Health Centers’ Eat Well, Be Well, Feel Well Event Is Next Week

As part of the effort to keep members and their families in the best health possible, the Health Centers sponsor a number of Health and Wellness events throughout the year. One of the most important of these events takes place next week.

The event is called Eat Well, Be Well, Feel Well, and it has been described as one of the most valuable ways to spend an hour or so of your time. In fact, it has often been explained this way: If you could spend an hour of your time to avoid a lengthy stay in the hospital in the future, wouldn’t you consider that a great investment? And if you could greatly improve the chances of living a longer, healthier and happier life by taking an hour of your time to do something very easy you would jump at the opportunity, wouldn’t you?

We know the answers to these questions. And by attending the “Eat Well, Be Well, Feel Well” Health and Wellness Event next week at any of the Union’s Health and Dental Centers, you can see for yourself how much of a beneficial difference a single hour there can make. The event takes place every day from Monday, March 24 up to and including Friday, March 28. It really is one of the most solid investments of your time that you can ever make. This year, the event will be particularly interesting, as members will be able to view live demonstrations of the Patient Portal called HappyHealthyMe and sign up for the free service. There is a separate article in this edition that tells you more about the patient portal.

As we have explained before, there is no doubt whatsoever that “Eat Well, Be Well, Feel Well”  can help you lead a longer, healthier and happier life. Here’s what we mean. Do you know what the number one cause of death among adults is in the U.S.? No, it’s not cancer, accidents or AIDS. In fact, it isn’t these three killers combined. Instead, the number one killer of Americans is heart and blood vessel disease.

The sad truth is that more than 2,500 Americans die every day from heart and blood vessel disease, and many more are incapacitated (through strokes, for example). As usual, education about heart and blood vessel disease will be a major focus of “Eat Well, Be Well, Feel Well” week. The event will help you find fun ways to get physically fit and improve your heart health.

Members can use the event to learn how to become smoke-free and stay that way, too.

As always, no appointments will be necessary for members to visit any of the Health or Dental Centers to take advantage of this opportunity to maintain good health.

Last year, thousands of members participated in the event! Basically, visitors to the Health Centers during this special week will learn about the “Do’s and Don’ts” of their lifestyles. As an example, nutritionists will be on hand to help participants learn how to eat healthy. Another example is the fact that there are many risk factors that can contribute to heart disease and stroke.

They include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette/tobacco smoke, physical inactivity and a high fat diet. Diabetes, obesity, stress and a family history are other contributors to heart disease.

The good news is that you can avoid many of these risk factors and overcome others. Having medical check-ups and evaluating your own lifestyle are the first steps to good health. A healthy diet, in combination with regular physical activity, can protect your heart and reduce the risk of disease. By visiting the Health and Dental Centers during the “Eat Well, Be Well, Feel Well” event, members will have the opportunity to learn about their risk factors for heart and blood vessel disease and cancer. And that is important because proper education, along with regular visits to your physician, can greatly reduce your risk of illness.

Many who visit the Health and Dental Centers for the “Eat Well, Be Well, Feel Well” Health Awareness Event will have their height, weight, blood pressure, pulse and respiration checked. Many will also be able to have their blood sugar tested with a simple finger stick. Many will have their Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated. This test will reveal the percentage of body composition between muscle, fat and water. Many will be interviewed to identify risk factors for heart disease and stroke and, if necessary, will be directed to the appropriate resources that will be on hand.

In the event that abnormalities are identified through any of these tests, appointments will be made to have comprehensive physical exams conducted by Health Center doctors or, if necessary, referrals will be made to specialists. Educational literature and video programming will be on site. Staff and physicians will be available for consultation and to answer any questions. If indicated, they will arrange follow-up care or evaluation. Information on the Health Centers’ highly successful stop smoking program and its support groups will be available for members who want to stop smoking, as will information about medications that have assisted members in the effort to give up nicotine. Members will be able to sign up for workshops on depression and stress management coordinated by the Members Health Assistance Program (MHAP).

Like other Health and Wellness Events, “Eat Well, Be Well, Feel Well” can prove to be the difference between good health and a serious medical problem. As an example, high blood pressure is a “silent killer,” meaning a medical condition that often has no symptoms. That means that you may have high blood pressure without even knowing it. But by attending “Eat Well, Be Well, Feel Well” you can find out if you have high blood pressure or if you are at risk for heart and blood vessel diseases. You can learn about good nutrition and how eating healthy can keep you healthy.

There is conclusive evidence that proper diet and exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease and other illnesses like cancer. That’s why attending “Eat Well, Be Well, Feel Well” can really make a difference in how you feel and how long you will live. Again, the event will take place at the Health and Dental Centers next week, from Monday, March 24 up to and including Friday, March 28, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. And remember, NO APPOINTMENTS ARE NECESSARY!