top of page
Learn


Year in Review: Major Healthcare & Tech Breakthroughs of the Year and What They Mean for You
Healthcare didn’t just “improve” this year; it changed direction. Instead of reacting to illness after it happens, medicine is shifting toward early detection, personalization, and access. Technology played a major role in that shift. Here are the most important healthcare and health-tech breakthroughs of the year, explained with real examples and exactly why they matter to you. 1. AI Is Now Catching Diseases Earlier Than Ever Before Artificial intelligence had one of its bi
Laylah W
1 day ago4 min read


Sleep Science: What Happens While You Sleep and Why It’s Critical for Teens
Sleep is often treated like an inconvenience, something we sacrifice for homework, sports, jobs, social lives, or late-night scrolling. For teens especially, sleep can feel optional. But scientifically, sleep is one of the most important biological processes happening in your body, and adolescence is one of the most sleep-dependent stages of life. Sleep isn’t just “rest.” While you’re asleep, your brain and body are actively working, strengthening memories, regulating emotio
Laylah W
Dec 224 min read


Understanding Fine Motor Skills
Introduction There are a lot of parts of our lives that we tend to forget about because of how simple they seem to be, regardless of their genuine importance or role in our lives. Such examples includethe good food we eat, the sights of the neighborhood we grew up in, and our friends. Another great example of something that I believe we tend to take advantage of is our fine motor skills. Fine motor skills help us do what we want to do, so why ignore their significance? Fin
Gabrielle B
Dec 133 min read


Vaccines: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They Still Matter (A Teen-Friendly Deep Dive)
If you grew up getting shots at the doctor’s office, you might think vaccines are just another annoying part of childhood, right up there with long school days and the fact that Algebra II exists. But vaccines are actually one of the most powerful tools humans have ever created to protect ourselves from disease. And with social media full of half-truths, myths, and “my friend said…” posts, it’s more important than ever to understand what they actually do. This guide breaks d
Laylah W
Dec 84 min read


STEM Careers in Healthcare: What Does a Biomedical Engineer Do?
When most people think of healthcare, they picture doctors, nurses, paramedics, or the specialists you see in a clinic. But behind every MRI scan, prosthetic limb, heart monitor, or insulin pump is an entire world of science and engineering that makes modern medicine possible. And at the center of that world? Biomedical engineers. If you’re a teen interested in STEM, health, technology, or problem-solving, biomedical engineering (BME) might be the perfect blend of everything
Laylah W
Nov 304 min read


The Immune System: The Basics and How to Keep it Strong
Every single day, your body quietly fights off millions of microscopic invaders, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins, and you don’t even notice. That’s all thanks to your immune system, a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that act like your body’s personal security team. When it’s strong, you recover faster, stay energized, and rarely get sick. But when it’s weakened, from stress, poor nutrition, or lack of sleep, you might notice more colds, fatigue, or slower
Laylah W
Oct 274 min read


Rising Rates of Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents
Introduction Type 2 diabetes is something that we all think of as adults. But in the past few years, physicians have been seeing something alarming: an increasing more teenagers are being diagnosed with it. It's not a fringe issue. It's an indication that our lifestyle, what we eat, and how we move has shifted enough to influence younger people's health. Understanding. Why and how it is happening makes us see what can be done before it gets even bigger. What is Type 2 Diabet
Rosie
Oct 263 min read


Forensic Pathology
What is Forensic Pathology? Forensic pathology is done to determine the cause and time of death. The difference between forensic pathology and clinical pathology is that while forensic pathologists work in the forensic department and deal with crime-related things, clinical pathologists mostly work in hospitals and determine diseases via bodily fluids. Additional forensic Pathologists often deal with sudden, violent, or unexpected deaths. They collect evidence from a body fo
Yaren
Oct 171 min read


Exercise & the Mind-Body Connection: The Science of How Moving Your Body Can Heal Your Mind
Introduction When people talk about exercise, most of us think about the physical side of it, getting stronger, losing weight, or...
Laylah W
Oct 94 min read


The Importance Of Daily Exercise For Teens
What is exercise? Exercise is any purposeful physical activity that requires effort and improves or maintains both your mental and...
Kieran
Oct 92 min read


Why Drinking Water Is Important for Kids
Introduction Hi, and welcome to the HEAL blog. Have you ever wondered why everyone keeps telling you to drink more water? Maybe your...
Rebecca
Sep 302 min read


The Defunding of Medicaid: The Basics
Introduction Medicaid, as defined by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is a ‘joint federal and state program...
Gabrielle B
Sep 95 min read


The Healthcare Staff Shortage in the United States
Introduction You might have seen the sentence “Not all heroes wear capes” somewhere in your neighborhood. This simple yet powerful...
Gabrielle B
Aug 183 min read


Breaking Down the One Big Beautiful Bill: What It Means for Healthcare
Hello and welcome to the HEAL blog! Let’s talk about something important that just happened (on July 4th, 2025). A law called The One...
Brycen W
Jul 113 min read


What Every Teen Should Know About Going to the Doctor
Hi and welcome to The HEAL Blog! Going to the doctor as a teen can feel awkward and anxiety-inducing. Whether it's a normal checkup or...
Brycen W
Jun 305 min read


“I Didn’t Know It Was That Serious”: A Teen’s Experience With a Blood Transfusion
At HEAL, we believe that hearing directly from real people, especially other teens, makes healthcare more understandable and more human. That’s why we’re excited to share this interview with someone who has firsthand experience navigating the healthcare system. Their insights show just how important communication, clarity, and confidence are, especially for young people. Brycen is a 16 year old girl who lives a normal life. She has a sister, two dogs, and enjoys to read and
Laylah W
Jun 243 min read


Health Insurance Made Easy: What Teens Need to Know
Hi and welcome to the HEAL Blog! Let’s be honest, when someone says “health insurance,” most people either tune out or instantly feel...
Laylah W
Jun 233 min read


Join the HEAL Movement: Breaking Down Barriers to Teen Healthcare
Hello and welcome to The HEAL Project! We are so glad you're here! As an organization run by teens, for teens we aim to maximize and...
Laylah W
Jun 164 min read
bottom of page