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Take Control of Your Health with Online Courses from Harvard Medical School Experts Act now to experience Harvard-led learning

Dear Reader, When it comes to your health, why not learn from the same experts who train the nation's top doctors? With Harvard Health Online Learning All-Access, you'll get direct guidance from Harvard Medical School physicians—trusted, evidence-based insights you can use to live longer and healthier—all at your own pace, in your own home. Whether you want to manage joint pain, improve heart health, boost your brainpower, or simply stay well, you deserve information that's clear, credible, and easy to apply in your daily life. These courses are developed by Harvard Medical School doctors specifically for people who aren't in the medical field, but want to understand and manage their health with confidence. A rare opportunity from the top minds in medicine! What you'll get: Unlimited access to dozens of doctor-developed online courses Short videos, interactive tools, and practical tips from Harvard experts  and doctors—all in plain English Expert guidance that helps you ask smarter questions and make more informed choices about your health Certificates of Completion from Harvard Health Publishing Multiple-choice quizzes to help you retain what you have learned Charts, worksheets, lists of websites, programs, organizations and more to help you stay on track Plus...New content is added every week at no extra cost! Discover our extensive catalog — only $6.99 monthly! Full-length courses normally cost $29.95. But once you subscribe to Harvard's Online Learning All-Access, you can engage with 150+ (and growing) pieces of content for less than your monthly Netflix subscription. Return to any lesson, anytime, to refresh your skills, revisit strategies, or download your tip sheet again! It's like having the advice of Harvard Medical School at your fingertips to expand your knowledge and answer your questions! Single Course Purchase: All-Access Subscription: Single Course Access Unlimited Access to Full Courses  Mini-Courses Quizzes At-a-Glance Charts and Features Video Briefs Microlearning Features Helping you stay healthy and fit at any age! Here is just a sampling of the topics you'll find in our extensive catalog of courses on Harvard's All-Access: Anxiety and Stress Disorders: Discover the keys to managing panic attacks, phobias, and other related conditions Fighting Inflammation: How to effectively combat "bad" inflammation with diet and lifestyle changes Improving Memory: Learn dozens of proven strategies to combat memory loss and boost cognitive fitness as you age Managing Your Cholesterol: Learn how to successfully lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides, and achieve strong, enduring heart health Joint Pain Relief Workout: Relieve ankle, knee, hip, or shoulder pain, and become more active again  And dozens more timely and important courses! Remember, new quizzes, video briefs, and mini-courses are added every week. So, there’s always something new to learn to help you stay healthy and vital well into your later years. Courses range from less than 30 minutes to 3 hours long and can be taken at your own pace. Learn more, worry less! When you learn from Harvard doctors, you're learning from the best. Doctors everywhere look to Harvard Medical School for guidance on the latest advances in medicine.  With Harvard Health Online Learning All-Access,  you won't waste time on questionable information. You'll get actionable, clinically validated advice you can trust to help you live longer and healthier no matter your age. See how good it feels to hone your knowledge and enrich your life with hands-on help from Harvard Medical School doctors. Join Harvard Health Online Learning All-Access today! You have total flexibility with your unlimited All-Access account to Harvard Health Online Learning. Take as many (or as few) courses each month. There are no minimums, no commitment, no contract... and no hassle. You can easily cancel your account at any time with no cancellation fees. So why not start a subscription today? And see if it’s right for you. If you’re aiming for a healthy lifespan, then Harvard Health All-Access can help you get there with vitality and gusto.

SUBSCRIBE | SHOP THE BOOKSTORE SAVE 50% OFF THE FULL EXPERIENCE As a HEALTHbeat reader, you are just scratching the surface. Now explore 360 degrees of PERSONALIZED health information. Reach your goals faster and effortlessly — with next-level, tailored access to insights from the experts at Harvard Medical School. JOIN US RISK FREE — CANCEL ANYTIME » Dear Reader, You signed up for HEALTHbeat because you are focused on your well-being. Now there's an even better way to take total control of your health. Presenting HarvardHealthOnline+ (HHO+). What if your mental and physical health could be improved by actionable, authoritative information? All delivered in easy-to-understand terms? What if you had health guidance and resources informed by the research and expertise of Harvard Medical School faculty at your fingertips — with 24/7 access? And, what if everything was custom fit to match your life and unique needs? That's exactly why we reimagined HarvardHealthOnline+. This all-in-one digital subscription delivers personalized answers. Everything is clear, accurate, and designed to give you deeper, easier access to our most trusted resources. Upgrade to a Basic Package at 50% OFF the regular price. TRY US NOW AT OUR LOWEST RATE EVER » SEE WHAT YOU'VE BEEN MISSING. Your HEALTHbeat Access: Upgraded HHO+ Access: Limited access to articles Unlimited access to articles  All four HHP newsletters sent to your inbox each month Subscriber-only features Customized HHO+ homepage displaying your top interests Save & share tools to track what matters most to you NEW! Bonus guides on sleep, stress, cognitive fitness, etc. Full access to our A to Z comprehensive library Expert-reviewed content you won't find anywhere else Videos, quizzes, health tips, featured reports and more! For a limited time, lock in a Basic Package at 50% OFF the regular price. And NOW additional packages are available which include even more access to Harvard Health Publishing's most trusted resources. You choose which package fits your health goals. No risk. No obligation. Cancel anytime. Whichever you try, enjoy instant access to NEW Bonus Guides on sleep, stress, fitness, senior living, and cognitive fitness. Don’t miss out. CHOOSE YOUR HEALTH PLAN — FREE OF RISK » NO RISK. NO OBLIGATION. CANCEL ANYTIME. Upgrade to HarvardHealthOnline+ now and access all four of our newsletters. Join the hundreds of thousands other readers who rely on research, news, and the latest health updates found exclusively in each must-read issue. Plus any time, day or night, you'll be able to research whichever health condition or disease has you concerned... Discover what your symptoms mean... And enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing what to do next. GET THIS AND MORE — FOR $4.99 A MONTH » YOUR NEW GO-TO HEALTH HUB. HarvardHealthOnline+ features an easy-to-search repository of thousands of well-researched health articles, interesting videos, informative quizzes, helpful tips, and other tools. Upgrade to unlock subscriber-only answers to all your many health questions. Best of all, you can easily save articles to your personal library for future use. Or even share your informed findings with family and friends. All with a click! UNLOCK A NEW LEVEL OF HEALTH EXPERTISE » NO RISK. NO OBLIGATION. CANCEL ANYTIME. In addition to taking comfort in the fact that we have the highest standards for sharing health information with you, please know that your subscription helps support Harvard Medical School's mission to educate the next generation of physicians. Upgrading also aids in championing research and scholarships aimed at eradicating disease and improving health worldwide. Speaking of reassurance, you can upgrade your access to HarvardHealthOnline+ today and rest easy knowing: 1) You've locked in a Basic Package at our best deal — 50% savings off the regular rate. 2) There is no obligation to continue. If you don't see the benefit, cancel anytime and receive a full refund on all unserved access. No questions asked. Simply choose which package fits your health goals. It's personal health information from a source you can trust — delivered without any of the guesswork and zero headaches. UPGRADE YOUR ACCESS — AND SAVE 50% OFF » Prostate cancer screening keeps getting better For many years, men have received mixed messages about the value of prostate cancer screening. The primary screening tool has been a blood test that measures prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a chemical naturally produced by the prostate gland. But with advances beyond PSA blood testing, men and their doctors now have additional — and better — information to guide diagnosis and potential treatment. Get your copy of Prostate Disease Most men eventually develop some type of prostate problem, and when they do there are usually no easy solutions. More than a primer on prostate conditions, this Special Health Report, the 2026–2027 Harvard Medical School Guide to Prostate Diseases, includes roundtable discussions with experts at the forefront of prostate research, interviews with men about their treatment decisions, and the latest thinking on complementary therapies. This report will provide you with the information you need to understand the current controversies, avoid common pitfalls, and work with your doctor to make informed choices about your prostate health.   SHOW ME MORE → The role of PSA A PSA level of less than 4 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) means a man is unlikely to have cancer (although it’s still possible it can exist). A PSA of 10 ng/mL or higher is more worrisome, and a very high PSA almost always indicates prostate cancer. But many men fall into the range of 4 to 9.9 ng/mL, where the elevated PSA levels are often due to common conditions such as an enlarged prostate (benign prostate hypertrophy, or BPH) or prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). And even if a midlevel PSA is due to prostate cancer, the disease is most likely to be low-grade (slow growing and at low risk of spread) and is unlikely to affect a man’s quality of life or longevity. More worrisome than a single, slightly elevated PSA reading is a fast-rising PSA that might indicate a higher-grade cancer that needs prompt attention. For example, a man might have a PSA of 3 ng/mL (generally considered safe) and have it repeated in six to 12 months. If there’s little or no change on the repeat test, regular periodic monitoring will likely be recommended. But a rise to 3.8 ng/mL or higher warrants more thought and possibly additional testing. The evolving story of screening Prostate cancer screening has undergone significant transformation in the past decade. It is now a multistep process. “Gone are the days of getting a PSA reading that is above normal and getting whisked off for a biopsy,” says Dr. Marc B. Garnick, an oncologist and editor in chief of the Special Health Report Harvard Medical School Guide to Prostate Diseases. Advances in how PSA testing is used, the addition of technology, and new screening methods have made diagnosing prostate cancer more precise than ever. “We are now much better at finding low-grade cancer that can be monitored and more aggressive cancer that needs treatment,” says Dr. Garnick. Advances in prostate cancer screening A number of scientific advances have helped revolutionize prostate cancer screening. Perhaps the biggest is the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A confirmed abnormal PSA test now is often followed by an MRI scan, which can identify areas of the prostate gland that look suspicious for cancer. Men with abnormal PSA and a negative MRI scan can avoid a biopsy and continue monitoring their PSA with follow-up tests. If the MRI results are positive, a biopsy is usually needed. But here MRI can also play a vital role by helping doctors perform a targeted biopsy that focuses on areas where the scan showed evidence of cancer. Another advancement to determine if a biopsy is needed is the use of special urine tests in conjunction with MRI. The urine tests look for biological markers of cancer. These advances don’t necessarily simplify the hunt for prostate cancer. But they do give men and their doctors a more accurate and appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach than ever. For more information on preventing and treating prostate problems, check out the Guide to Prostate Diseases, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. Image: © atakan/Getty Images Share this story: FEATURED CONTENT Prostate Disease • What is prostatitis? • Diagnosing prostatitis • Treating prostatitis Click here to learn more » Week in Review Your weekly check-in for better living HEALTH FACT OF THE WEEK Did you know—Around 70% of the immune system is located in and around the gut. THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHT Advancements in knee replacement: More precise and personalized Total knee replacement is a highly successful surgery that relieves pain and restores physical function for about a million Americans with severe knee osteoarthritis every year. During a knee replacement, the surgeon removes worn-out cartilage (the slippery substance that covers the ends of bones in joints) and some bone, then caps the two adjacent bone surfaces with an implant made of metal and plastic. The implant recreates the knee joint, allowing for pain-free movement in more than 90% of cases. Room for improvement But there's always room for improvement. "We're starting at a high baseline in terms of success, but there are still people who undergo knee replacement who don't have as great an outcome as we'd like," says Dr. Jeffrey K. Lange, an orthopedic surgeon at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. "We keep developing new technologies to improve results for everyone. READ MORE → Get your copy of Knees and Hips Do your knees or hips hurt? Most people will at some point have knee or hip pain because these large joints have a demanding task: they must bear the full weight of your body while at the same time allowing for a wide range of motion. Wear and tear, injury, and simple genetic predisposition can all contribute to knee or hip pain. This Special Health Report Knees and Hips: A troubleshooting guide to knee and hip pain, covers a wide range of knee and hip conditions and describes in detail treatments, preventive strategies, and surgeries. READ MORE → EXPLORE MORE CONTENT Special Feature: Sleep Discover why sleep is vital for your memory, health, and longevity. Our free guide, exclusive to HHO+ subscribers, explores what happens in your body and brain during sleep, and how your needs change throughout life. DOWNLOAD NOW → Is food sequencing worth a try? What if eating your salad first and saving the pasta for last could help you keep your blood sugar steadier and leave you feeling fuller? That's the idea behind food sequencing, a strategy gaining attention from health experts and social media influencers alike. READ MORE → Get your copy of The Diet Review You have tremendous latitude in what goes into your daily diet—and the choices you make can have profound consequences for your health. But what diet should you choose? The range is truly dizzying. Just some of the diets you might encounter are vegan, pegan, and portfolio. Raw food, whole foods, and Whole 30. Keto, carnivore, and paleo. Clean eating and intermittent fasting. DASH, MIND, and Volumetrics. Mediterranean, Nordic, and Okinawan. What does it all mean? And how can you begin to make sense of it? This Special Health Report is here to help. READ MORE → Resistance training works - and it may be easier than you think Regularly doing both aerobic and strengthening exercises is one of the best ways to stay healthy. With so many options for building strength, you might wonder which to choose. A research overview used to create new guidelines for resistance training (which builds strength) determined that what matters most is to work out regularly.  READ MORE → MUST READ Starting to Exercise What can exercise do for you? Should you talk to a doctor first? Getting started: What type of exercise should you do? The workouts  Designing your own program   Click here to learn more » Functional fitness to decrease the effects of age-related changes As we age, our bodies go through changes that can affect strength, flexibility, and overall mobility, often starting earlier than expected. From muscle loss and reduced strength to declining balance and flexibility, these shifts can make everyday tasks more challenging. While it's natural to experience these changes, they don't have to define your later years. Understanding the impact of aging on your body and incorporating functional training into your routine can help you stay strong, active, and independent. Here are some age-related changes to be aware of. Get your copy of Discovering Functional Fitness Discovering Functional Fitness, a report from Harvard Medical School, guides you to enhance your performance in daily activities, making you stronger, more flexible, and more resilient. Whether you're lifting groceries, climbing stairs, or just keeping up with an active lifestyle, Functional Fitness prepares you for every challenge.   SHOW ME MORE → Muscles shrink. Muscle loss begins in your mid-30s, at a rate of 1% to 2% a year. While that may not sound like much, these little changes make a differ­ence over the years, contributing to achy joints, inju­ries, and weight gain - all of which can make daily activities more challenging. As you get into your 60s and 70s, muscle loss can accelerate to as much as 3% a year. Strength wanes. One result of muscle loss is a decrease in strength, making activities like walking, getting out of a chair, and climbing stairs more diffi­cult. Beginning in your mid-30s, you lose about 1.5% of your strength a year, and that rate accelerates as you get older. Some older adults lose as much as a third of their strength over a 10-year period. Power declines. As muscles shrink, you lose not only strength but also power, your body's ability to exert force or strength quickly. Power plummets at more than twice the rate of strength - 3.5% a year for power compared to 1.5% for strength. Reductions in power make it harder to get across a street before the light changes, hoist a heavy bag of groceries, or catch yourself when you stumble. Aerobic capacity decreases. A 25-year-old heart can pump 2.5 quarts of blood a minute, but after age 30, heart and lung function begin to decline at a rate of about 10% per decade. A 65-year-old heart pumps about 1.5 quarts of blood a minute. The capacity drops to about 1 quart for 80-year-olds. These changes affect your endurance. Joints stiffen. A decrease in flexibility and range of motion makes tasks like reaching overhead and stooping down problematic. Nearly 20% of older adults have difficulty reaching something on a high shelf, while 51% are challenged when they drop some­thing and have to bend down to pick it up. Flexibility in the hip and shoulder joints declines about 6° per decade from age 55 to 85. Balance wobbles. According to a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54% of people in their early to mid-70s weren't able to balance on one leg for 10 seconds without holding on to something. As you become less steady on your feet, tasks like going downstairs, navigating around obstacles, and traversing uneven surfaces become more difficult, and you're more likely to fall. Body fat increases. Even if the number on the scale isn't budging, you're probably gaining more fat as your muscles shrink. But if you're like most people, you're probably seeing an increase in your weight, too. That extra fat and weight can make it harder to get around and can tire you out faster. Extra layers of fat can also affect your ability to do things like bending over to tie your shoes. Functional fitness is a powerful tool for maintaining strength, mobility, and independence as you age. By staying active and following safety guidelines, you can slow down some of these age-related changes and continue to enjoy a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle well into your later years. For more information on staying active as you age, make everyday tasks easier, and even improve your game, check out Discovering Functional Fitness, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. Image: © kate_sept2004/Getty Images Share this story: FEATURED CONTENT Discovering Functional Fitness •  Why take the plunge?   • Safety first  • Getting started  • The workouts   • Warm-up    • No-Swim Lap Workout   • Cardio Workout   Click here to learn more » Harvard Medical School offers special reports on over 60 health topics. Visit our website at http://www.health.harvard.edu to find reports of interest to you and your family. FOLLOW US ON:  Facebook Twitter Copyright © 2026 by Harvard University. Harvard Health Publishing, Gordon Hall, Suite 013, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA