about anxiety, depression, burnout, pressure and the

When former NFL safety Ryan Clark stepped onto the field in Denver in 2007, he expected to play football. Instead, he experienced a life-threatening medical emergency caused by complications from sickle cell trait. It was a moment that changed his life forever. Rather than keeping the experience private, Clark chose to share his story, using one of the most difficult moments of his career to educate athletes, coaches, and families about a condition that many people knew very

As summer winds down and a new school year begins, families everywhere are getting ready for another sports season. Cleats are being replaced, schedules are filling up, and excitement is building for the first practices and games. For young athletes, it's the start of new opportunities, new teammates, and new goals. For parents, it often means making sure everything is ready before the season begins. While uniforms and equipment usually top the checklist, one of the most impo

The Start of Every Star Every girl has a first memory in childhood of playing a sport, accompanied by their family or friends, whether it is soccer or tennis; every girl finds, at some point in their life, a bit of love for one sport. Now, those girls have grown up; some of them quit the sport when life got busy, but others have become professionals, with the passion and love that filled them with joy in their early years. Those are the women in the fields, courts, and big le

During Chronic Illness Awareness Month, what first comes to mind are long-lasting diseases that no one talks about or chooses to hide, yet that people check off on job applications when asked about any illness or condition. In an era where everything is visible, someone who hasn’t kept quiet about her health condition has been the tennis star, Venus Williams. Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Holder of 49 WTA singles titles, William experienced a life-changing diagnosis with Sjör

In honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month When people think about healthcare, they often think about hospitals, doctor's offices, medications, or annual checkups. Rarely do they think about sports. But for millions of young people, sports are where some of life's most important conversations begin. A coach notices when an athlete seems withdrawn. A teammate recognizes when someone isn't acting like themselves. An athletic trainer checks in after practice and asks, "A

UV Safety Month | Summer Sports Safety | Youth Athletics Wellness Every summer, the courts, fields, and tracks fill up early. Tournaments start before the heat peaks, practices stretch into the afternoon, and young athletes spend hours outside chasing competition, growth, and opportunity. For many, it’s the best part of the year. But for athletes like Jessica Pegula, it also comes with something most people don’t think about enough: constant, prolonged sun exposure. Pegula ha

With the recent NBA Conference winners, there is a name that should be mentioned, particularly this month, when the spotlight is on sickle cell: Billy Garret. Billy Garrett, a former New York Knicks player, who joined the blue and orange team during the 2019 season. Garret became the first NBA player to join the league with outspoken Sickle Cell disease. Coming from a family of basketball legacies, Billy was told he shouldn’t play sports because of his health condition. Taugh

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Health Awareness Month, a month that aims to raise awareness of brain health and encourage the prevention of AD (Alzheimer's disease) and other MCDs (Mild Cognitive Diseases). The Brain is the most researched organ in the human body worldwide. Taking care of ourselves goes beyond our physical health; it involves taking care of our mental and brain health. Myths on brain health While growing up, I remember my parents always being worried if I

When people think about injuries, they usually think about something they can see. A cast on a broken arm, a knee brace after surgery, or crutches on the sidelines are all visible reminders that someone is hurting. We understand physical injuries because the evidence is right in front of us. Mental and emotional injuries are different. Someone can be struggling deeply while still showing up to work, caring for their family, competing in sports, or smiling in public. The pain

For generations, boys have been taught some version of the same lesson: be tough, don't complain, and push through it. Whether those messages come from sports, family, friends, or broader culture, many men grow up learning that resilience means handling problems on their own and avoiding signs of vulnerability. In sports, those expectations are often reinforced from an early age. Athletes learn to play through pain, shake off injuries, and keep moving forward no matter how th

Summer sports are supposed to be fun. The tournaments. The camps. The extra training sessions. The long weekends spent competing with teammates and chasing improvement. But summer is also one of the most physically demanding parts of the athletic calendar. Rising temperatures, packed schedules, and year-round competition can quickly create the perfect conditions for dehydration, exhaustion, burnout, and overuse injuries. And too often, athletes are taught to push through warn

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And in sports, that means something specific. It means acknowledging that the athlete sitting across from you in the locker room, the one who looks fine, trains hard, and never says a word about how they are feeling, may be carrying something invisible that no conditioning program, no film session, and no coaching adjustment is equipped to address. It means being honest about the fact that up to 35% of elite athletes experience a mental h