New digital greeting card collaboration launches to encourage friends and family to prioritize their health

CLEVELAND /PRNewswire/ — American Greetings and the American Cancer Society are collaborating on a collection of customizable digital greeting cards designed to encourage loved ones to seek out life-saving cancer screenings. The all-new Creatacard™ greetings feature a range of heartfelt messages in both English and Spanish and aim to promote the importance of early detection. Senders can add personal touches by customizing the designs with photos or video, a personalized message, digital envelope liner and stamp, and more.

“Having conversations with your loved ones about serious topics like cancer can be difficult, but discussions like this can save lives,” said Rob Matousek, Executive Director, Direct to Consumer Business at American Greetings. “We are proud to work with the American Cancer Society on this collection of digital greeting cards that give people a new, easy, and thoughtful way to encourage family and friends to seek cancer screenings. Together, we can make a difference.”

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US, and over 2 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2024. Regular screening can find cancer before symptoms appear and keep a person informed about the state of their health. To learn more about screening recommendations and resources, visit cancer.org/getscreened.

“Early detection is a key factor in changing cancer outcomes,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society. “The American Cancer Society is working with multiple organizations to deliver that message and remove barriers to cancer screening. We appreciate American Greetings using its platform to help spread this message and we encourage everyone to use these cards to save lives.”

The new cards with the American Cancer Society add to American Greetings portfolio of digital greetings related to health and wellness topics, which include the recently released Creatacards™ with singer and songwriter Jelly Roll that focus on mental health, as well as offerings released with the Cleveland Clinic around the topics of heart health, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer research. 

Creatacard™ greetings are available on www.americangreetings.com, www.bluemountain.com, and on the Creatacard™ offerings, American Greetings and Blue Mountain ecard apps for iPhone and Android. They can be shared via email, text, or on social media. Users can sign up for a monthly, yearly, or two-year American Greetings account to have the ability to send an unlimited number of Creatacard™ greetings —as well as all American Greetings digital offerings—over the course of their membership period. Membership costs range from $6.99-$39.99, depending on the length of membership. For the latest news from Creatacard™ offerings, follow @americangreetingsdigital on Instagram and @americangreetingsdigital on Facebook.

ABOUT AMERICAN GREETINGS:
American Greetings is a global leader in the large and enduring Celebrations marketplace. The company helps people celebrate holidays, each other, and all of life’s special moments, in-person and online, guided by a mission to “make the world a more thoughtful and caring place every single day.” American Greetings offers products wherever and however people wish to purchase them – online, in-store, or curbside pickup. Celebrations happen throughout the year, driven by traditional holidays, key milestone moments such as weddings, baby showers and graduations, as well as recurring everyday events such as birthdays and anniversaries. The company’s brands include American Greetings, Papyrus, Carlton Cards, and Recycled Paper Greetings. Its digital business unit, AG Interactive, is a leading provider of digital greetings and premium Celebrations content through proprietary technology platforms and apps. Its popular digital brands include American Greetings, Blue Mountain, Jacquie Lawson, SmashUps™, and Creatacard™. For more information, visit corporate.americangreetings.com and follow us @AmericanGreetings on Facebook and @amgreetings on Instagram.

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SOURCE American Greetings

Jay Maddock, Texas A&M University

Taking a walk on a wooded path, spending an afternoon in a public park, harvesting your backyard garden and even looking at beautiful pictures of Hawaii can all make us feel good. Certainly, for many of us, it’s beneficial to have time outside in natural environments. Being cooped up inside can feel unnatural and increase our desire to get outside. The renowned biologist E.O. Wilson created a theory called the biophilia hypothesis, where he stated that people have an innate relationship to nature.

On an intuitive level, this makes sense. Humans evolved in an open, natural environment and removing us from this environment could have a negative effect on our health. But what does the research say? Is there actually evidence that being in natural environments can promote our well-being, prevent disease and speed recovery?

Nature and healing

The pioneering work in this area started in the 1980s with Robert Ulrich, who was a professor at Texas A&M University. His work looked at surgery patients who had a view of trees out of their window compared to those who had the view of a wall. Those with the natural view reported less pain and spent less time in the hospital.

Since then, several studies have shown a reduction in pain both through viewing natural scenes as well looking at nature videos and pictures.

Other studies have looked at the effect of exposure to daylight on patients and found they experienced less pain, stress and use of pain medications than patients who did not have exposure to natural light. There is also preliminary evidence that hospital gardens can alleviate stress in both patients and their families.

In the area of designing health care facilities, there appears to be consistent evidence that exposures to natural environments have a positive effect on pain, stress, anxiety, blood pressure and heart rate. In the Center for Health and Nature, a joint venture between my university Texas A&M, Houston Methodist Hospital and nonprofit Texan by Nature, our new studies are assessing if these effects extend to the virtual world, including immersive VR and virtual windows.

A preventive effect?

While nature appears to be helpful in restoring health after illness, can it actually help us keep healthy? Researchers across the world have been asking this question.

From forest bathing (“shinrin-yoku”) in Japan to the 30 Days Wild campaign in the United Kingdom, which encourages people to connect to wild places, people have been examining the healing powers of nature.

While walking is well established as a health promoting behavior, studies are now examining if walking in natural environments is more beneficial than indoors or in urban environments. Results have shown positive effects for mental health, improved attention, mood, blood pressure and heart rate. Several programs across the country have been formed to expose military veterans to natural spaces to combat symptoms of PTSD. In children, playgrounds with greenspace increased vigorous physical activity and decreased sedentary time and even has led to fewer fights.

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While there is growing evidence that exposure to natural environments is beneficial to health there are still many questions to be answered. What is nature? While this may seem simple at first glance, there are many differences between a national park, an urban pocket park and a picture of waves crashing on the beach. What is the dose of nature needed?

In physical activity, there is scientific consensus that people need 150 minutes a week for good health. How much and how often is exposure to nature needed for better health? How do longer doses – such as a weekend camping in a forest – and shorter doses – such as a walk through a park – affect us? What sensory part of nature is affecting us? Is it sight, sound, smell, touch or a combination of them?

A recent paper proposed enhanced immune function as the central pathway for the variety of positive health outcomes received from nature exposure. This needs to be tested.

Despite the need for more research, the need for more nature exposure is urgent. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans, on average, spend 90% of their time indoors. A study in the U.K. found that children spend only half the time outdoors than their parents used to.

There are signs that a nature movement is beginning to take hold. The 30 Days Wild program run by the Wildlife Trusts in the U.K. encouraged people to engage with nature every day for a month. In its first year, more than 18,000 people signed up. It starts again June 1, 2019.

Doctors in Scotland are now able give Nature Prescriptions to their patients. The educational leaflet they provide describes numerous monthly activities including touching the ocean, taking a dog for a walk and following a bumblebee. In the U.S., the Park Rx America program has been working to connect publicly available outdoor space to physicians to have them prescribe nature.

As spring arrives, it is time to make a commitment to spend more time in nature. Better health could literally be as easy as a walk in the park.

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Jay Maddock, Professor of Public Health, Texas A&M University

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

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

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On January 15, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made headlines with a groundbreaking proposal that could revolutionize the landscape of tobacco products. The agency announced a plan to limit the nicotine content in cigarettes and certain combusted tobacco products to levels that will make them minimally or nonaddictive. This significant step is geared towards preventing future generations from falling victim to the perils of tobacco addiction and smoking-related diseases.

A Step Long in the Making

The journey to this proposal began in 2018 when the FDA first expressed intentions to regulate nicotine levels in tobacco products. Now, as we stand on the brink of potentially transformative change, it’s clear that the FDA’s vision is not only ambitious but also rooted in a wealth of scientific evidence. The proposed nicotine cap, set at a mere 0.7 milligrams per gram of tobacco, is poised to dismantle the addictive potential of cigarettes, thus reducing the likelihood of new smokers picking up the habit.

Saving Lives and Reducing Costs

The impact of this regulation could be enormous. According to the FDA’s research, by the year 2100, this new nicotine standard has the potential to prevent around 48 million young people from starting to smoke. Additionally, it could encourage over 12.9 million current smokers to quit within the first year of the regulation’s enactment—numbers that elevate to an astonishing 19.5 million after five years. Ultimately, the FDA estimates that over the coming decades, we could see 1.8 million lives saved, climbing even higher to 4.3 million by the end of the century.

The financial implications are just as compelling. With an estimated annual benefit of over $1.1 trillion—not to mention the reduction in healthcare costs, lost productivity, and the avoidance of tobacco-related diseases—the proposal is not only a public health victory but also an economic one.

A Public Health Perspective

Cigarettes remain the deadliest consumer product in history, accounting for nearly half a million preventable deaths each year in the U.S. alone. The FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D., expressed a clear commitment to making significant progress in combating this public health crisis. “Today’s proposal envisions a future where it would be less likely for young people to use cigarettes and more individuals who currently smoke could quit or switch to less harmful products,” he stated.

The focus on addiction prevention and smoking cessation aligns with a broader goal: to create a healthier society where smoking-related diseases are no longer a pervasive threat. The proposed rule does not impose a ban on tobacco products but instead aims to create a safer environment by altering the products themselves. This is a crucial distinction as it allows for a path that encourages adult smokers to transition to less harmful alternatives without criminalizing their existing choices.

Why Public Engagement Matters

With the proposal open for public comment from January 16 to September 15, 2025, the FDA is keen on gathering input from diverse stakeholders, ensuring that a myriad of perspectives is considered. This effort to foster public dialogue is essential as it demonstrates a collaborative approach to policymaking, inviting the voices of health advocates, smokers wishing to quit, and the general public into the conversation.

The FDA is also reaching out to its Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee to explore further implications of this proposal, underlining the importance of scientific scrutiny in shaping effective tobacco regulations.

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Looking Ahead

As we await the final decision on this transformative proposal, the message is clear: reducing nicotine levels in combusted tobacco products could redefine smoking norms in America. The FDA’s intent to prioritize public health and encourage cessation underscores a commitment to safeguarding future generations.

While no tobacco product is completely safe and the best choice for individual health is to avoid all forms of tobacco, the proposed regulations represent a critical stride towards mitigating the risks associated with smoking. With collective efforts and robust community engagement, a healthier future is not only possible, but within reach.

Join the Conversation

Are you interested in contributing to this historic movement? The FDA encourages public input, and your voice matters! Take part in this important conversation in shaping the future of tobacco regulation. Together, we can help create a society where smoking-related deaths are significantly reduced, and a healthier lifestyle becomes the norm.

Stay engaged, stay informed, and let’s pave the way for a smoke-free future!

Related links:

https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/committees-and-meeting-materials/tobacco-products-scientific-advisory-committee

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Additional Resources:

• Tobacco Product Standards
• Nicotine Is Why Tobacco Products Are Addictive
• What Is Nicotine?
• The Relative Risks of Tobacco Products

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.