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August is National Eye Exam Month. This is a good time to remember the importance of getting regular, comprehensive eye exams. Having your vision checked should be part of taking care of your overall health, just like going to the dentist and getting an annual physical.
WHA members interested in getting fit and staying healthy have several choices. One is the Active&Fit Direct program, which allows a WHA member to work out at any fitness center in their network. The monthly cost is just $25 (plus a $25 enrollment fee and taxes where applicable) – that’s less than $1 a day!
You exercise to keep your body healthy, but your mind needs training too. To boost both physical and mental health, try dancing, tai chi or yoga.
With the end of summer vacation comes the start of a new school year. This can be a hectic time, as families busily shop for classroom supplies and new fall clothes. But it’s important to add one more item to your back-to-school to-do list: Schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician.
Summer travel can take you to elevations well above sea level, and it may be challenging for those unused to high altitudes to acclimate to the reduced oxygen in the atmosphere. It can also complicate your exercise efforts. Dr. Lineberry of Mercy Medical Group offers guidance on working out in high places. inated.
The number children who died in the U.S. during the 2017-2018 flu season hit an all-time high with 186 deaths. About three-quarters of these deaths occurred in children who were not vaccinated.
Members of Western Health Advantage benefit from the added comfort provided by Assist America. As part of WHA’s health plan, urgent care and emergency care services are covered wherever you are in the world. Anytime you travel 100 miles or more away from home, even in a foreign country, you are eligible for Assist America’s assistance services, which include:
It’s summertime and that means it’s time for lemonade stands, grilling, picnics, beach days and pool parties. Unfortunately, in California, drowning is a leading cause of injury-related deaths among children under the age of five. Each year, near-drowning incidents result in life-long disabilities.
It’s summer time and children are out of school, many folks are taking a vacation or planning one, and it’s probably hot outside! For hospitals and urgent care centers, however, this is a time of year to be ready. As people enjoy the outdoors and engage in more adventurous activities, the number of injuries and trauma incidents seen at hospitals double, compared to winter, according to Assist America. The most common causes of injuries during the summer include car accidents, severe sunburn, water-sports injuries, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and falls.
Summer is prime time for outdoor cooking, such as around Independence Day, July 4th. Don’t let improperly prepared food ruin your summer event. Here is a bit of advice for this season’s outdoor eating—from picnics to dinner parties.
No one wants to spend a beautiful day sick in bed. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to lower your chances of getting a spring cold or other seasonal illness.
Taking care of yourself when you are feeling anxious or alone can be tough. Read on for some easy ways to help chase away the blues.
Do you sometimes find that you’re not in the mood to go to the gym? Fortunately, there are other ways to get in a workout! For maintaining a healthy lifestyle, consider these alternatives:
Join over 10,000 attendees on Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9 for the Sacramento Pride Festival, an LGBT celebration that promotes acceptance and pride with a parade followed by an outdoor party on the Capitol Mall. WHA is a supporter of the event.
The newly revamped Family Day at Safetyville, held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 11 AM to 3 PM, is a free event designed to give families valuable information and access to community resources in the Sacramento area. The event takes place in a unique miniature city that is designed to teach children safety skills. Western Health Advantage is a sponsor of this event.
Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country with screenings, health fairs, media appearances, and other health education and outreach activities. The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
Observed annually in June, National Safety Month focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road and in our homes and communities.
Since being introduced in 2006, e-cigarettes continue to appeal to those wishing to stop smoking or as an alternative to regular cigarettes. Use of e-cigarettes or e-cigs is called “vaping,” which uses cartridges that are filled with a liquid that contains nicotine, flavoring and other chemicals and is then heated into a vapor and inhaled.
Mental Health Month was started 70 years ago as a national health observance by Mental Health America. Their goal is to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone.
Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) marks May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. As it's a peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers, this is a perfect time to learn about these conditions.