We'll find a way to better health, together. Moda Health, in partnership with your organization, aims to promote healthy lifestyle choices and encourage you to make the most of your healthcare benefits. The journey to health is a lifelong journey. It's all about simple, everyday steps -- becoming more involved in your health, taking more accountability for making knowledgeable healthcare decisions and pursuing a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
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Get ourside and get healthy!
Summer is just beginning, and it's time to plan ways to take advantage of all that sunshine, and get outside for fresh air and exercise. Hiking, biking, swimming or just exploring - there are endless methods of enjoying the beautiful outdoors this month and most activities are easy and affordable ways for you to enjoy your summer. No matter where you live, there are places in every community - from bike paths and trails, to local parks, ponds and playgrounds - to get moving outside and have a little fun. Regular participation in outdoor activities has been shown to boost children's creativity and focus, in addition to building aerobic capacity and strength.
Make sure you're prepared
Enjoying the sunshine is vital to summer, but make sure you have the essentials before you leave the house. It's important to be prepared, so keep these tips in mind:
- Tell someone where you're going and when you'll return.
- Bring a backpack to carry items and keep your hands free.
- Pack water - enough for everyone to stay hydrated
- Bring along healthy snacks.
- Don't forget sun protection - grab a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Wear layers so you can warm up or cool down.
Sources: letsmove.gov and helathfinder.gov. |
June is Men's Health Month
Men face unique health challenges, and one of the most dangerous is their reluctance to seek health care. In fact, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), men are 24 percent less likely than women to have seen a doctor in the past year. Many of the major health risks that men face-such as colon cancer and heart disease-can actually be prevented and treated with earlier diagnosis. Screening tests can often find these diseases early, when they are easier to treat. Men's Health Month is a chance for both men and women to increase their awareness of the potentially significant health problems that men face, as well as what steps they can take to prevent such problems. Taking care of yourself is part of being the best man you can be. For additional support, ODS offers free one-on-one health coaching through our Care programs. Contact a health coach at careprograms@modahealth.com for more information. Source: US Department of Health & Human Services |
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Lawnmower safety
According to the Insurance Information Institute, lawnmower injuries send approximately 75,000 people to the Emergency Department each year. Of this number, around 16,000 are under 19 years of age, with 600 of these young people sustaining amputations. Sadly, relatively few of these injuries are due to mechanical problems with the lawnmower-most are the result of human error.
What are some of the most common types of injuries? Lawn mower injuries include deep cuts, loss of fingers and toes, broken bones, burns, and eye damage. Approximately one-fourth of lawnmower injuries involve the wrist, hand or finger and a slightly smaller percentage affect the foot, ankle, or toes. Eye damage from flying debris is a less common, but potentially sight-threatening, lawnmower-related injury. Injuries can occur not only to the lawnmower operator, but also to nearby individuals.
How can mowing be made safer? By taking special precautions, the great majority of lawnmower injuries can be prevented. The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers these suggestions for safer use of power lawnmowers:
- Read the owner's manual to become familiar with the workings of the machine. Keep the manual in a safe place so it will be handy the next time you need it.
- Fill the fuel tank before starting the engine to cut the lawn. Never refuel the mower when it is running or while the engine is hot.
- Check the lawn for debris (twigs, rocks and other objects) before mowing the lawn. Objects have been struck by the mower blade and thrown out from under the mower, resulting in severe injuries and deaths. Wearing eye protection is advised.
- Don't cut the grass when it's wet. Wet clippings can clog the discharge chute, jamming the rotary blade and causing the engine to shut down. When you need to remove clippings from the chute, the motor must be stopped.
- Wear sturdy shoes with sure-grip soles when using the mower, never sneakers, sandals or with bare feet. Slacks rather than shorts offer better protection for the legs.
- If the lawn slopes, mow across the slope with the walk-behind rotary mower, never up and down. With a riding mower, drive up and down the slope, not across it.
- Don't remove any safety devices on the mower. Remember that the safety features were installed to help protect you against injury. Check safety features often and repair or replace if needed.
- With an electric mower, organize your work so you first cut the area nearest the electrical outlet, then gradually move away. This will minimize chances of your running over the power cord and being electrocuted.
In addition to the above suggestions, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children younger than 16 years should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers and children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers. Additionally, children should never be allowed to ride as passengers on riding mowers. Prior to mowing, make sure that children are indoors or at a safe distance away from the area to be mowed.
Source: ODS eDoc Health Tip |
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