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February 2014
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Issue No. 43
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 Smile Smarts! A comprehensive guide to oral health education
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Encourage the children in your life to take care of their teeth today and every day. The educational guides below can help you teach preschoolers through junior high-schoolers about the importance of oral health.
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| About Us | |
A not-for-profit ministry of
Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust Inc.
Church of the Brethren Insurance Services provides ancillary coverage for ministers and other employees of congregations, districts, and camps.
Medical and ancillary plans are available to Brethren-affiliated employer groups.
Long-Term Care Insurance is available for all members of the Church of the Brethren, their family and friends, and employees of Church of the Brethren-affiliated agencies, organizations, colleges, and retirement communities.
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Contact Us
1505 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
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How healthy is your heart? It's a question you should ask yourself this month (and every other month). February is American Heart Month -- a time to check in with your heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., but it's also preventable. Take the quiz below to see how your heart health fares.
Speaking of preventive care, did you know there's a schedule of recommended screenings you should pursue with your physician to ensure your health is on the right track? We've included a guide for all adults, as well as unique screenings recommended for men and women, below. Check it out.
We also encourage you to think about the oral health of young people in your life. How are you helping your children, grandchildren, or other kids in your community take good care of their teeth? Get some ideas on how to broach the subject from a detailed educational guide to the left.
As always, we're here for you to help keep your body healthy and your mind at ease.
 Scott, Tammy, and Connie
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Heart disease risk quiz
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Is your heart health on track, or dangerously off the rails? Take this quiz below to get a sense of whether you have need for concern. Write down the number to the right of each answer you choose and add them up at the end of the quiz. Use the key at the bottom to get advice about your particular heart health.
What's your blood pressure?
- Below 120/80 (0)
- Between 120/80 and 140/90 (+1)
- Above 140/90 (+3)
- Don't know (+1)
What's your cholesterol?
- HDL ("good cholesterol) above 50, LDL ("bad" cholesterol) below 130, triglycerides (fat levels in the blood) less that 150 (0)
- Any of the following: HDL below 50, LDL above 130, triglycerides above 150 (+2)
- Don't know (+1)
How often do you eat fried foods?
- Once a month (+1)
- Several times a month (+2)
- Never (0)
Does anyone in your family have heart disease?
- Yes, my mother had problems before age 65, or my father before age 55 (+2)
- No (0)
- Don't know (+1)
On a typical weekend night, you:
- Have one glass of wine or beer (+1)
- Have more than one glass of alcohol (+2)
- Skip the alcohol (0)
How many cigarettes have you smoked this week?
- None (0)
- Just a few (+3)
- Half a pack or more each day (+8)
How many colors were in your last meal?
- 1 - for example, chicken and rice (+2)
- 2 to 4 - some vegetables (+1)
- 4 or more - for example, a salad and some vegetables (0)
How do you feel after climbing three flights of stairs?
- Fine or even energized (0)
- Winded (+1)
- Who knows? I never climb stairs (+2)
What's your body mass index (BMI)?
- 18.5 to 24.9 (0)
- 25 to 29.9 (+1)
- 30 or above (+2)
Results:
0-2: You are on the right track to preventing heart disease. Exercise, eating right, and avoiding cigarettes can help prevent 80 percent of heart disease.
3-7: One or two harmful habits can increase your chances of developing heart disease. Simply knowing your risk factors is also important to reducing your risk, especially if you need to reduce your cholesterol or blood pressure.
8 or higher: Get to the doctor! Make the commitment to one healthy behavior change.
This brochure is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Design © 2007-2011 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from the National Business Group on Health.
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2013-2014 Adult Wellness Guidelines
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Prevention is the first step toward maintaining a sustainable level of bodily health. But what key indicators let you know whether your body is in good shape? Click here to review a brief guide that describes the screenings you need to undertake with your doctor and how often you should be screened.
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| Log on to your Brethren Medical Plan/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Web portal today! | Need to access claim history, deductible information, and explanation of benefits reports in a pinch? Want to take advantage of the spectrum of online-only wellness services available to you through Brethren Medical Plan? Wait no longer -- gain access to these and more services now. Follow the instructions below, or click here to get detailed information about your medical Web portal.
1. Visit bcbsil.com in your Web browser.
2. Click the Already a member? Tab, then click the New user?
Register Now link.
3. Use the information on your Brethren Medical Plan/BCBSIL ID card to complete the registration process.
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| Long-Term Care Insurance |
About 10 percent of the people who enter a nursing home will stay there five years or more, according to 2011 Medicare statistics. How will you be able to afford that if you're one of the 10 percent?
Brethren Insurance Services is here to help you. We offer Long-Term Care Insurance for all members of the Church of the Brethren, their family and friends, and employees of Church of the Brethren-affiliated agencies, organizations, colleges, and retirement communities.
If you are interested in obtaining this coverage, contact Brethren Insurance Services at insurance@cobbt.org or 800-746-1505 for a free, no-obligation proposal or click here to request more information.
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