Poor balance, a persistent problem for millions of Americans, triggers many falls. In young, healthy adults, balance is largely an automatic reflex. However, gradual changes linked to growing older-such as weak or inflexible muscles, slower reflexes, and worsening eyesight-affect the sense of balance. Certain health problems-such as inner ear disorders, neuropathy, and heart rhythm disturbances-may upset balance, too. So can alcohol and many medications....

Is joint pain holding you back? Perhaps an achy ankle or sore knee is making it difficult to enjoy a run through your favorite park or even a short walk? Or a throbbing hip or shoulder prevents you from driving a golf ball down the fairway or from performing simple tasks like carrying a bag of groceries into your home? The exercises in this report can help relieve ankle, knee, hip, or shoulder pain, and help you become more active again, which in...

Positive emotions have been linked with better health, longer life, and greater well-being in numerous scientific studies. On the other hand, chronic anger, worry, and hostility increase the risk of developing heart disease, as people react to these feelings with raised blood pressure and stiffening of blood vessels. But it isn't easy to maintain a healthy, positive emotional state. People often misjudge what will make them happy and content. Positive...

"Black Lives Matter covers the shootings that touched off passionate protests, the work of activists to bring about a more just legal system, and the tensions in US society that these events have brought to light." --

Ebola Outbreak covers the history of the Ebola virus, the devastating 2014 epidemic, and the quarantine controversies that captured national headlines, exploring how the fear of a disease can sometimes be as dangerous as the disease itself. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Religion and Free Speech covers events ranging from the Charlie Hebdo attacks in France to prayer in schools to denying service to gay customers, exploring how free speech and religious freedom overlap and sometimes conflict in modern society. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

US-Cuba Relations covers the history of the United States' and Cuba's relationship, how both countries are working to mend their relations, and what the future may hold for these close neighbors and their citizens. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Fracking covers the controversies of the fracking industry, examining the different perspectives and the potential risks and benefits of fracking. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

Gun Control and the Second Amendment covers the history of gun control and the laws' relationships to the Second Amendment, the controversies surrounding what types of gun control are legal and effective, and what gun control and gun violence look like today in the United States and around the world. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

The Rising Cost of Education covers the skyrocketing tuition fees for higher education, explaining just how expensive tuition is as well as what causes its increase and the risks it poses for Americans. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.