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In 2022, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) published updated pneumococcal vaccine recommendations.¹ The committee recommended adults aged 65 years and older who have not received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) or those whose history is unknown receive a single dose of either the 20-valent PCV (PCV20) or 15-valent PCV (PCV15) vaccines. Additionally, when PCV15 is used, a single dose of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) should follow.

However, 21 months after the updated recommendations, fewer than 1 in 7 US adults had received a dose of the PCV20 vaccine and uptake remained low among at-risk or high-risk adults and those without prior vaccination. The data, published in the journal AJPM Focus, highlight the importance of implementing strategies to improve vaccine uptake.²

“Observed low levels of pneumococcal vaccine uptake among eligible US adults persist despite major US public health goals focusing on increasing their use,” the authors wrote. “Increasing pneumococcal vaccine uptake is especially important in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted routine immunization services and highlighted the vulnerability of adults to respiratory infections.”

A team of investigators from Avalere Health and Pfizer conducted a study to assess uptake of pneumococcal vaccine recommendations and disparities in uptake across subgroups of adult patients. The retrospective cohort study gathered data from the Optum de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart Database from January 2015 through October 2023. The study also included data from adults aged 65 years and older who were enrolled in the Medicare Advantage program.

The study cohort included 6.8 million adult patients who were enrolled in a health plan as of January 2022 that contributed data to the Optum database. Approximately 86% were 65 years of age or older, 56% were female, 38% were considered low-risk, 39% were at-risk and 22% were high-risk. Of those, 38% had evidence of pneumococcal vaccination prior to January 2022.

The study found that the uptake of pneumococcal vaccines 21 months after the updated recommendations was 13.2%, with the highest during the first 6 months being the PPSV23 vaccine. By the end of the study period, use of PCV20 was highest at 9.6%, followed by PPSV23 at 3%, PCV13 at 0.8% and PCV15 at 0.2%. Uptake of the PCV20 vaccine was highest among adults aged 65 to 66 years and lowest among at-risk and high-risk adults between the ages of 19 to 49 years.

“While pneumococcal disease decreased during the [COVID-19] pandemic, the incidence has since resurged, and with it the potential for vaccination to improve health outcomes as well as reduce the economic burden on the healthcare system,” the authors concluded. “Accordingly, new and/or better uptake strategies involving educational campaigns, improving vaccine access and affordability, strengthening the provider recommendation, and integrating vaccination with other preventive services are needed.”

READ MORE: Pneumococcal Resource Center

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References

1. Kobayashi M, Farrar JL, Gierke R, et al. Use of 15-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine and 20-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Among U.S. Adults: Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:109–117. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7104a1.

2. Averin A, Vietri J, Mohs AA, et al. Uptake of Pneumococcal Vaccines Among United States Adults Following 2022 Update to Recommendations. AJPM Focus. 2025,100384, ISSN 2773-0654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focus.2025.100384.

You’ve probably heard the silly song about beans being the “magical fruit.” And while it’s meant to make kids laugh, there’s some truth to the jingle. For many, eating beans can lead to uncomfortable side effects like gas, bloating or general digestive upset, but it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Beans are one of the most cost-effective, accessible and delicious ways to boost your intake of fiber and plant-based protein. They’re also packed with important nutrients like potassium, magnesium, iron and B vitamins. In fact, research shows that people who eat more beans tend to get more of several nutrients most Americans fall short on, including choline, folate and calcium, and tend to have lower body weight and waist circumference compared to those who skip them.

So, if beans bother your stomach, don’t give up on them just yet. Dietitians shared their favorite simple tricks—from choosing the right bean to how you cook them—to help you enjoy the health benefits of beans without the stomach ache. 

Start Small

“If you don’t consume beans regularly, introducing them gradually can help build your gut’s tolerance to them by adjusting the gut microbiome,” says Avery Zenker, RD. One reason why beans can produce an increase in gas is because of their high levels of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), a non-digestible, rapidly fermenting carbohydrate.

While starting small will help reduce symptoms, don’t expect to get off the hook completely if you’re just beginning to add beans into your routine. “Some gas and bloating when initially introducing beans is normal,” says Zenker, who recommends starting with just a quarter cup per day or less as you adjust. Within about two weeks of adding beans to your diet, you should start to notice your gas levels returning to baseline.

Soak and Rinse Them

“If you’re cooking dry beans, soak them overnight and discard the soaking water before cooking. This helps remove some of the gas-producing compounds like oligosaccharides,” says Sapna Peruvemba, M.S., RDN. 

How long should you soak dried beans? Research shows that soaking beans for at least six hours may help reduce the gas-producing GOS content by 10 to 40 percent, depending on the type of bean. After soaking your beans, you’ll want to rinse them thoroughly to remove any GOS that leached into the water. “If you’re using canned beans, rinse them thoroughly under running water to reduce those same compounds and excess sodium,” says Peruvemba. 

Choose a Different Type of Bean

If one type of bean seems to cause uncomfortable gas, bloating, or cramping, try switching to a different variety. In one older, small study, 50 percent of participants experienced an increase in gas when adding half a cup of pinto or baked beans to their daily diet, but only 19 percent experienced this symptom when eating lower-fiber black-eyed peas.

“Lentils (including brown, green and red), mung beans, adzuki beans, fava beans, split peas, edamame and black eyed peas tend to be the easiest to digest and cause the least discomfort,” says Zenker. But, because every person’s gut microbiome operates a little differently, you may have to do some experimenting to see which type of bean you tolerate best. 

Try a Digestive Enzyme

The reason GOS causes our stomachs such distress is that we don’t have the enzyme needed to digest it. “Taking a digestive enzyme like alpha-galactosidase with your first bite can help reduce gas and bloating by breaking down the fibers found in beans,” says Keren Reiser, RD.

In most cases, a digestive enzyme will start working to break down fibers and sugars before they reach the colon, where they would otherwise be fermented by bacteria and release gas as a byproduct. But if you’re eating large amounts of beans, you may still experience some discomfort, even with an enzyme. 

With any supplement, make sure to check with a healthcare provider before trying something new, and prioritize supplements that are independently verified for safety.  

Other Tips for Improving Gut Health

• Go low and slow with fiber: Whether you’re increasing your intake of beans or increasing your overall fiber intake, the key is to avoid too much too fast. “Fiber is so important for optimal gut health, but it really needs to be introduced slowly,” says Liz McMahon, M.P.H., RDN, who recommends starting with small portions of fiber-rich foods and drinking plenty of water. 
• Try deep breathing before eating: If you’re anticipating an upset stomach, that stress may increase the chances of your worries coming true. Through the gut-brain axis (or the connection between how your gut and brain communicate), psychological stress can disrupt digestion and motility while influencing the gut microbiome. “Try diaphragmatic breathing before eating to help prepare your gut for digestion and ease potential discomfort,” says Amy Brownstein, M.S., RDN. 
• Go for a walk after eating: “A short walk—just 15 to 30 minutes—after a bean-rich meal can help support digestion and reduce bloating,” says Peruvemba. One small study found that a 10- to 15-minute walk after eating was as effective as prokinetic medication at relieving fullness and bloating symptoms.

Our Expert Take 

Beans are a nutrient-rich food with a number of health benefits, but can also cause gas and bloating for some people. The good news is that you don’t have to avoid legumes; you may just need to take a few extra steps to reduce the gas-producing effects of beans. By starting with small portions, choosing a lower-fiber bean, soaking and rinsing them before eating, and using a digestive enzyme if needed, you can comfortably enjoy the health benefits and flavors of beans. 

Want to remember things better as you get older? The secret might be surprisingly simple: focus on feeling good.

Recent research involving over 10,000 people aged 50 and above has found that people with higher wellbeing perform better on memory tests as they age. The study, which followed participants for 16 years, checked their wellbeing and memory every two years.

The researchers expected that good memory might improve wellbeing, but found no evidence for that.

Instead, it was wellbeing that predicted better memory performance over time.

Related: Surprise Discovery About Sugar in The Brain Could Help Fight Alzheimer’s

The study also found that the link between wellbeing and memory stayed strong even after taking things like depression into account. This means wellbeing may affect memory on its own, not just through effects on mood.

However, the study’s authors acknowledge some limitations that should be taken into account when considering the real-life application of their findings.

The study relied on people reporting their own wellbeing, which can be biased – some people might overestimate how good they feel. The research also can’t prove that wellbeing directly causes better memory – other factors like income or life experiences might play a role.

Also, the memory tests used were relatively simple and might not capture the full complexities of how memory works in real life.

Despite these limitations, the study offers a compelling reason to invest in your wellbeing now. Here are five evidence-based strategies to increase the positive emotions in your day-to-day experiences.

Five strategies to boost your wellbeing now

1. Be grateful

Some people feel better when they keep a gratitude journal.

2. Engage in acts of kindness.

Being kind can boost the wellbeing of both initiators and receivers of kindness.

3. Nurture your most important relationships

Positive relationships are important for our wellbeing. These should be nurtured and maintained.

4. Be more present.

In a distracted world, being present in the moment can be difficult. Being present is the opposite of multitasking. This takes intentional practice and you can develop it through meditation or mindfulness practices.

5. Do things that lead to a “flow” state.

Being in a flow state means that we are fully engaged in an activity. It is a mental state where a person feels fully involved and enjoys a process or activity that provides just the right balance of challenge and reward.

People often talk about this as “being in the zone”. Finding an engaging hobby or sport is a good way of increasing flow moments.

Ensuring that you and the people around you experience positive emotions regularly is not just about feeling good in the moment. It is also an important investment for the future, ensuring better mental health and wellbeing for yourself and others. What will you do?

Christian van Nieuwerburgh, Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.