Monthly Friends Report: A woman hiking under a big blue sky on a grassy trail with a companion following behind her.

In this issue: Maintaining a healthy heart as you age requires exercise. The good news is, more is more! You don’t have to worry about precisely what type of activities you choose.

If this is the first time you're receiving this newsletter, welcome! Our objective is to update you on the latest discoveries happening at CU Anschutz thanks to the power of philanthropy.

Every month, I scan the CU Anschutz and UCHealth newsrooms for the stories our readers have told me they care about most.

There are a lot of uplifting discoveries in this month's issue!

New Year habits made easy: Tiny cues + routines beat willpower for lasting change
New aspirin guidance to help you stay heart‑smart
Colorado radon testing: Uranium‑rich soil elevates indoor levels – simple home tests protect families
New “K” flu variant: Cases rising – flu shots still work; it’s not too late
Ease low back pain: Simple mobility drills reduce stiffness and restore daily comfort
Vision support: Eye + geriatric teams simplify care to keep seniors independent
Alzheimer’s insight: Repurposed, approved drugs may slow early neuron loss
Visual snow: Research is mapping brain changes to guide symptom relief
HIIT before chemo: Short, intense intervals may shield heart and vessels during treatment

Also ...
🧠Recorded lecture link: Migraine, Movement and Mental Focus
🔬Research study: CBD for people with MCI and Alzheimer's risk
🍲A recipe for good luck in 2026: Curried Black-Eyed Peas

Yours in health and discovery,

Julia Patrick

CU Anschutz Advancement Team

P.S. If you want to make sure we continue to land in your inbox once a month, please subscribe and tell us what topics we should include in future issues.

HEALTH + WELLNESS ADVICE FROM OUR EXPERTS

Want to move more, eat and sleep better this year? The secret isn’t willpower. There’s a way to turn small changes into lasting habits, and it’s easier than you think.

Want to maintain a healthy heart? Be sure to exercise. Discover all the ways you can incorporate more physical activity into your daily life.

Experts now advise most adults over 60 to skip starting daily baby aspirin because bleeding risks often outweigh benefits, while those 40–59 at higher heart risk may still consider it, making a doctor’s guidance more important than ever.

Many homes in Colorado have high levels of indoor radon because of an abundance of uranium in rock and soil. For this reason, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recommends all Colorado residents test their homes for radon.

The new “K” flu variant is spreading in Colorado and across the U.S., raising concerns about a tough flu season. At the same time, fewer people are getting their flu shots. It’s not too late to get your shot.

Simple mobility exercises can make a big difference in easing low back pain and keeping you moving comfortably. These practical moves are designed to help you feel stronger, reduce stiffness and get back to enjoying everyday life without constant discomfort.

Have you experienced a medical problem like altitude sickness, a urinary tract infection or pink eye? You had a strong suspicion about what was wrong with you. You just needed quick confirmation from a medical pro and a prescription so you could start healing fast and carry on with life. That’s when a virtual urgent care visit is the perfect solution.

LATEST DISCOVERIES
+ BREAKTHROUGHS

As the average age of people in the U.S. continues to rise, Alzheimer’s and diabetes are growing health threats. Medical experts are exploring the links between these two common ailments and why people with diabetes have a higher risk of also getting Alzheimer’s.

Eye specialists and geriatric care experts are working together to make vision care simpler and more supportive for older adults. With practical tools and tips, they’re helping people stay independent and keep enjoying the things that matter most.

Researchers have found that starting a high‑intensity interval training routine before chemotherapy could help protect your heart and blood vessels from treatment-related damage. It’s a hopeful discovery that gives breast cancer survivors a proactive way to care for their cardiovascular health

Scientists have discovered that while brain neuron changes, including cell loss, may begin in early life, a drug long-approved for other conditions might be repurposed to slow this damage, offering new hope for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognition issues.

Researchers don’t yet know what causes visual snow syndrome (VSS). What makes it different from migraines? What changes in the brain trigger VSS, and what can help relieve symptoms that disrupt daily life? These are some of the key questions scientists are working to answer.

A head and neck cancer survivor is using his experience to build community and advocate for better care. Through support groups and collaboration with researchers, he’s helping improve resources and advance innovative treatments for future patients.

Philanthropic Spotlight

Who’s Making a Difference? Explore Inspiring Giving Stories

Bryan Breuer enjoying international travels with his family.

Visit our Stories of Change page to learn about the people and organizations shaping the future of health and medicine at CU Anschutz.

From groundbreaking research to student scholarships, these stories highlight the generosity that fuels innovation and transforms lives.

STORIES OF CHANGE

YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Let's Talk Lecture: Migraine, Movement and Mental Focus
The Ludeman Center's Let's Talk conversation recorded on November 11, 2025.

WATCH NOW

YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Free Virtual Lecture: Transforming Trauma
Explore the science behind how the brain responds to trauma and the pathways that lead to recovery and growth.

WATCH NOW

RESEARCH STUDY
CBD for Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment and at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Seeking individuals aged 55-85 for a total study duration of 24 weeks.

LEARN MORE

A serving of curried black eyed peas in a golden bowl placed on a wooden serving mat.

Recipe: Curried Black-Eyed Peas

Plant-based power in every bite.
Black-eyed peas aren’t just tasty – they’re a New Year’s tradition for good luck and prosperity. But don't let their name fool you. They’re actually beans packed with benefits. Just half a cup delivers 6g of protein, 3g of fiber and 10% of your daily iron.

GET THE RECIPE

Brain Teaser

I open to close but I close to open. I'm surrounded by water but I'm never soaking. What am I?

Riddles test logic, lateral thinking as well as memory, engaging the brain to see patterns and connections between different things and circumstances.
See the answer >>

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University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Office of Advancement | 303-724-8922

[email protected]
giving.cu.edu/anschutz

HEALTH + WELLNESS ADVICE FROM OUR EXPERTS

LATEST DISCOVERIES + BREAKTHROUGHS

LATEST DISCOVERIES
+ BREAKTHROUGHS