122 million Americans have high blood pressure | Top 10

+ why do we need political parties? US Edition - Today's top story: Many Americans wrongly assume they understand what normal blood pressure is – and that false confidence can be deadly [View in browser]( US Edition | 26 February 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Happy Sunday. Welcome to the best of The Conversation. When the nurse at my doctor’s office reads out the numbers after taking my blood pressure, I generally remark “I have no idea what that means.” It turns out I’m a pretty average American – at least in this regard. According to a recent survey, only 39% of American understand blood pressure readings. The survey was conducted by Wändi Bruine de Bruin, a health communications expert at the USC Dornsife, and Mark Huffman, a cardiologist at Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to sharing their survey results, they offer 10 tips for fighting this silent killer, including this no-nonsense recommendation: [“If you smoke, vape or both: Quit now.”]( Later this week, we’ll bring you stories about regulating artificial intelligence, meeting the mental health needs of earthquake survivors and how the discovery of a new exoplanet represents a shift in exoplanet science. Just published: - [What is spillover? Bird flu outbreak underscores need for early detection to prevent the next big pandemic]( - [Historic UAW election is bringing profound changes to the autoworker union’s leadership – and chances of better pay, more strikes and higher car prices]( Emily Costello Managing Editor Readers' picks High blood pressure has no symptoms, so you could have it and not be aware. nortonsx/iStock via Getty Images Plus [Many Americans wrongly assume they understand what normal blood pressure is – and that false confidence can be deadly]( Wändi Bruine de Bruin, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Mark Huffman, Washington University in St Louis Nearly half of all Americans ages 20 and up have high blood pressure. Yet research shows that most people in the US don’t know the cutoff numbers for healthy blood pressure. - [Ukraine war has exposed the folly – and unintended consequences – of ‘armed missionaries’]( Ronald Suny, University of Michigan A year into the war in Ukraine, a historian reflects on how it has affected the geopolitical environment. - [In rural America, right-to-repair laws are the leading edge of a pushback against growing corporate power]( Leland Glenna, Penn State Corporations restrict what farmers can do with their own seeds, as well as their farm equipment when it breaks down. - [Extra SNAP benefits are ending as US lawmakers resume battle over program that helps low-income Americans buy food]( Tracy Roof, University of Richmond More than 41 million people rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to buy their groceries. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the program ramped up. - [How vinyl chloride, the chemical in the Ohio train derailment and used to make PVC plastics, can damage your liver]( Juliane I. Beier, University of Pittsburgh Vinyl chloride dilutes fairly quickly in outside air and water. One concern for lingering exposure from the derailment involves private wells. Editors' picks Social media can sometimes damage the self-esteem of teen girls. stock-eye/iStock via Getty Images Plus [How to help teen girls’ mental health struggles – 6 research-based strategies for parents, teachers and friends]( Elizabeth Englander, Bridgewater State University; Meghan K. McCoy, Bridgewater State University The mental health of teenagers has grown far worse over the last decade. But a new report shows that, compared with boys, teen girls are disproportionately experiencing sadness and hopelessness. - [All wars eventually end – here are 3 situations that will lead Russia and Ukraine to make peace]( Andrew Blum, University of San Diego Questions about whether warring parties agree about how the war will end and the costs of war or peace are all key factors to help assess when a conflict might end. - [Imagination makes us human – this unique ability to envision what doesn’t exist has a long evolutionary history]( Andrey Vyshedskiy, Boston University By learning what parts of the brain are crucial for imagination to work, neuroscientists can look back over hundreds of millions of years of evolution to figure out when it first emerged. - [Do we need political parties? In theory, they’re the sort of organization that could bring Americans together in larger purpose]( Maurizio Valsania, Università di Torino Americans are not the first to fret over the potential harm that parties can inflict. But parties can also promote the common interest. - [Lent is here – remind me what it’s all about? 5 essential reads]( Molly Jackson, The Conversation A roundup of The Conversation’s articles about this holy Christian season and its history. News Quiz 🧠- [The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz]( Fritz Holznagel, The Conversation Test your reading with a weekly quiz drawn from some of our favorite stories. Questions this week on Jimmy Carter, tattoos, literary revisions and stargazing. Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our other weekly emails: [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](