A report published in the Annals of Neurology health journal noted that eating berries may actually help improve sustained brain function, which could lower the chances of cognitive illness, according to Healthland.

While it is not known if eating such fruits will prevent cognitive illness for sure, the study noted that women who made sure to eat berries weekly slowed cognitive recession by between 1.5 and 2.5 years. Specifically, this included about one-half cup of blueberries a week, while strawberries was one full cup. The study found that besides cognitive health, it was important to eat such fruits, anyway.

"I don't think there are many downsides to that," said Elizabeth Devore, a medicine instructor at Brigham and Women's Hospital, according to the news source. "The availability of berries and access to this kind of intervention is great as a public health message."

Americans who already practice healthy eating may want to look for other ways to keep improving their health. By having a solid healthcare policy, this may be made easier. One of the top ways to ensure that a person has a strong plan is to compare their current policy with other health insurance quotes.

With a significant portion of employees not getting more than six hours of sleep per night, they could be setting themselves up for major health issues, according to a report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

More than 40 percent of those who work night shifts do not sleep enough, and 29 percent of day shift workers said the same, the report said, according to HealthDay. Of those who work in transportation and warehouses during the nighttime don't sleep well. Those who don't sleep well put themselves at a higher risk of stroke, heart attack and depression.

"Despite these consequences, many people still don't find the time for adequate sleep, with many having trouble with insomnia and not seeking proper help," said Shelby Freedman Harris, director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at Montefiore Medical Center, according to the news source.

Those who have trouble sleeping may want to consult a physician for solutions to the problem. If the person lacks a sufficient healthcare policy, it may help to look for one with affordable health insurance rates online.

While many Americans feel that the Medicare program may need to be reformed, a large portion of these people don't want to foot the bill, according to Harris Interactive and HealthDay.

More than 80 percent of consumers think that Medicare needs reforms in order for it to continue to be reasonable. Furthermore, 51 percent think that drastic changes are needed to the program. However, 53 percent don't want higher taxes and 60 percent are against direct contributions to lower costs.

"There's a clear majority who think there is a problem that needs to be addressed, but [people also believe] if the changes are going to cost me money in terms of higher co-pays, higher deductibles or higher taxes, no thank you," said Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll.

If a consumer feels they are financially-strapped due to excess Medicare payments or high taxes, it may benefit them to look for a private healthcare plan. There may be several affordable health insurance rates available, and all a person needs to do is compare health insurance quotes.

With close to one-third of American children dealing with weight problems, many parents are not prioritizing this issue, according to the YMCA of the USA.

The organization's Family Health Snapshot found that 21 percent of parents note their child's physical health as a top priority, which was low, but on par with the 20 percent who prioritized education. In addition, 40 percent of parents said they could encourage their children to take part in more physical activity.

"Summer weight gain and summer learning loss often go unnoticed, but they impact many of today's youth," said Dr. Matt Longjohn, senior director of chronic disease prevention for Y-USA. "Some studies have shown that children's BMI increases nearly twice as fast during the summer than during the school year."

Parents who are concerned about their children's weight issues may want to consult their family physician. If the person does not have a health insurance policy, it may benefit them to compare health insurance quotes online to find a plan that is right for everyone.

The Employee Benefits Research Institute recently noted in a report that a sizable portion of Americans have lost healthcare policies due to their companies no longer willing to pay some of the costs.

Approximately 72 percent of employers offered their workers some type of health insurance plan in 2002, according to the report. However, this declined to 67.5 percent in 2010.

"The majority of uninsured workers report that they are not covered by health benefits because their employers did not offer coverage," said Paul Fronstin, senior research associate with EBRI. "In 2010, 58.2 percent of uninsured workers reported that they worked for employers that did not offer health benefits to any employees This is up from 53.1 percent in 1997."

Consumers who have been shut out of the option to have some type of affordable plan from their employer may want to look for alternatives. By checking online to discover health insurance quotes within their budget, it may be possible for consumers to find quality coverage.