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Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
13 Boomer Habits That Are Honestly Kinda Iconic
The generation often referred to as "boomers" has a unique set of habits that might seem quirky or outdated to younger folks, but many of these habits have a charm all their own. They come from a time when life was analog, patience was a virtue, and face-to-face conversations were the norm. Let's dive into some iconic boomer habits that, let's face it, might just be worth adopting. 1. Handwritten Notes In today's digital age, the art of writing a handwritten note is slowly disappearing. Yet, boomers have perfected the practice of jotting down thank-you notes or leaving little reminders on the fridge. There's something incredibly personal about receiving a piece of paper filled with someone's unique handwriting. According to a study by the University of Chicago, handwritten notes can significantly enhance emotional connection over digital messages. So, while it might seem old school, maybe it's time to bring back the handwritten note. Boomers understand the emotional impact that comes with a handwritten note. This habit is about more than just words on paper; it's a meaningful gesture showing you went the extra mile. When you take the time to write something out by hand, it conveys sincerity and thoughtfulness. Perhaps this habit is why boomers often seem to have such well-maintained relationships. It's a simple yet powerful way to keep connections alive and thriving. 2. Phone Calls Over Texts While many younger generations prefer texting, boomers often opt for a good old-fashioned phone call. This isn't just about communication but about the tone, nuances, and emotional depth that a voice can convey. A phone call lets you hear laughter, detect sarcasm, and understand the emotion behind the words. It creates a more personal touch that texts, with their emojis and abbreviations, might lack. So next time you think about sending a text, consider how much more meaningful a quick call might be. There's a level of immediacy and intimacy in phone calls that texts simply can't replicate. Boomers grew up in a time when picking up the phone was the only way to communicate over long distances. This habit has stuck with them for good reason—it's effective. You can resolve misunderstandings faster and have more engaging conversations when you hear each other's voices. Plus, who doesn't love hearing a loved one's voice instead of a beep from a notification? 3. Collecting Physical Photos Boomers have a knack for keeping physical photos, often neatly arranged in albums or frames. Unlike digital photos that can be lost in the endless scroll, physical photos offer a tangible way to reminisce. Dr. Rebecca Smith from the Memory Institute emphasizes that handling physical photos can help reinforce memory retention better than digital images. There's a certain nostalgia that comes with flipping through an album and reliving memories. This habit makes you appreciate moments captured in time, something that's often lost in digital storage. Physical photos have a way of bringing stories to life, and boomers know this well. Looking at a photo of a past event can make the experience feel present again. It serves as a reminder of where you've been and the people who've been part of your journey. This tactile experience is something digital images can't replicate. So, while it might seem outdated, there's value in printing out those digital photos and adding them to a physical album. 4. Keeping A Landline Ah, the landline—a staple in boomer households. While most of us have moved on to mobile phones, many boomers still maintain their trusty landlines. It's not just about resisting change; it's about reliability. Landlines don't drop calls, don't run out of battery, and in emergencies, they're often more reliable than cell phones. Plus, there's a certain comfort in that familiar ring. A landline offers a sense of stability that mobile phones, with their constant updates and potential glitches, sometimes lack. For boomers, it's about having a reliable backup in case their cell phones fail. There's also an element of nostalgia associated with the landline, harking back to a time when life was less connected but perhaps more personal. It's a habit that speaks to a longing for simpler times. And let's not forget, it's a great way to avoid those annoying spam calls that often target mobile numbers. 5. Using Cash For Transactions In an era dominated by digital wallets and contactless payments, many boomers still prefer using cash. There's something about the tactile nature of cash that makes transactions feel more real and immediate. A report from the Federal Reserve notes that many people over the age of 55 are more likely to use cash for everyday purchases compared to younger generations. Cash offers a tangible way to manage money, giving a clearer sense of budgeting. It's also universally accepted, so there's never a worry about whether your card will work. Boomers grew up in a time when cash was king, and old habits die hard. Using cash imposes a level of discipline that credit cards don't, forcing you to think twice before making impulsive purchases. It makes budgeting straightforward—when the wallet is empty, it's time to stop spending. It's a financial habit that many could learn from, especially in a world where consumer debt is a growing concern. Plus, it's a surefire way to avoid digital fraud, as cash can't be hacked. 6. Reading Physical Newspapers The rustle of a newspaper's pages is a sound that many boomers cherish. While digital news is instant and constantly updated, there's something special about holding a physical paper. Reading the newspaper is more than just staying informed; it's about the experience, the routine, and often, the coffee that accompanies it. For boomers, reading the paper is a daily ritual that starts the day off right. It's a habit that allows for quiet reflection in a busy world. Physical newspapers offer a different kind of engagement. You're more likely to stumble upon articles you wouldn't click on digitally, expanding your horizons. There's also the satisfaction of completing a crossword puzzle or scanning the classifieds. It's a tactile and immersive experience that digital screens can't replicate. Plus, it's a great break from screen time, giving your eyes a much-needed rest. 7. Sending Christmas Cards Boomers are big on sending physical Christmas cards during the holiday season, a tradition that seems to be fading. It's not just about spreading holiday cheer, but about maintaining connections with friends and family. According to etiquette expert Lizzie Post, sending cards shows that you've taken the time to think about someone. This small gesture goes a long way in keeping relationships strong and meaningful. Opening a card filled with handwritten holiday wishes feels more personal than a generic e-card. Christmas cards are often adorned with a family photo or a personal update, creating a connection that lasts beyond the holiday season. Boomers appreciate the effort that goes into mailing a card, from choosing the right design to writing a heartfelt message. It's a tradition that brings joy both to the sender and the receiver, creating a sense of warmth and nostalgia. Sending cards is a way to pause and reflect on the year, making it a meaningful habit. It's a tangible way to spread joy and maintain connections, something we could all use more of. 8. Playing Board Games Long before video games and mobile apps, board games were the entertainment of choice for many families. Boomers spent countless hours playing games like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Clue, and these games have a timeless appeal. Board games offer a way to gather around the table and interact, fostering communication and camaraderie. Unlike digital games, board games encourage face-to-face interaction, laughter, and sometimes a bit of friendly competition. It's a habit that brings people together, something that's increasingly rare in today's tech-driven world. Board games create lasting memories and often become a family tradition passed down through generations. They teach valuable skills like strategy, patience, and teamwork. Boomers understand the joy of spending an afternoon playing a game, perhaps with a cup of tea in hand. It's a way to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with those around you. Whether it's a rainy day pastime or a holiday tradition, board games offer entertainment and bonding in equal measure. 9. Loyalty To Specific Brands Boomers are known for their strong loyalty to certain brands, be it the toothpaste they've been using for decades or the specific brand of coffee they swear by. This loyalty often stems from a sense of trust built over years of consistent quality. When boomers find a brand that meets their needs, they stick with it, valuing reliability over the allure of something new. This habit is about more than just consumerism; it's about finding comfort in the familiar. Knowing exactly what to expect from a product offers peace of mind. Brand loyalty leads to a kind of simplicity in decision-making that many younger generations lack. Boomers don't spend time agonizing over which brand to choose; they go with what they know and love. This habit of sticking to trusted brands can also be seen as a form of self-expression. It says something about their values and priorities, perhaps emphasizing quality over quantity. It's a straightforward approach to consumerism that many could find refreshing in a world overflowing with options. 10. Gardening Gardening is a beloved pastime for many boomers, offering a sense of fulfillment and peace. It's a way to connect with nature, cultivate beauty, and enjoy the fruits of one's labor. For boomers, gardening is more than just a hobby; it's a form of therapy. It provides a sense of accomplishment, whether it's growing vegetables, flowers, or simply maintaining a lawn. Plus, it offers a break from the digital world, providing time for reflection and relaxation. Gardening teaches patience and responsibility, as plants require regular care and attention. Boomers take pride in nurturing something from seed to bloom or harvest. This habit offers a sense of community, too, as gardeners often share tips, seeds, and produce with neighbors. Whether it's a small herb garden on a windowsill or a sprawling backyard project, gardening brings joy and satisfaction. It's a habit that nourishes both the body and the soul. 11. Listening To The Radio Before streaming services and podcasts took over, the radio was the main source of music, news, and entertainment. Boomers grew up with the radio as a constant companion, whether it was a car ride soundtrack or a morning ritual. There's something uniquely comforting about tuning into a favorite station and hearing familiar voices and music. Radio offers a sense of community, connecting listeners through shared programming and local updates. It's a habit that brings nostalgia and continuity. Radio listening creates a shared experience, uniting people with similar tastes and interests. Boomers appreciate the spontaneity and unpredictability of radio, from discovering new music to catching a live event. It's a habit that encourages active listening, as you can't skip or replay tracks at will. Radio fosters a sense of connection to the world, with live updates and real-time interactions. It's a medium that continues to thrive, even as digital options expand. 12. Visiting Libraries For many boomers, libraries are more than just a place to borrow books; they're a sanctuary of knowledge and discovery. Libraries offer a quiet space to read, study, or simply escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Boomers appreciate the wealth of information available, from books and magazines to newspapers and archives. Visiting a library is a habit that fosters continuous learning and curiosity. It's a place where you can lose yourself in a world of words and ideas. Libraries offer a sense of community, too, hosting events, workshops, and clubs for people of all ages. Boomers value the opportunity to connect with others who share their interests and passions. This habit encourages lifelong learning and exploration, keeping minds active and engaged. In a world where everything is available online, libraries provide a tactile, immersive experience that can't be replicated digitally. Whether it's a weekly visit or a monthly ritual, libraries remain a cherished part of boomer life. 13. Cooking From Scratch Boomers often prefer cooking meals from scratch, valuing the process as much as the result. This habit stems from a time when convenience foods were less prevalent, and home-cooked meals were the norm. Cooking from scratch allows for creativity and control over ingredients, ensuring meals are fresh and tailored to personal taste. It's a habit that fosters a deeper connection to food and nutrition, prioritizing quality over convenience. Boomers take pride in their culinary skills and the joy of sharing homemade meals with loved ones. Cooking from scratch also offers a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. It's a chance to experiment, learn new techniques, and pass down family recipes. This habit encourages mindful eating, as the effort involved makes meals more meaningful. For boomers, it's about more than just feeding the body; it's about nourishing the soul. In a world where fast food and takeout dominate, cooking from scratch is a timeless tradition worth preserving. Solve the daily Crossword
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
University of Chicago considers restructuring arts and humanities division to cut costs
The University of Chicago is considering a substantial restructuring of the school's Division of the Arts and Humanities to cut costs, citing historic financial strain under the Trump administration. 'University leadership is looking across the entire institution for ways to significantly reduce costs and increase revenue, while continuing to fulfill our mission,' Nelson wrote in the email. The faculty-led committees were instructed to propose changes by the end of August. The Chicago Maroon, the university's student newspaper, first reported on the reorganization efforts Monday. A U. of C. spokesperson told The Tribune in a statement that similar 'focused planning' is taking place across the university. 'This spring and summer, academic leaders across every school and division have been working with faculty and other colleagues to make timely strategic plans for this academic year and years to come,' the spokesperson said. The move comes as the Trump administration exercises increased scrutiny against colleges and universities across the country, including taking steps to pull funding at elite institutions. Nelson pointed to cuts to federal research funding, shifting policies surrounding international students and graduate student loans, and general volatility in the American economy as sources of U. of C.'s underlying fiscal pressures. The proposed changes could be enacted for the 2026-27 academic year, she told faculty. 'The status quo is not an option,' Nelson wrote. 'To simply copy and paste means the inkpad will run dry, and the Division of the Arts & Humanities will very soon be a pale, indecipherable version of what we once aspired to be.' Nelson has been communicating with faculty since January about efforts to plan for the division's future, the university spokesperson said. More than 40 faculty members are participating in the committees. The committees target five different areas for restructuring and cuts: college teaching, divisional organization, languages, master's programs and PhD programs. Each group received a list of 'questions for exploration,' according to documents reviewed by The Tribune. Among those questions: 'Could we envision an organization with 8 departments?' and 'Are there languages we no longer need to teach?' Faculty members described an environment of confusion and frustration in the division, as speculation swirls about the impact of possible cuts. Tyler Williams, an associate professor in the Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations and a member of the languages committee, said much of the group feels unequipped to suggest changes in a limited time frame. Many are hesitant to propose any spending reductions. 'The process is too fast and too uninformed,' Williams said. 'We're being asked to think of suggestions that could affect dozens of jobs, which could affect the way all languages are taught at the University of Chicago.' Other committees have prioritized identifying changes that would minimize the impact on students. Daisy Delogu, a professor of French literature, was assigned to the PhD programs committee. Her focus has been on finding ways to streamline the PhD process to reduce administrative spending. 'We've been asking ourselves, 'Are these requirements evaluating or advancing students towards certain goals? Do we have milestones in place that are meaningful to students' learning? Or do they feel kind of like giant hoops?'' Delogu said. Some faculty members fear the reorganizing efforts could jeopardize the work of small, specialized departments and their professors. Andrew Ollett, an associate professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations, specializes in philology and Sanskrit. Because the discipline is so specialized, class sizes are often small — but the department is nationally ranked, Ollett said. 'We have a historic department that has had many luminaries associated with it in the past,' Ollett said. 'I'm really shocked to think that we could just cease to exist over the next year, without substantive discussion, without real faculty consultation, without a review of our program.' In recent years, U. of C. officials have outlined plans to reduce the university's climbing deficit, which topped $288 million last year. But a slew of federal changes under President Donald Trump have thrown the higher education landscape into uncertainty. The National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation have frozen or terminated millions of grants, with little communication to researchers and universities. U. of C. relied on $543 million in federal grant funding in 2024, which accounted for 18% of its revenue, according to bond issuance documents. The school has also faced inquiries from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security on admissions practices and international students. In her email, Dean Nelson highlighted the threat of an increased tax on the university's $10 billion endowment under Trump's 'big beautiful bill.' Federal legislators initially proposed a draft that would have cost the school more than $50 million in additional taxes — but the final version of the bill has no impact on U. of C. based on its student-adjusted endowment. 'The looming federal crisis seems to me to have been very substantially diminished or postponed,' said Clifford Ando, the Robert O. Anderson Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Classics. 'So why not put the brakes on and run this process deliberately and carefully?' It's not the first structural change in recent months – U. of C. announced the merger of the Division of the Humanities and UChicago Arts in April. That move was a strategic decision to 'better reflect and support the incredibly vibrant intellectual and creative community' at U. of C., the spokesperson said. Nelson framed the committees as a way to ensure thoughtful faculty input wth restructuring. The Division of the Arts and Humanities remains in a 'relatively good budget position' heading into the upcoming fiscal year, she said. 'If we do nothing, or if we become divided, we will essentially hand over control of shaping the future of the arts and humanities at UChicago to others outside our division,' Nelson wrote.
Medical News Today
3 days ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Boosting your walking pace by 14 steps per minute could fight frailty
As much as 24% of the global older adult population faces issues related to frailty. Past studies have shown that frailty can heighten a person's chance of developing cognitive impairment and dementia, and can also increase their fall risk.A new study has found that walking at a slightly faster speed than a person's normal pace may help improve physical function in older adults who are frail or at a high risk for frailty. Researchers have developed and tested a smartphone app designed to accurately measure walking pace, which can make it easier for older adults to increase their estimate that as much as 24% of the world's older adult population faces issues that are related to frailty — a medical condition that can increase a person's risk for functional studies show that frailty can heighten a person's risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, as well as their fall risk. 'Falls and frailty are major threats to healthy aging,' Daniel Rubin, MD, associate professor in the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care at the University of Chicago Medical Center told Medical News Today.'Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults, with one in four experiencing a fall each year. Frailty increases vulnerability to stressors and is linked to hospitalizations, loss of independence, falls, and even death,' Rubin is the lead author of a new study recently published in the journal PLOS One, which found that walking at a slightly faster speed than a person's normal pace may help improve physical function in older adults who are frail or at a high risk for frailty. Researchers have also developed and tested a smartphone app designed to accurately measure walking pace, which can make it easier for older adults to increase their slightly faster improves physical function in older adultsFor this study, researchers recruited 102 older adults ages 60 and older who were permanent residents in a retirement community, and were considered prefrail or participants were randomly assigned to one of two walking groups — a casual speed walking group and a high-intensity walking group. 'Walking is the most common form of exercise among older adults — it's accessible, low-cost, and adaptable to many fitness levels,' Rubin said. 'To get the most health benefits, walking should be done with enough intensity — and walking faster is one way to increase that intensity.''We wanted to see whether even frail or prefrail older adults could safely and meaningfully increase their walking speed and whether that would lead to superior improvements in physical function,' the researcher told the study's conclusion, scientists found that prefrail and frail study participants who walked slightly fast — about 14 steps per minute more than their usual pace — experienced meaningful improvements in their physical function.'This is a key finding because it shows that even modest increases in walking intensity can lead to meaningful improvements in physical function, even among frail or prefrail older adults,' Rubin explained. 'The 14-step threshold is important because it gives a clear target for older adults to increase their intensity.' 'One of the challenges of prescribing walking is to convey to the patients how much intensity they should walk,' he continued. 'Oftentimes there is the talk test, or they should walk a certain speed — 3-4 mph (miles per hour). Those are difficult for older adults to guide themselves. Here, we provide them with an objective measure that they can increase the number of steps/min that they walk to increase their intensity.'New smartphone app to accurately measure walking cadenceIn a second study published in the journal Digital Biomarkers, Rubin and his team spotlighted a clinical trial they conducted on a smartphone app they created called Walk Test, designed specifically to measure accurate walking cadence. 'We didn't necessarily trust smartphones' built-in analytics,' Rubin said in a press release. 'Instead, we built an app that uses a novel open-source method to analyze the data measured by the phone and lets us actively engage users in brief, deliberate walking tests, ensuring accurate measurement.''We wanted to make it as low-barrier as possible so it's easy for older adults to use without additional equipment. The people who need the most help are usually the least well-equipped to get started.'– Daniel Rubin, MDWhile the Walk Test app is not yet available to the public, Rubin told MNT they plan to make it publicly accessible once they secure additional funding to further develop and scale the more strategy for better fitness as we ageMNT had the opportunity to speak with Jonathan Bean, MD, MPH, a professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital at Mass General Brigham, about this study. 'I viewed [this study] as informative regarding an established principle of exercise training for frail older adults, that being […] if you have individuals train an important physiologic quality at a level that approaches their maximal potential, that their physiologic potential will expand,' Bean, who was not involved in this research, told to him:'It is very informative for clinicians identifying the potential benefit of having individuals walk at a brisker pace as a means of optimizing walking. It may be an additional mode of training that should be added to other existing training modes that optimize mobility skills.' 'Frailty is an important concept in the care of aging adults,' he continued. 'It is a state reflective of a decreased capacity to recover from a significant medical event, such as a surgery, hospitalization or medical illness. It is an important early warning sign of individuals at risk for experiencing future adverse medical events, developing future disability and death over the next one to five years.''Longevity starts now'MNT also spoke to Bert Mandelbaum, MD, a sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon and co-director of the Regenerative Orthobiologic Center at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles, about this research. 'There's a lot of information now which basically looks at the details of exercise as a robust therapeutic intervention,' Mandelbaum, who was not involved in the study, said.'And as we learn more, there's a very linear approach — a little exercise is better than no exercise, more exercise is better than less exercise, and optimal exercise is better than more exercise,' he added.'So the more we learn this, the more we learn that when you exercise more, you have greater bone density, greater density of cartilage, better balance, better mentation, better memory, [and] better motor coordination,' explained Mandelbaum. 'And so a system that really has a higher level of training, that would be my expectation to see.' 'I have a great expression — longevity starts now. And the great thing about the plasticity of our bodies, whether you're 50, 60, 80, 90, the answer is at any time, once you start to exercise, you get those benefits. Now, if you're 89 years old, you are going to get benefits, but they're not going to be as good and as incremental as if it were starting when you were 50. But the body is extraordinarily plastic […] so whatever point you start, it's going to impact longevity in a positive way.' – Bert Mandelbaum, MD
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon's quiet pricing twist on tariffs stuns shoppers
Amazon's quiet pricing twist on tariffs stuns shoppers originally appeared on TheStreet. We've all had that moment when you're scrolling through an Amazon () Prime Day deal, scoop something cheap, and feel like you're winning. Well, hold that thought. Though Amazon may still be handing out headline discounts, something a little less obvious is unfolding behind the scenes. 💵💰💰💵 It turns out that arguably the biggest name in retail just made a subtle move. Though shoppers might not have noticed that right away, the reasons behind it have everything to do with politics, and a promise that suddenly feels a little slippery. Tariffs may aim at producers, but shoppers take the hit Tariffs may sound like a win for American industry. In reality, though, they often end up costing regular people the most. When policymakers slap duties on imports, they say they're looking to protect domestic producers. However, history has shown that those taxes almost always impact consumer prices. In 1930, the Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act raised U.S. import taxes by over 50%. The result was that prices on clothing and home goods spiked, global trade tanked, and the Great Depression worsened. Fast forward to 2002. President George W. Bush imposed steel tariffs as high as 30%. That helped steelmakers but weighed down automakers, appliance brands, and construction top of that, we saw a marked increase in unemployment, prices climbed, and economic growth took a hit. Even "niche" tariffs ripple far. In 2018, washing machine duties led to a 12% jump in prices for washers and dryers (those weren't taxed). The University of Chicago estimated that it cost U.S. consumers a whopping $1.5 billion per year. That's because businesses can only respond to tariffs in three ways: stomach the cost, move production, or pass it down the line. Most opt for the third, which leaves shoppers holding the bag, especially when smaller businesses aren't able to negotiate better deals or spread out the pain. More News: Bank of America quietly reboots Microsoft stock price target JPMorgan reveals 9 stocks with major problems Rigetti shakes up quantum computing with bold advance President Donald Trump's tariffs today follow a similar pattern. The goal is to boost domestic output significantly, but it's likely to end up shrinking choice while hiking costs for shoppers. And when other countries hit back with their own tariffs, American exporters also feel the heat. Amazon's quiet pricing shift raises questions Though Amazon insists it's committed to keeping costs low, a recent report suggests otherwise. According to the Wall Street Journal, the e-commerce giant has been quietly raising prices on hundreds of essential items since President Trump's tariffs were announced in April. From deodorants to pet food, shoppers are feeling the squeeze, even if they haven't noticed yet. Amazon tariff prices on low-cost goods increased by an average of 5% from April to July, the report said. That may sound relatively low, but individual items paint a different instance, a single can of Campbell's clam chowder jumped nearly 30%. That's far from being a rounding error. It stings a lot more because Amazon CEO Andy Jassy had pledged to shield consumers from the fallout of Trump administration tariffs. They even doubled down during Amazon Prime Day deals, underscoring the importance of savings and affordability. However, in reality, it seems Amazon is absorbing costs on higher-ticket items while quietly letting prices climb on everyday goods. What's surprising is that Amazon sellers say they haven't upped their wholesale prices, suggesting the retail giant is looking to make a call on its end. Still, Amazon's rivals aren't following suit. Walmart recently lowered prices on comparable products, while Target is finding other ways to cut costs before touching prices. All of these positions put Amazon in a tricky spot. While it's still offering discounts on big-ticket items, its strategy on essentials offers an entirely different take, one shaped more by tariffs than consumer relief. As the Trump administration's trade policies evolve, shoppers may want to look at their carts as closely as their quiet pricing twist on tariffs stuns shoppers first appeared on TheStreet on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Allergies seem nearly impossible to avoid — unless you're Amish
Whether triggered by pollen, pet dander or peanuts, allergies in this day and age seem nearly impossible to avoid. But one group appears virtually immune, a mystery to experts who study allergies. Despite the increasing rate of allergic diseases, both in industrialized and in developing countries, the Amish remain exceptionally - and bafflingly - resistant. Only 7 percent of Amish children had a positive response to one or more common allergens in a skin prick test, compared with more than half of the general U.S. population. Even children from other traditional farming families, who still have lower rates of allergic disease than nonfarm children, are more allergic than the Amish. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. In fact, one Amish community living in northern Indiana is considered one of the least allergic populations ever measured in the developed world. 'Generally, across the country, about 8 to 10 percent of kids have asthma. In the Amish kids, it's probably 1 to 2 percent,' said Carole Ober, chair of human genetics at the University of Chicago. 'A few of them do have allergies, but at much, much lower rates compared to the general population.' Now, Ober and other researchers are trying to discover what makes Amish and other traditional farming communities unique, in the hopes of developing a protective treatment that could be given to young children. For instance, a probiotic or essential oil that contains substances found in farm dust, such as microbes and the molecules they produce, could stimulate children's immune systems in a way that prevents allergic disease. 'Certain kinds of farming practices, particularly the very traditional ones, have this extraordinary protective effect in the sense that, in these communities, asthma and allergies are virtually unknown,' said Donata Vercelli, a professor of cellular and molecular medicine at the University of Arizona. 'The studies that have been done in these farming populations are critical because they tell us that protection is an attainable goal.' The Amish are members of a Christian group who practice traditional farming - many live on single-family dairy farms - and use horses for fieldwork and transportation. As of 2024, around 395,000 Amish live in the United States, concentrated mostly in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. Over the past century, the incidence of allergic diseases - including hay fever (allergic rhinitis), asthma, food allergies and eczema - has increased dramatically. Hay fever, or an allergic reaction to tree, grass and weed pollens, emerged as the first recognized allergic disease in the early 1800s, climbing to epidemic levels in Europe and North America by 1900. The 1960s saw a sharp increase in the prevalence of pediatric asthma, a condition in which the airways tighten when breathing in an allergen. From the 1990s onward, there has been an upswing in the developed world in food allergies, including cow's milk, peanut and egg allergies. Urbanization, air pollution, dietary changes and an indoor lifestyle are often cited as possible factors. The 'hygiene hypothesis' - first proposed in a 1989 study by American immunologist David Strachan - suggests that early childhood exposure to microbes protects against allergic diseases by contributing to the development of a healthy immune system. The study found that hay fever and eczema were less common among children born into larger families. Strachan wondered whether unhygienic contact with older siblings served as a protection against allergies. Subsequent findings have given support to the hygiene hypothesis, such as that children who grow up with more household pets are less likely to develop asthma, hay fever or eczema. Perhaps even more beneficial than having older siblings or pets, however, is growing up on a farm. (More than 150 years ago, hay fever was known as an 'aristocratic disease,' almost wholly confined to the upper classes of society. Farmers appeared relatively immune.) This 'farm effect' has been confirmed by studies on agricultural populations around the world, including in the United States, Europe, Asia and South America. But even among farming communities, the most pronounced effect appears to be in the Amish. In a study of 60 schoolchildren by Ober, Vercelli and their colleagues, the prevalence of asthma was four times lower in the Amish as compared with the Hutterites, another U.S. farming community with a similar genetic ancestry and lifestyle. The prevalence of allergic sensitization - the development of antibodies to allergens and the first step to developing an allergy - was six times higher in the Hutterites. The researchers first ruled out a genetic cause; in fact, an analysis showed that the Amish and Hutterite children were remarkably similar in their ancestral roots. Instead, the main difference between these two populations seemed to be the amount of exposure as young children to farm animals or barns. 'The Hutterite kids and pregnant moms don't go into the animal barns. Kids aren't really exposed to the animal barns until they're like 12 or so, when they start learning how to do the work on the farm,' Ober said. 'The Amish kids are in and out of the cow barns all day long from an early age.' When analyzing samples of Amish and Hutterite house dust, they found a microbial load almost seven times higher in Amish homes. Later experiments showed that the airways of mice that inhaled Amish dust had dramatically reduced asthmalike symptoms when exposed to allergens. Mice that inhaled Hutterite dust did not receive the same benefit. Now, Ober and Vercelli are beginning to identify the protective agents in Amish dust that prevent allergic asthma. In 2023, their analysis of farm dust found proteins that act like delivery trucks, loaded with molecules produced by microbes and plants. When these transport proteins deliver their cargo to the mucus that lines the respiratory tract, it creates a protective environment that regulates airway responses and prevents inflammation. 'We don't really talk about the hygiene hypothesis as much anymore because we now understand that it's not really about how hygienic you're living,' said Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo, director of the Center for Food Allergy at the University of Rochester Medical Center. 'It's more like a microbial hypothesis, since beneficial bacteria that colonize the gut and other mucosal surfaces play a significant role.' During the first year or two of life, a baby's immune system is rapidly developing and highly malleable by environmental stimuli, such as bacteria. Some experts believe that exposing young children to certain types of beneficial bacteria can engage and shape the growing immune system in a way that reduces the risk of allergic diseases later in life. Farm dust contains a hodgepodge of bacteria shed from livestock and animal feed that isn't harmful enough to cause illness, but does effectively train the immune system to become less responsive to allergens later in life. In 2021, Järvinen-Seppo and her colleagues compared the gut microbiomes of 65 Old Order Mennonite infants from a rural community in New York with 39 urban/suburban infants from nearby Rochester. Like the Amish, the Old Order Mennonites follow a traditional agrarian lifestyle. Almost three-fourths of Mennonite infants in the study were colonized with B. infantis, a bacterium associated with lower rates of allergic diseases, in contrast to 21 percent of Rochester infants. 'The colonization rate is very low in the United States and other Western countries, compared to very high rates in Mennonite communities, similar to some developing countries,' Järvinen-Seppo said. 'This mirrors the rates of autoimmune and allergic diseases.' These clues about the origin of the farm effect represent a step toward the prevention of allergic diseases, Järvinen-Seppo says. Whatever form the treatment takes, the impact on prevention of allergic diseases, which affect millions of people worldwide and reduce quality of life, could be enormous, experts say. 'I don't know that we can give every family a cow. … But we are learning from these time-honored and very stable environments what type of substances and exposures are needed,' Vercelli said. 'Once we know that, I don't think there will be any impediment to creating protective strategies along these lines.' Related Content Family adopts a shelter dog — then learns he's the father of their late dog Can the Fed stay independent? Trump-era adviser may put it to the test. The Hubble telescope zooms in on the galaxy next door Solve the daily Crossword
