Most people get malaria when bitten by an infective mosquito carrying the malaria parasite. Only female Anopheles mosquitoes can spread malaria from one person to another. For the Anopheles mosquito to become infective, they must bite, or take a blood meal, from a person already infected with the malaria parasites. About one week later, that same mosquito will bite the next person and subsequently inject the parasites via her saliva. And the cycle of infection continues.
In rare occasions, malaria can spread through
Blood transfusions,
Organ transplant,
Sharing needles or syringes contaminated with malaria-infected blood, or
Congenitally, meaning from a mother to her unborn infant before or during delivery.
Ways malaria does not spread
Malaria is not contagious. People can’t spread malaria to other people like a cold or the flu. You can’t get malaria through casual contact (sitting next to a person with malaria), close physical contact, or even sexual contact.
Risk factors
Anyone can get malaria. Most cases occur in people who live in countries with widespread malaria. These countries are also called malaria-endemic regions. People from or living in countries with no malaria can become infected when they travel to countries with malaria.
Plasmodium falciparum is the parasite species causing malaria that can be severe and life-threatening. It is very common in many countries in Africa south of the Sahara Desert.
Populations most at risk
Individuals with the most risk of getting very sick and dying from malaria include
People who have little or no recent exposure to malaria parasites. This can include young children and pregnant women or travelers coming from areas with no malaria.
People heavily exposed to the bites of mosquitoes infected with P. falciparum.
People living in rural areas who lack access to health care.
Due to these risk factors, an estimated 90% of deaths caused by malaria occur in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. And most of these deaths occur in children under 5 years of age.
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I’ll never forget a holiday moment a few years ago, when I found myself in a negotiation with my younger daughter over her gift list. In theory, I’ve never wanted my kids to make lists of things they want for Christmas and Hanukkah. But we did “go see Santa” when they were younger, and they did prepare to ask him for a gift, so I’ve never really put my money where my mouth is.
Anyway, my daughter was in the back of the car rattling off all the things she wanted for Christmas, excitedly, as though it were a done deal and she would soon be receiving everything she ever hoped for.
And I was anxiously trying to do damage control. I explained that Santa only brings one toy (“Nah-ah, Mom, he brought Ella THREE last year!”). Santa can’t bring live animals (she passionately wanted a live llama). And if your grandparents get you Uggs instead of Payless knock-offs, you won’t get any other presents from them (economic logic lost on a seven-year-old).
I thought I was going to lose my mind. I’d been trying to create special holiday traditions that foster positive emotions like gratitude and altruism—traditions that would bring meaning, connection, and positive memories. And it all seemed to be falling on deaf ears. My children had wish-lists longer than they were tall. Even my parents were fighting me on going to church Christmas Eve, because they thought it would cut into the gift exchange.
I know I’m not alone; nearly all of my coaching clients have expressed similar dismay. So if we don’t want our children to be whipped into a consumer frenzy, and we value other things, why does this happen, year after year?
One answer, of course, is that on some level our society has come to believe that our economy depends on a gift giving extravaganza, and that the holidays wouldn’t be fun without all the gifts. I’ve been reflecting on this, and on the other forces at work this time of year. Here’s why I think we want, want, want so much stuff come the holidays.
Why Holidays Are About “Wanting” Stuff
1. We systematically confuse gratification, which is fleeting, with real joy or lasting happiness.
It’s a complex concept for a seven-year-old (and sometimes, for a 37-year-old): We can feel gratified when we get something new—we might even get a hit of pleasure—but that gratification isn’t really the same thing as happiness.
Think of how gratitude feels—or compassion, inspiration, or awe. Think of how you feel when you are madly in love with your new baby, or amorous towards your longtime spouse. Those are deep positive emotions—and to me, they’re the positive emotions that are at the foundation of a happy life.
Gratification still feels good. It is central to our brain’s reward and motivation systems. But when we confuse it with actual happiness, we think that we can’t really be happy—or that our kids won’t be happy—without all the gifts and shopping.
2. Our brains are hardwired to pursue rewards. Happiness is a reward. It’s not that we aren’t built to pursue happiness, because we are.
But the key word here is pursue: Our brain’s built-in reward system motivates us toward all the carrots, large and small, that are dangling out there. We’ll pursue anything that seems like a reward, and our kids will, too.
When our brain identifies a possible reward, it releases a powerful neurotransmitter called dopamine. That dopamine rush propels us toward the reward. Dopamine creates a very real desire for the carrot dangled in front of us.
It makes us more susceptible to other temptations as well, which is why when we decide that we want a cashmere sweater, that cookie over there suddenly looks pretty good, and so do those cute Pottery Barn dishes. High dopamine levels amplify the appeal of immediate gratification (which is why you suddenly can’t stop checking your email), and makes us less concerned about long-term consequences (like your credit card bill).
Unfortunately, our brain doesn’t distinguish between rewards that actually will make us happier and the things that won’t. Dopamine just motivates us to chase them all. In that way, we are wired to want all kinds of things.
3. All the carrots being dangled out there are dizzying.
They don’t call it neuro-marketing for nothing—believe me, the advertisers know how to stimulate that dopamine rush in our children.
And how does a kid pursue a reward in December? They put it on their wish-list, then endlessly nag us until we break down and concede that, yes, sometimes Santa does bring more than one gift. Or that every night of Hanukkah can bring a “little something.”
So when our kids seem greedy or materialistic at this time of year, it doesn’t mean that we’ve failed to instill good values in them, or that they are spoiled and bratty. It means that they are human, and that they are under the siege of a marketing-induced dopamine rush.
What’s the wisdom in the wanting?
This is an important lesson for our kids to learn! Here’s how we can help: We can teach them to recognize what makes them want, want, want. We can teach them to realize when they are being manipulated by advertisers.
This is hard, but I’ve seen that it’s possible: The other day, my older daughter was barely watching a distant TV in a Thai restaurant, and she said, “Wow, I know that commercial was meant to make me want those pants, and it WORKED. I really want those pants. I feel like I might be happier if I had THOSE PANTS.” She still wanted the pants, of course, but at least she was gaining some insight into her desire. She couldn’t prevent the dopamine rush, but she could respond to it.
Finally, by creating meaningful traditions, we can teach our kids what truly will bring them lasting happiness during the holidays—like starting a gratitude tradition or helping others. Those are the things that they really will remember.
This article originally appeared on Greater Good, the online magazine of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, one of Mindful’s partners. To view the original article, click here. GGSC’s coverage of gratitude is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation as part of the Expanding Gratitude project.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. With work, family, and social obligations, it can be challenging to find time for oneself. However, neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and a weakened immune system. The good news is that self-care doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. With a few quick and easy tips, you can reduce stress and increase productivity, even with a busy schedule.
Understanding the Importance of Self-Care
Self-care is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s essential to take care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being to maintain a healthy work-life balance. When you prioritize self-care, you’ll experience improved mood, increased energy, and enhanced focus. Self-care is not selfish; it’s essential to being the best version of yourself. By incorporating self-care into your daily routine, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of your busy life.
Quick and Easy Self-Care Tips
Here are some quick and easy self-care tips to help you reduce stress and increase productivity:
Take a few deep breaths: When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and slowly. This simple technique can help calm your mind and reduce stress.
Get moving: Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and increase energy. Even a short walk or some stretching exercises can make a big difference.
Practice gratitude: Take a minute each day to reflect on the things you’re grateful for. This helps shift your focus to the positive aspects of your life.
Connect with nature: Spend time outdoors, whether it’s walking in a park, hiking, or simply sitting in a garden or on a balcony with plants.
Use positive self-talk: Be kind to yourself and practice positive affirmations. This helps to boost your mood and confidence.
Time Management for Self-Care
Effective time management is crucial for incorporating self-care into your busy schedule. Here are some tips to help you make time for self-care:
Schedule self-care: Treat self-care as a non-negotiable part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth or taking a shower.
Start small: Begin with small, manageable self-care activities, such as taking a few deep breaths or going for a short walk.
Prioritize: Identify the most important self-care activities for you and prioritize them.
Use your commute: Use your commute to practice self-care, such as listening to a podcast, meditating, or reading a book.
Self-Care for the Mind
Taking care of your mental health is essential for overall well-being. Here are some self-care tips for the mind:
Meditate: Meditation is a powerful tool for reducing stress and increasing focus. Even a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
Practice mindfulness: Be present in the moment and focus on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
Read: Reading can be a great way to relax and escape from the stresses of daily life.
Learn something new: Engage in a hobby or activity that challenges your mind and helps you learn something new.
Self-Care for the Body
Taking care of your physical health is essential for overall well-being. Here are some self-care tips for the body:
Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night to help your body and mind recharge.
Eat a healthy diet: Fuel your body with a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your body function at its best.
Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day to help reduce stress and increase energy.
Self-Care for the Soul
Taking care of your emotional and spiritual well-being is essential for overall happiness. Here are some self-care tips for the soul:
Connect with loved ones: Spend quality time with family and friends to help you feel connected and supported.
Practice self-compassion: Be kind and understanding with yourself, just as you would with a close friend.
Engage in activities that bring you joy: Whether it’s painting, playing music, or cooking, make time for activities that bring you happiness and fulfillment.
Practice forgiveness: Let go of grudges and forgive yourself and others to help you move forward and find peace.
Conclusion
Self-care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. By incorporating quick and easy self-care tips into your daily routine, you can reduce stress and increase productivity, even with a busy schedule. Remember to prioritize self-care, schedule it into your daily routine, and start small. Take care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, and make time for activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. By prioritizing self-care, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of your busy life and live a happier, healthier, and more balanced life.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about self-care:
Q: What is self-care?
A: Self-care is the practice of taking care of one’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Q: Why is self-care important?
A: Self-care is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, reducing stress, and increasing productivity.
Q: How can I incorporate self-care into my busy schedule?
A: Start small, schedule self-care into your daily routine, and prioritize activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Q: What are some quick and easy self-care tips?
A: Take a few deep breaths, get moving, practice gratitude, connect with nature, and use positive self-talk.
Q: How can I prioritize self-care when I’m feeling overwhelmed?
A: Start by taking a few minutes each day to breathe deeply and slowly, and then gradually add more self-care activities into your routine.
Q: Is self-care selfish?
A: No, self-care is not selfish. It’s essential to taking care of oneself to maintain a healthy and balanced life.
Q: How can I make self-care a habit?
A: Schedule self-care into your daily routine, start small, and be consistent. Remember, self-care is a non-negotiable part of maintaining a healthy and happy life.
When it comes to personal health, many people focus on visible markers, such as weight, diet, or fitness levels. While these are important, Islam Wardak notes that deeper systems often go unnoticed—particularly those related to spinal health. The spine plays a central role in how the body functions, communicates, and recovers.
Fatigue, poor posture, and chronic aches can all be traced back to the spine, yet it’s rarely addressed until pain becomes chronic. Being mindful doesn’t demand a complete lifestyle overhaul, just small, consistent actions that protect and enhance one of the body’s most vital structures.
The Spine’s Role
The spine is more than just a structural support—it’s a central highway for the nervous system. Signals between your brain and body travel through the spinal cord, influencing everything from digestion to circulation. If alignment is off, these signals can be disrupted, creating a ripple effect across multiple systems. This kind of interference can exacerbate existing conditions or slow down the body’s natural repair processes.
When people experience low energy, poor sleep, or sluggish recovery after workouts, the spine is rarely the first thing they consider. Yet even minor misalignments can interfere with how the body heals, performs, and manages stress. A misfiring nervous system can quietly hinder progress, even when your diet and workouts are on point. In athletes and active individuals, this becomes even more important as spinal tension can limit strength and flexibility gains.
Signs Your Spine Needs Attention
Tight shoulders, recurring headaches, or a stiff lower back might seem like minor annoyances, but they can be signals of an underlying spinal imbalance. Many people attribute these issues to stress or aging without realizing they may stem from poor spinal alignment. Subtle warning signs like uneven shoe wear or one hip sitting higher than the other can also indicate an imbalance.
Postural changes, like slouching at a desk or carrying weight unevenly, can gradually lead to discomfort that limits mobility. When these patterns go unchecked, they can reduce the benefits of exercise by restricting movement or increasing the risk of strain. Paying attention to these early signs can make a meaningful difference in long-term health. Even small adjustments in posture or work habits can ease pressure and restore better spinal alignment.
The Limits of Diet and Exercise
Clean eating and regular workouts are often seen as the gold standard for health, yet many still experience plateaus or unexplained fatigue despite their best efforts. What’s often overlooked is how spinal misalignment can restrict blood flow, compress nerves, and reduce the body’s ability to fully recover from physical activity.
You might follow a strict meal plan and train consistently, but if your spine isn’t supporting your body efficiently, nutrients may not get absorbed properly, or muscles might not engage as they should. This can leave you feeling like your progress doesn’t match your effort, leading to frustration and burnout over time. Addressing spinal health can often reignite progress and bring balance back into a wellness routine.
Everyday Habits That Support Spinal Health
Long hours at a desk, poor posture while scrolling on a phone, or even sleeping in awkward positions can gradually wear down spinal alignment. Making small adjustments—like setting up a more ergonomic workspace or taking walking breaks—can ease that strain and promote better balance throughout the day.
Daily exercise matters, especially when it includes activities that strengthen the core and encourage flexibility. Simple habits like stretching upon waking or staying mindful of your posture while standing in line can go a long way. Over time, these efforts help reinforce spinal stability and overall resilience.
Building a Stronger Wellness Foundation
True wellness isn’t about one perfect habit—it’s about how your systems work together. When spinal health is factored into your routine alongside nutrition and exercise, everything starts to function more cohesively. The body recovers faster, moves with greater efficiency, and responds better to healthy habits.
Integrating spinal care into your lifestyle doesn’t require dramatic changes. It’s more about awareness and alignment—literally and figuratively. When the spine is supported, the entire body benefits, laying a more stable foundation for long-term vitality.
As the old adage goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This saying couldn’t be more relevant when it comes to our physical health, particularly in the context of injury prevention. Prehabilitation, a proactive approach to preventing injuries, has become an essential aspect of fitness and athletic training. By incorporating prehabilitation exercises into one’s routine, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of injury, thereby saving time and pain in the long run.
What is Prehabilitation?
Prehabilitation refers to the practice of engaging in specific exercises and stretches designed to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance overall physical resilience. The primary goal of prehabilitation is to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place, rather than treating them after they happen. By identifying potential weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the body, individuals can take proactive steps to address these issues before they become major problems.
The Importance of Injury Prevention
Injuries can be a significant setback for anyone, regardless of their fitness level or athletic background. Not only can they be painful and debilitating, but they can also lead to extended periods of downtime, causing frustration and disappointment. Moreover, injuries can have long-term consequences, such as chronic pain, limited mobility, and reduced overall quality of life. By prioritizing injury prevention through prehabilitation exercises, individuals can minimize the risk of injury and maintain optimal physical function.
Prehabilitation Exercises for Common Injuries
Certain exercises can help prevent common injuries, such as:
Knee Injuries: Strengthening the muscles around the knee, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip flexors, can help prevent knee injuries. Exercises like squats, lunges, and leg press can be effective in this regard.
Shoulder Injuries: Strengthening the muscles of the shoulder, including the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers, can help prevent shoulder injuries. Exercises like shoulder rotations, lateral raises, and scapular push-ups can be beneficial.
Lower Back Injuries: Strengthening the core muscles, including the abdominals and back muscles, can help prevent lower back injuries. Exercises like planks, bridges, and pelvic tilts can be effective in this regard.
Incorporating Prehabilitation into Your Routine
Incorporating prehabilitation exercises into one’s routine can be simple and straightforward. Here are some tips:
Start Slow: Begin with gentle exercises and gradually increase intensity and difficulty as your body adapts.
Focus on Functional Movements: Incorporate exercises that mimic daily movements and activities, such as squats, lunges, and step-ups.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals, and rest when needed. It’s essential to balance exercise with recovery to avoid overtraining and injury.
Make it a Habit: Incorporate prehabilitation exercises into your daily routine, such as during warm-ups or cool-downs, to make them a habitual part of your fitness regimen.
The Benefits of Prehabilitation
The benefits of prehabilitation are numerous and well-documented. Some of the advantages of incorporating prehabilitation exercises into your routine include:
Reduced Injury Risk: Prehabilitation exercises can help prevent injuries by strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and enhancing overall physical resilience.
Improved Performance: By reducing the risk of injury, prehabilitation exercises can help individuals perform at their best, whether in sports, fitness, or daily activities.
Enhanced Recovery: Prehabilitation exercises can also aid in recovery after exercise or competition, reducing muscle soreness and improving overall physical function.
Long-Term Health: Prioritizing prehabilitation can have long-term health benefits, reducing the risk of chronic pain, limited mobility, and reduced overall quality of life.
Common Prehabilitation Exercises
Some common prehabilitation exercises that can be incorporated into your routine include:
Foam Rolling: Foam rolling can help improve flexibility, reduce muscle tension, and enhance overall physical resilience.
Stretching: Static stretching, dynamic stretching, and mobility exercises can help improve flexibility, reduce muscle tension, and enhance overall physical function.
Strengthening Exercises: Resistance band exercises, free weights, and bodyweight exercises can help strengthen muscles, improve overall physical resilience, and reduce the risk of injury.
Plyometrics and Agility Drills: Plyometric exercises, such as jump squats and box jumps, and agility drills, such as cone drills and ladder drills, can help improve power, speed, and agility, while also reducing the risk of injury.
Conclusion
In conclusion, prehabilitation is a proactive approach to preventing injuries that can have a significant impact on one’s quality of life. By incorporating prehabilitation exercises into your routine, you can reduce the risk of injury, improve performance, and enhance overall physical function. Remember to start slow, focus on functional movements, listen to your body, and make prehabilitation a habitual part of your fitness regimen. With consistent practice and dedication, you can reap the benefits of prehabilitation and maintain optimal physical health for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between prehabilitation and rehabilitation?
A: Prehabilitation refers to the practice of preventing injuries before they occur, while rehabilitation refers to the process of treating and recovering from an injury.
Q: How often should I incorporate prehabilitation exercises into my routine?
A: It’s recommended to incorporate prehabilitation exercises into your routine 2-3 times per week, with at least one day of rest in between.
Q: Can prehabilitation exercises help with chronic pain?
A: Yes, prehabilitation exercises can help alleviate chronic pain by strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and enhancing overall physical resilience.
Q: Are prehabilitation exercises only for athletes?
A: No, prehabilitation exercises are beneficial for anyone, regardless of fitness level or athletic background, as they can help prevent injuries and improve overall physical function.
Q: How long does it take to see results from prehabilitation exercises?
A: The benefits of prehabilitation exercises can be seen in as little as a few weeks, but consistent practice and dedication are necessary to achieve optimal results.
For the first time in 20 years, the U.S. has recorded homegrown malaria cases.
The country sees about 2,000–2,500 malaria cases each year linked to travel to malaria-endemic areas such as sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America and Southeast Asia—but the nine locally transmitted cases seen so far this year were contracted by people who hadn’t recently traveled to these areas. Seven cases were recorded in Florida, and one each in Texas and Maryland.
Malaria experts say this handful of cases is no cause for panic—catching malaria in the U.S. is still highly unlikely. But they also underscore that if malaria and other diseases are re-emerging, or emerging in places where they haven’t previously been, it is a cause for concern.
The disease was endemic in the U.S. until the 1950s. In 1951, malaria was considered eliminated from the country.
Many factors contributed to achieving that status. Industrialization, the clearing of wetlands where mosquitoes breed, the use of insecticides and window screens—on top of public health measures like malaria-preventing drugs and improved diagnostics—were “game changers” in the U.S. and most other Western countries in terms of stamping out the disease, says Srinivasan.
Anopheles mosquitoes—the genus that carries malaria—is still present in the U.S. “But because malaria transmission in the United States has not been a big issue, there is no surveillance of Anopheles populations,” explains Photini Sinnis, MD, a professor in MMI and at the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute.
The Vectors and the Parasites
Malaria transmission “is a relationship between a mosquito, a parasite, and a person,” says Sinnis. A female Anopheles mosquito must be infected with the malaria parasite in order to pass on an infection. But there are many variables.
The lifespan of an Anopheles mosquito is typically a few weeks to a month, and in that time female mosquitoes feed on blood, which they need as a source of energy to mature eggs. A mosquito will typically take a couple of blood meals during its lifespan. The malaria parasite can persist in the mosquito for weeks, so it does have the potential to transmit to multiple people—but “the chances are pretty low,” explains Srinivasan.
And that’s why we’re seeing isolated cases, and not clusters or larger outbreaks.
Another factor: Not all Anopheles species transmit malaria the same way.
“It’s about how anthropophilic the mosquito is—how much it prefers to bite humans. Malaria parasites are very species-specific,” Sinnis explains. The various species of Anophelesin the U.S. will bite humans “maybe 30% to 50% of the time.” If a human is not available, they may bite a dog or another mammal instead, breaking the cycle of human infection.
The Anopheles mosquitoes found in sub-Saharan Africa, on the other hand, bite humans 98% of the time—making it far easier for the cycle of human infections to continue.
Another reason that not all malaria infections are the same: There are multiple malaria-causing parasites. The most deadly is Plasmodium falciparum, says Sinnis, which is most common in sub-Saharan Africa, where malaria kills over 600,000 people every year—95% of them children under age 5.
“It is estimated that one child dies of malaria every minute,” says Srinivasan.
Another malaria parasite, Plasmodium vivax, is more prevalent in South America and Southeast Asia and generally causes less severe disease—and is therefore less deadly.
How Malaria Likely (re)Appeared in the U.S.
Anopheles mosquitoes capable of carrying malaria are still very much present in the U.S.—they’ve just had very few opportunities to transmit the parasite because there are so few infected people to feed on.
Experts believe that this new spate of locally transmitted cases likely occurred because a specific set of circumstances aligned: A person infected with malaria traveled to the U.S. from a malaria-endemic area and was bitten by a local Anopheles mosquito, which picked up the parasite and then bit someone else, passing on the parasite.
While the case in Maryland is confirmed as linked to P. falciparum, those in Florida and Texas are believed to be linked to P. vivax, more likely originating in travelers from South America.
Symptoms and Treatments
Malaria causes flu-like symptoms like fever, body aches, vomiting, and chills. The disease can be treated with effective antimalarials and IV fluids, but it’s essential to catch it early.
A telltale sign of infection is cycles of fever every couple of days, which coincide with the life cycle of the parasite in the blood.
People in the U.S. needn’t panic, or even avoid spending time outdoors in hot and humid areas where mosquitoes thrive. But it’s worth knowing the symptoms and risks, Srinivasan advises: “If you have a fever, and they can’t figure out why you have a fever, [and] if you spend a lot of time outside where there’s a lot of heat and humidity, [malaria] should be considered, particularly because when you catch it early, you can treat it.”
Without treatment, the disease can progress to very severe or cerebral malaria. “Once you reach the cerebral malaria stage, even after anti-malarial treatment, [the] mortality rate can be as high as 20% to 25%,” Srinivasan says.
Malaria’s Expanding Territory and What We Can Expect in the Future
The U.S. does not currently have the conditions for a major outbreak, Sinnis explains. The country doesn’t have the species of mosquito that makes malaria so prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa—Anopheles gambiae. Plus, the cold of winter wipes out mosquito populations each year.
But conditions are becoming more favorable for malaria transmission. Warmer winters are giving the Anopheles mosquitoes an opportunity to start reproducing earlier—meaning that their populations grow to the point where they have a higher probability of biting an infected person who has been to a malaria-endemic area.
“These changes in the environment could be more conducive for these mosquitoes to establish a niche,” says Srinivasan. Plus, the uptick of travel since the downturn of COVID—and globalization in general—makes it easier for malaria to move around.
The post-COVID surge in travel has increased the reservoir for infection. Mosquitoes can reach new locations by “hitching a ride on cargo planes or ships, or passenger planes,” he says.
It remains to be seen whether more homegrown cases can be expected in the U.S. Sinnis says the next five years will be critical to understanding how much of a threat malaria really poses to the U.S. Either way, she hopes that this year’s cases will encourage more surveillance of Anopheles mosquitoes in the U.S.
“Is this just a random event? Or is this a harbinger of things to come? It may be that there are going to be sporadic cases here to stay. We don’t know yet. Time will tell,” says Sinnis.
Annalies Winny is a producer and writer at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Longevity scientists focus on autophagy due to its role in cellular repair, a process that degrades damaged proteins and organelles to maintain healthy cells. Autophagy benefits extend to reducing age-related diseases and promoting lifespan extension in various organisms. In longevity science, enhancing this mechanism counters aging hallmarks like inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction.
What Is Autophagy?
Autophagy serves as the body’s cellular housekeeping system, where cells engulf and break down dysfunctional components for recycling. This process activates under stress conditions such as nutrient scarcity, enabling cellular repair by clearing debris that accumulates with age. Longevity science views autophagy’s decline as a key driver of pathologies including neurodegeneration and metabolic disorders.
Discovered by Yoshinori Ohsumi, whose 2016 Nobel Prize work highlighted its mechanisms, autophagy involves forming autophagosomes that fuse with lysosomes for degradation. In humans, basal autophagy sustains daily cellular maintenance, while induced forms respond to fasting or exercise, according to Harvard Health.
Autophagy benefits include preserved energy production and reduced oxidative stress, positioning it central to longevity science efforts. Recent 2025 research from the World Longevity Summit in Kyotango reinforces autophagy’s molecular basis, with ATG genes enabling selective forms like xenophagy for pathogen clearance and lysophagy for organelle renewal.
How Does Autophagy Promote Longevity?
Autophagy promotes longevity by mitigating oxidative damage and supporting mitochondrial health, essential for energy and cellular repair. Studies in yeast, worms, and mice demonstrate that boosting autophagy genes extends lifespan, often via pathways like mTOR inhibition. Longevity science links this to evolutionary advantages in long-lived species like whales and naked mole rats, where high autophagic activity correlates with disease resistance.
Enhanced autophagy preserves proteostasis, preventing protein aggregates seen in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It also fosters metabolic flexibility, allowing cells to adapt to nutrient shifts and reduce inflammation. Pharmacological agents like rapamycin, which induce autophagy, extend mouse lifespan, underscoring its therapeutic potential in longevity science.
Breakthroughs in 2025, such as AutoPhagyGO’s human autophagy measurement tools and Rubicon protein suppression, show lifespan extension in models by countering age-related autophagy inhibitors, enhancing motor function and reducing senescence signals.
What Are Autophagy Benefits for Healthy Aging?
Autophagy benefits for healthy aging include neuroprotection by clearing toxic proteins linked to cognitive decline. Cellular repair through this process supports stem cell renewal and telomere maintenance, delaying senescence. Longevity science research shows autophagy reduces frailty, cancer risk, and chronic inflammation, improving overall healthspan.
Additional autophagy benefits encompass better insulin sensitivity for diabetes prevention and enhanced immune function against infections. In brain health, it combats oxidative stress, preserving memory and slowing Parkinson’s progression.
These effects make autophagy a cornerstone of longevity science strategies for disease mitigation, with 2025 studies highlighting its dual role in aging and cancer suppression by recycling molecules during tumor stress.
Clears damaged mitochondria, boosting energy and reducing reactive oxygen species.
Promotes DNA repair and epigenetic stability for youthful gene expression.
Aids fat metabolism, supporting weight control and cardiovascular health.
Suppresses senescence via Rubicon modulation, extending functional lifespan.
How to Induce Autophagy for Longevity?
Fasting induces autophagy by mimicking starvation, activating AMPK and inhibiting mTOR to trigger cellular repair. Intermittent fasting protocols, like 16:8 or 24-hour fasts, elevate autophagic flux within 12-24 hours, aligning with longevity science findings from experts like Valter Longo. Caloric restriction similarly extends lifespan in models by sustaining autophagy.
Exercise stimulates autophagy through muscle stress, enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and insulin sensitivity, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Compounds like resveratrol, spermidine, and metformin pharmacologically boost it, with trials showing lifespan benefits in animals.
Emerging 2025 options include IU1 for dual proteasome-autophagy activation and food molecules like fermented teas that trick cells into youth-like cleanup. Longevity science recommends combining these, fasting with activity, for optimal autophagy benefits without extremes.
Heat exposure via saunas and polyphenol-rich diets further promote autophagy. Consistency yields cumulative cellular repair, but consulting professionals ensures safety, especially for those with conditions. AutoPhagyGO’s lifestyle programs integrate diet, exercise, and AI-tracked supplements like Awabancha extract, achieving 14% lifespan gains in worms superior to rapamycin.
Longevity scientists prioritize autophagy for its proven role across species in extending healthy years. Ongoing 2025 trials, including XPRIZE challenges, explore drugs and measurable interventions targeting its pathways, promising interventions for age-related decline. Autophagy benefits and cellular repair mechanisms offer a blueprint for healthier aging.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is autophagy safe to induce through fasting for everyone?
Autophagy induction via fasting carries risks for certain groups, such as pregnant individuals, those with eating disorders, or people on medications affecting blood sugar. Clinical studies emphasize monitoring by healthcare providers to avoid nutrient deficiencies or metabolic stress, particularly in older adults where baseline autophagy may already be low.
Longevity science trials, like those on intermittent time-restricted eating, confirm benefits in healthy obese adults but stress personalized approaches.
2. What role does autophagy play in cancer prevention versus progression?
Autophagy acts dualistically in cancer: early stages promote cellular repair to suppress tumors by eliminating damaged cells, while advanced cancers exploit it for survival under stress. 2025 research positions it as a convergence point, where inhibitors or activators could target specific phases, but human trials remain exploratory. Longevity science views balanced autophagy as protective against oncogenic mutations.
3. Are there genetic factors influencing autophagy efficiency for longevity?
Genetic variations in ATG genes affect autophagy flux, with some alleles linked to faster aging in model organisms due to condition-dependent impairments. Human studies suggest polymorphisms influence responses to inducers like daf-2 mutations analogs, impacting lifespan extension potential. Longevity science explores these for personalized interventions, as seen in long-lived species genetics.
4. How do emerging drugs like AA-20 differ from rapamycin in autophagy activation?
AA-20 enhances autophagy without mTORC1 inhibition, reducing lipid and protein aggregates to extend lifespan in nematodes via TFEB pathways. Unlike rapamycin’s broad immunosuppression risks, AA-20 shows promise for proteinopathies without pathway overlap, per 2025 preclinical data. This positions it as a safer candidate in longevity science pipelines.
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This year, for the first time in my life, I experienced intense chronic pain that turned everything upside down and lasted nearly four months. As someone who loves movement and lives a very active life, waking up one day with back pain that kept getting worse to the point where I couldn’t do simple daily tasks was one of the hardest experiences I’ve ever had.
Fortunately, I did get better. And from this horrible experience, I’m sharing four lessons I hope I’ll return to if something like this ever happens again.
How It Started
It all started in mid-January. One day I woke up feeling great, taught a yoga class, then taught my middle school PE students. The next morning, I woke up with strange discomfort and an inability to bend forward. Literally. I could not bend more than one inch. Try washing your face without bending forward and you’ll understand how disorienting it was. I assumed it was a minor strain that would disappear in a day or two. I’d never had back issues before.
But the pain didn’t go away. It got worse. Soon I couldn’t sleep in my bed. I moved to the floor. Then to my daughter’s room, thinking a firmer surface would help. When getting up caused violent back spasms that lasted 15 minutes or longer, I tried sleeping on a massage table so I could “slide off” and avoid spasms due to standing, but the narrow surface only led to more pain and sleep anxiety that I would somehow fall off. At one point I placed a folding table on top of my bed so I could sleep higher up on a wider surface. That didn’t work either.
Sleeping was terrible. Sitting was unbearable. Lying down on the couch was impossible. Every position triggered more pain instead of relief. I even tried wearing adult diapers one night so I wouldn’t have to get up to pee. Did it work? Absolutely not. Nothing was working.
I tried walking, because everyone says movement helps, but even that made little difference. I was taking Tylenol around the clock—1,000 mg every four hours, well above the recommended dose—because I didn’t know what else to do.
I saw doctors and specialists and even agreed to pay $4,800 to a chiropractor who confidently said he could fix me in a few months. When you are desperate, you will try almost anything. But that, like almost everything else, just led to more spasms, more pain, and eventually… depression.
Chronic pain isn’t just physical. It strips down your sense of self and disconnects you from the world around you.
After three to four months of hell, I did improve. I can move again. I can sleep in my own bed again. I’m off all pain meds. I got my life back. And now that I’m finally on the other side, here are the four biggest takeaways I want to remember, and offer to anyone else navigating something similar.
1. Meditation: A Lifeline in the Darkest Tunnel
I kept meditating throughout the whole experience. Looking back, I probably should have meditated even more. The science on meditation as a tool for pain management and healing is strong, but when you’re in the middle of pain and fear, it’s easy to forget that.
My mind was constantly spinning:
Will this ever stop?
Will I ever move normally again?
What if this is permanent?
That stress response only made things worse. When the body is in a near-constant state of fear, cortisol rises, inflammation rises, and the pain cycle deepens.
Meditation didn’t magically erase the pain, but it did give me something crucial: a sense of agency and grounding. It gave my nervous system micro-moments of rest when nothing else could. It helped me separate the physical sensation from the emotional storm on top of it, the fear, the frustration, the grief. Even when nothing else worked, meditation was something I could still do, and that alone gave me a small sense of power in a situation that felt completely out of my control.
I could not have gone through this alone. I needed help getting dressed. Putting on socks became the hardest task of the day. I couldn’t wash dishes, cook, or do basic errands. I had to lean on friends and family in ways that felt very vulnerable.
One of my coworkers started sticking medicated patches on my back every morning before class and hugging me while I cried. We had met only one month prior so this was truly something I’ll never forget. I didn’t expect that kind of intimacy or kindness, but I needed it.
Chronic pain is isolating. The world keeps spinning around you while you feel frozen in suffering. And even when people ask how you are, it can feel easier to say “I’m fine” than to repeat the pain story again. I worried I was unloading too much on people, or repeating myself, or boring them, or even boring myself. But pain takes over everything. It becomes the soundtrack of your life. Pretending you’re okay makes it worse.
Chronic pain is isolating. The world keeps spinning around you while you feel frozen in suffering.
Let people in. Accept help even if it feels uncomfortable. If someone you love were going through this, you would want to support them. Let others do the same for you.
3. Advocate Relentlessly for Yourself
I went into this experience genuinely trusting that the medical system would help me. It was eye-opening to realize how many times I was offered narcotics within minutes, while no one seemed that interested in actually diagnosing the cause of my pain.
I saw multiple doctors, but no one was connecting the dots. I had to push for every referral, every test, every possibility. In the end, I now strongly suspect there was a connection between my ulcerative colitis and this sudden, severe back pain. But no one suggested that. I had to piece it together myself. And it still isn’t officially confirmed, which leaves me with lingering anxiety that it could return.
Our medical system is often set up to treat symptoms, not root causes. If I hadn’t kept questioning, kept insisting, kept searching, I might still be stuck in that pain. You know your body better than anyone. So my encouragement is to keep asking. Keep digging. Keep pushing.
4. Treat Yourself
Managing pain can drain the joy from daily life, but that’s exactly when it becomes most important to find small and big ways to bring joy back in. It might be as simple as stocking your shower with your favorite soap (Jason’s Rose body wash for example!), listening to a beloved album (“Dehd” on repeat), or ordering Thai three nights in a row because it’s the only thing that brings comfort (giant garlicky noodles please!).
During my back ordeal, at one of the lowest points when I truly wondered if I’d ever feel like myself again, I made a promise: if I could move freely again, I would get my first tattoo. The design would be the mountain in the French Alps that my family’s home faces. I love that mountain with all my heart. Now it lives on my upper arm, and every time I see it, I’m reminded that I went through something hard, and grew because of it.
The author with her promised tattoo
The Road to Healing
My journey lasted almost 12 weeks. What a wild beginning to 2025 that was! I came out the other side with a deeper understanding of what it means to live inside a body in pain, and how to fight your way back. Now that I am pain-free, I am overflowing with gratitude for something I once took for granted: simply being able to move.
If you’re in your own battle with chronic pain, here is what I most want you to know:
Anchor yourself to something that brings even a moment of relief: meditation, breathwork, visualization, prayer, music.
Do not isolate. Let your people love you.
Be loud in the medical world. Keep pushing until someone listens.
Invite more sensorial pleasure into your daily rituals.
Pain can take so much from you. It can strip away identity, joy, confidence. But it can’t take away your ability to keep moving toward healing, even if that movement is invisible from the outside. One of my close friends offered me a metaphor that really shifted my perspective. She told me to imagine I was a diamond miner, digging and digging, exhausted, convinced I was still far from treasure. But in reality, the diamond might be just inches away, even if it feels miles out of reach. Her reminder was simple: don’t give up. Breakthroughs can happen suddenly, and everything can change for the better, even when it looks like nothing is working.
Pain can take so much from you. It can strip away identity, joy, confidence. But it can’t take away your ability to keep moving toward healing, even if that movement is invisible from the outside.
You are still here. Even in your darkest moment, there is still a way forward. So line that yellow brick path that is your life with treasure chests of joy-bursts along the way.
A Practice for When Pain Is Present
When back pain is flaring, or any kind of tension or ache feels alive in the body, this gentle meditation can help ease discomfort and open the door to reconnecting with joy.
