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| Don't Forget! |
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The second eligibility period for WOW! Rewards began on April 1st and ends on September 30th.
For more information on Rolling Rewards and Instant Incentives, go to the WOW! Homepage.
How do you tell if you've completed the program requirements? Click here to find out! |
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Tobacco Treatment |
Tobacco treatment is expanding! Click HERE to learn more. | |
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Greetings from the MaineHealth WOW! (Works on Wellness) Team!
 June is a month to focus on our fathers-and other men in our midst. To quote Congressman Bill Richardson: "Recognizing and preventing men's health problems is not just a man's issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men's health is truly a family issue."
As part of National Men's Health Week (June 9-15), remind your favorite guy to:
- Check in with his favorite physician (or other primary care provider). For tips on talking with a doc, see June's WOW! Newsletter.
- Stay up-to-date with his preventive health screenings. For more information, click here.
- Find time to exercise. Live in the Greater Portland area? Download the "Get Up and Go Guide" at www.letsgo.org.
- Eat body-friendly food, such as the heart-healthy selection included below.
- Make safety a top priority. According to the Home Safety Council, unintentional injuries at home result in 21 million medical visits each year. Yikes! FMI, see the 2007/2008 WOW! Calendar.
- Learn more about National Men's Health Week at www.menshealthweek.org.
Remember: Father's Day is June 15. For some "Health-Enhancing" Father's Day Gift ideas, see June's Enlightened Living column (click on In Good Health at www.themaineswitch.com), courtesy of the MaineHealth Learning Resource Centers (1-866-609-5183).
Finally, before you head out the door to savor a sunny day, take a minute to find out whether your summer wellness activities are eligible for WOW! Rebates (Instant Incentives), by clicking here.
Happy June!
Lisa Belisle, MD, MPH
Medical Advisor, MaineHealth WOW! |
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RECIPE: Looking for a man-friendly, heart-healthy fish dish? Try the following:
Halibut with Jalapeņo-Lime Marinade and Grilled Nectarines
- 1 lb skinless halibut fillets (approx 3-4 oz per person)
- 2 nectarines (just ripe)
Marinade
- 2 Tbsp peanut oil
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- the juice of 2 limes
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 small mild jalapeņo pepper, seeded and minced
Combine marinade ingredients; set 1/4 cup aside. Marinade halibut, covered in the refrigerator, for an hour. Slice the nectarines 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and swirl them in the reserved marinade. Grill both halibut and nectarines. The nectarine slices will be done before the fish--remove them when finished and set them aside. Reheat them on the grill once the halibut is finished, and serve them atop the halibut on a festive plate.
(from www.bountiful-blog.com)
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National Men's Health Week is June 9-15. According to www.prostatehealthguide.com, "each year over 230,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 30,000 will die of it." Men with cancer and their families often find themselves faced with significant emotional, physical and financial concerns. These don't have to be faced alone. MaineHealth employees who are dealing with cancer-related issues can get help through the LifeBalance Employee Assistance Program. For more information, visit www.mainehealth.org/wow. |
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Tobacco Tales
Pipe or cigar smoking is often thought to be a safer alternative to cigarette smoking. Many people do not know however, that cigars contain high levels of nicotine. In fact, since cigar smoke is easily dissolved in saliva, the nicotine is easily absorbed into the body through the lining of the mouth, even if the smoke is not inhaled. Cigars produce greater amounts of tar, carbon monoxide and ammonia per gram of tobacco smoked than cigarettes. Additionally, a strong cancer-causing chemical known as tobacco-specific N-nitrosomine is found in higher amounts in cigar smoke than cigarette smoke. This all contributes to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and lung disease.
In other words, cigars are not safe and smoking cigars instead of cigarettes does not decrease the risk of becoming addicted to nicotine or the risk for adverse health effects.
Counseling around any issue related to tobacco use, including help with quitting, is available at no charge for employees and their dependents. Medications to help you cut down or quit are available at no charge for anyone with the MaineHealth insurance coverage.
Contact Pam Craig at the Center For Tobacco Independence, (a MaineHealth Program) at 662-7154 for appointments and more information, or go to the web site at www.tobaccoindependence.org.
You can also call the Maine Tobacco HelpLine for free counseling over the phone at 1-800-207-1230.
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