Notes on preparedness

September 2026

New Year, New Kit: A 2027 Preparedness Checklist

Your medical kit deserves the same annual check-up as your smoke detectors. Here's a simple, once-a-year checklist to keep it ready for whatever 2027 brings.

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August 2026

What Rising Health Insurance Premiums Mean for How Families Are Rethinking Their Backup Plan

Health insurance premiums have risen sharply for millions of Americans in 2026. Here's what the numbers actually show, and how families are adjusting how they handle everyday medical needs.

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July 2026

227 Drugs and Counting: What the Drug Shortage List Means for You

U.S. drug shortages have risen for three straight quarters in 2026. Here's what's actually driving it, and why having key medicines on hand before you're sick matters more than ever.

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June 2026

Booking a 2027 Trip? Here's Why the CDC Still Says Don't Rely on Local Pharmacies

As international travel bookings pick up for the year ahead, the CDC's guidance hasn't changed: bring what you need from home. Here's why, and what to actually pack.

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May 2026

2026 Is a Record Tick Year: What Hunters, Hikers, and Landowners Need to Know

ER visits for tick bites are up more than 25% this year, and the CDC projects over 500,000 Lyme disease cases in 2026. Here's what outdoor enthusiasts need to know before the season winds down.

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March 2026

What Actually Belongs in a Medical Go-Bag (And What's Just Marketing)

Not every "emergency medical kit" on the market can actually handle a medical emergency. Here's what a real medical go-bag needs, and the gaps most kits leave wide open.

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November 2025

Grid-Down Thanksgiving: A Family Medical Plan for Hosting Season

Between winter storms, houseguests, and cold-and-flu season, Thanksgiving week is a bigger medical wildcard than most families plan for. Here's how to host with confidence.

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August 2025

Hurricane Season Is Here: The Prescription Checklist Nobody Sends You

NOAA expects a below-normal 2026 hurricane season. But experts warn it only takes one storm. Here's how to protect your medicine before the power goes out.

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June 2025

The Nearest ER Is 45 Minutes Away: What Rural Hospital Closures Mean for Your Family

More than 700 rural hospitals are at risk of closing. Here's what that means for families who no longer live within easy reach of emergency care, and how to plan around it.

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March 2025

Spring Break With Kids: A Parent's Guide to Traveling Without a Local Doctor

Traveling with kids means a wider range of things that can go wrong, and a smaller margin for scrambling to find care. Here's how to plan ahead for spring break.

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February 2025

Altitude Sickness 101: What First-Time Ski and Mountain Travelers Should Know

Heading to a ski town or mountain destination this winter? Here's what altitude sickness actually is, who's at risk, and the warning signs that mean it's time to descend.

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January 2025

Flu, RSV, and Strep All at Once: A Decision Framework for Winter Illness at Home

Winter respiratory season means flu, RSV, COVID, and strep are all circulating together. Here's how to think through when to treat at home and when it's time to seek care.

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December 2024

Be Ready for Anything: Smart Medical Preparedness for Travel and Beyond

True preparedness isn't about fearing the worst — it's about empowering yourself to handle it with confidence.

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