It is one of the main objectives of the United Way Sponsored Group Insurance Plan to promote wellness and preventive care. Read these tips and feel free to share this information in your workplace to help enhance the well-being and health of your employees.
Also be sure to view Important Dates related to the Group Insurance plan.
 High Blood Pressure Awareness
About 1 of 3 adults in the United States has high blood pressure, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death in the United States. High blood pressure is called the "silent killer" because it often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people don't realize they have it. That's why it's important to get your blood pressure checked regularly. The good news is that you can take steps to prevent high blood pressure, or to treat it if it is already high. Learn more:
What is High Blood Pressure
Prevention of High Blood Pressure
Treatment of High Blood Pressure
5 People with High Blood Pressure Who are Making Changes to Control It
Additional Information
 National Public Health Week
National Public Health Week will occur the first week of April. This is a great time to remind your clients and staff that “Safety is No Accident.” Listed below are some resources to help you spread the message about preventing injuries and violence in our communities.
Toolkit (fact sheets, suggested events and additional resources)
Injury prevention websites
Social media tips
 February Wellness Tip - Create Your Plan for a Healthy Heart
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The month of February is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease and increasing knowledge about prevention. A healthy heart is the result of good genes, physical activity, healthy food choices and managing stress. Although you can’t change your genes, improving your lifestyle habits can greatly decrease your risk of heart disease.
Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack are crucial to saving one's life. People who have survived a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of another heart attack or a stroke in the future. Read on, and get heart healthy!
Learn more about heart disease
Learn about the warning signs of a heart attack
Take the American Heart Association’s “My Life Check assessment” to get your own personal heart score and life plan
Get Healthy! From good nutrition to stress relief and smoking cessation, you’ll find some great resources here
 GREAT AMERICAN SMOKE OUT - NOVEMBER 18
The third Thursday of November is a day set aside to help smokers quit smoking for at least one day, with the hope that they will quit completely. The American Cancer Society sponsors the annual event and provides assistance and resources to help smokers use the Smokeout as an opportunity to quit smoking for good. To have the best chance of quitting successfully, ACS provides several resources, including flyers and posters that you can post throughout your workplace to encourage your employees to take this important step towards a healthier lifestyle:
Guide to quitting smoking
Learn about the Quit for Life program
Desktop helpers to plan your quit day
Posters, flyers and more for the workplace
 Shine a Purple Light to help end Domestic Violence
Domestic violence shouldn’t happen to anybody. But unfortunately, it does. Each October programs and forums are held to shine a light on this issue and increase awareness.
Ending the silence that protects abusers is the first step to ending domestic violence. And we all can help by participating in the Domestic Violence Center’s Purple Light Nights™ awareness campaign. Learn how you can get involved.
You also can do more by volunteering at the Domestic Violence Center as well as through your support of the United Way campaign. United Way funds several programs provided by the Domestic Violence Center. Learn more about the Domestic Violence Center.
And most important, if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please call the 24-hour HELPLine at 216-391-HELP now.
September 13 - October 6: It's Time to Watch Your Mouth
Increasing evidence connects gum disease to debilitating and costly problems including diabetes, heart disease and premature birth. Even so, millions of people avoid or delay trips to the dentist due to anxiety, fear, or the inability to pay. In September, ideastream launches "Watch Your Mouth!," multiple media coverage showing how oral health is linked to overall health. In the television program on Sept. 30, personal stories of Northeast Ohioans, as well as the expertise of local doctors and findings from the latest research sheds some light on the often-overlooked importance of a healthy mouth.
View a flyer with dates of programs with in-depth coverage on oral health (programming begins 9/13).
June 14 – 20 is National Men’s Health Week
Do you know the greatest threats to men's health? The list is surprisingly short -- and prevention pays off. Consider this top 10 list of men's health threats, compiled from statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other leading organizations. Then take steps to promote men's health and reduce your risks.
Men’s health: Preventing your top 10 threats
Your checklist for health
Spring into Action: May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Asthma and allergies affect so many Americans that the month of May has been designated as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. And right now it’s peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers, due to the abundance of different allergens at this time of year. These allergens trigger attacks of asthma or seasonal allergies that plague sufferers with the problems of itching, sneezing, watery eyes and breathing difficulties. What better time to educate your co-workers, family, friends and others about these diseases?
Get an Awareness Month Planning Kit (PDF)
Food Allergy Information
Asthma Facts & Figures
Common Allergy Issues in Children
April is Stress Awareness Month
Too much pressure at work? Are the kids getting on your nerves? Is there enough money to pay all of those the bills? There are thousands of reasons for you to get stressed out. The month of April has been designated as Stress Awareness Month, and this is your opportunity to learn, and to do something about it.
Each year, millions of Americans die of stress-related illnesses. Heart disease, strokes, and even some forms of cancer may be caused by stress in certain individuals. If we include the damage done by smoking, overeating, alcohol, and drugs--all commonly used to cope with stress--we can see that we are in the midst of a major epidemic with serious, often fatal, consequences. So take a deep breath, clear your mind, and spend a few moments learning to deal with stress.
How to reduce, prevent and cope with stress
15 Tips for Reducing Stress
Time management tips to reduce stress
Take a quiz to see how stressed you are
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