Just the facts. Clearing up immunization myths PAGE 6 CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE PAGE 4 MEN'S CANCER RISKS PAGE 5 SIZZLIN' FISH STEW PAGE 8

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1 WINTER 2017 VISIT US AT METROPLUS.ORG FIND METROPLUSHEALTH ON Just the facts Clearing up immunization myths PAGE 6 CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE PAGE 4 MEN'S CANCER RISKS PAGE 5 SIZZLIN' FISH STEW PAGE 8 INSIDE: STAY SAFE AT HOME Facebook f Logo CMYK /.eps Facebook f Logo CMYK /.eps Visit us at metroplus.org

2 Help Your Providers Work Together If you have multiple doctors, some caring for your physical health and others for your mental health, you want everyone to be on the same page. Because conditions and medications can affect each other, all of your doctors should know about all the care you are receiving. How can you keep everyone in the loop? The best way is to sign a release of information form with every doctor you see. This allows the doctors you list to share information about your conditions, medications and treatment plan. You can ask your doctor for this form, or you can call MetroPlus for assistance. Are You Due for a Mammogram? Wouldn t it be great if we could treat a disease before it even makes you feel sick? That s just what screening mammograms are meant to do. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that allows doctors to see any abnormalities in your breast tissue. MetroPlus covers annual mammograms for all women starting at age 40. You can also get one baseline mammogram between ages 35 and 39. Your doctor will help you determine the screening schedule that s right for you, based on your family and medical histories. How do you schedule a mammogram? First, talk to your PCP or OB/GYN. They will help you get a referral to an imaging center in the MetroPlus network to ensure that your mammogram is fully covered. Search for in-network providers at metroplus.org, or call us at (TTY users: 711). Then, call the imaging center and choose an appointment that falls during the week after your period, when your breasts will be the least tender. It s also a good idea to pick a morning appointment, since you can t wear deodorant before the test. It s Not Too Late to Vaccinate As long as flu viruses are circulating, there s still a benefit to getting a flu shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though the peak of flu season usually falls between December and February, flu activity can last until May. 2 GOLDHealthNews

3 Winter Is Coming Prescription Pointers Prescriptions have the power to heal, and we re lucky to have them. But sometimes it s hard to know which drugs are covered. If you have questions about your prescription drug coverage, get answers by logging in to your account at metroplus.org or calling (TTY users: 711). If you want to save money on prescriptions, ask your doctor to prescribe a generic drug and look into receiving your medications by mail. On a chilly day, it s tempting to stay inside with a blanket and a mug of hot cocoa. But sometimes you can t take a personal snow day. When you must venture out, get that cozy feeling by dressing appropriately for the weather. Wear several layers of light, warm clothing, topped with a wind-resistant coat to reduce loss of body heat. And don t forget the mittens, hats, scarves and waterproof boots. If your outside time involves shoveling snow, take precautions to protect your back and your heart. Work slowly, shoveling many light loads instead of fewer heavy ones. Try to push the snow rather than lift it. Take plenty of breaks, and drink lots of water. If you have heart or back problems or are out of shape, consider asking a family member for help or hiring a local teen. Then maybe you can enjoy that hot cocoa after all. Give Your Eyes a Break You depend on your eyes for so much information about the world. In turn, your eyes depend on you to keep them healthy. Here s how to protect your eyesight: Visit an eye doctor regularly, every two years for adults (every year for those over age 60). Children should see the eye doctor at 6 months, age 3, before first grade and then every two years after that. All children should be screened at least once between ages 3 and 5 to detect amblyopia or its risk factors. Buy quality sunglasses. Your shades should block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Watch out for eyestrain. Too much screen time can harm your vision. If you have to use a screen for long periods, follow the rule: Look up every 20 minutes to a point at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Purchase protective eyewear. When doing any activity with a risk of eye injury, such as sports, home repair or yardwork, put on safety glasses. metroplus.org 3

4 You Ask, We Answer: Coronary Artery Disease WHAT IS CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE? When the arteries that supply blood to the heart become hard and narrow from a buildup of plaque inside them, it s called coronary artery disease (CAD). The plaque is partly made up of cholesterol, and it prevents blood from flowing through the artery. When not enough blood can reach the heart, a person can experience chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath or even a heart attack. HOW COMMON IS IT? CAD is the most common type of heart disease. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, it s the leading cause of death in the nation. CAN CAD BE PREVENTED? CAD is complex. There are some risk factors we can change and some we can t. You can t control getting older, having a family history or being from a race with higher rates of heart trouble, such as African-Americans or Mexican-Americans. But you can refuse cigarettes or quit smoking, control your weight, get regular exercise and take medication for high blood pressure as prescribed. HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE CAD? There isn t one test to diagnose CAD. Your doctor may perform several tests (an electrocardiogram, a stress test, an echocardiogram, a chest X-ray, blood tests or cardiac catheterization) to determine if you have it. CAN IT BE TREATED? Most doctors start by trying to control CAD with medicine. If needed, there are surgical options, such an angioplasty or heart bypass surgery. Surgery has its own risks, but most patients recover well, with some having a better activity level than before. Take Our Heart-Health Quiz Test your heart smarts. Can you choose the right answers about heart disease risk? 1. The three key risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking, and (27 47) percent of Americans have at least one of them. 2. Having diabetes (decreases increases) your risk of getting heart disease. 3. Age plays a role as well. The risk of heart disease increases for men after age (45 65) and for women after (pregnancy menopause). ANSWERS Increases 3. 45; menopause 4 GOLDHealthNews

5 Men: Do You Know Your Cancer Risk? Some men love numbers, particularly the stats of a sports team or the horsepower of a car. But when it comes to their personal numbers their risk of various cancers it s a different story. According to the American Cancer Society, the most common kinds of cancer among men are skin cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and colorectal (colon) cancer. Learn what s true and false about your risk and what you can do to lower it. It could save your life. MOST PROSTATE CANCER IS FOUND IN MEN OVER AGE 65. True. The chance of getting prostate cancer increases as you age. However, African-American men and those with a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65 may have higher risk of getting cancer earlier. PEOPLE WITH BLOND OR RED HAIR ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET SKIN CANCER. True. Those with light hair and skin have a higher risk, but anyone who spends time in the sun (or uses tanning beds) can develop skin cancer. Other risk factors are having a close family member with melanoma and getting severe sunburns as a child. You can prevent skin cancer by limiting your exposure to ultraviolet rays. That means staying out of the sun and avoiding tanning beds. When you have to be in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves, sunglasses and sunscreen that s at least SPF 30. THERE S NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT COLON CANCER. False. In fact, colon cancer can be prevented two ways: through lifestyle choices and testing. Risk-lowering lifestyle choices include keeping a healthy weight, eating a low-fat diet, being physically active and not smoking. Testing can prevent colon cancer by finding and removing precancerous polyps before they become cancer. NONSMOKERS CAN T GET LUNG CANCER. False. Smoking is far and away the biggest culprit (responsible for 8 of 10 lung cancer deaths), but people who don t smoke can also get lung cancer if they are exposed to radon, air pollution, asbestos, diesel exhaust or secondhand smoke. Six Screening Tests for Men To stay strong and healthy, it s important for men to check in with a primary care physician every year for preventive care. Preventive screenings can find health problems before they become serious. Talk with your doctor about these key screening tests for men: Cholesterol: Starting at age 20, have a complete, fasting lipid profile every five years. Diabetes: Starting at age 45, or earlier if you have multiple risk factors. Colorectal cancer: Starting at age 50, or earlier if you have a family history. Lung cancer: Adults ages with a history of smoking. Prostate cancer: Talk with your doctor about when to start getting screened. Blood pressure: Starting at age 18, check every three to five years. After age 40, check every year. metroplus.org 5

6 Term Defined: Well-Child Visit One of the best ways to keep your child safe and healthy is to visit the pediatrician regularly, even when your child isn t sick. These preventive appointments are called well-child visits, and they focus on monitoring your child s growth and development and keeping up with recommended immunizations. as soon as they are born. Vaccines are minimal by comparison. Common Immunization Myths Do you have questions about vaccines? Don t hesitate to discuss them with your child s pediatrician, so he or she can help you separate truth from fiction. For a head start, read the immunization myths described here and then check the chart to see if your child is up to date. MYTH: Vaccines cause autism. Now completely discredited, the study that suggested this hypothesis was riddled with errors and conflicts of interest. As a result, the physician s medical license was revoked. No credible studies have found any link between vaccines and autism. MYTH: Too many vaccines overload a child s developing immune system. The immune system is quite resilient. Babies are exposed to thousands of germs every day MYTH: Vaccines contain toxic ingredients. Some vaccines do contain trace amounts of mercury, formaldehyde and aluminum, either to preserve the vaccine or make it work better. However, the amount is not enough to cause a problem. In fact, children are exposed to these substances every day at higher levels than are found in vaccines. MYTH: It s better to get immunity naturally. Catching and suffering from a disease is a risky way to get immunity. Children develop similar immunity from vaccines, without the dangers of death and disability faced by previous generations Immunizations Birth mos. 2 mos. 4 mos. 6 mos. mos. mos. mos. mos. years DTaP IPV polio MMR Hib Varicella* (chickenpox) HPV Meningococcal Hep A** Hep B Pneumococcal/PCV13 Flu (yearly) Rotavirus years * Your child will need a second dose at least three months after the first dose if younger than age 13. ** Your child will need a second dose six to 18 months after the first dose. 6 GOLDHealthNews

7 Safe at Home It s common to secure our homes from outside dangers. Most of us lock our doors, and many install alarm systems. But are we doing enough to make our homes safe from the many potential injuries that can lurk inside? HOW TO PREVENT: Poisoning Carbon monoxide: Install a batteryoperated carbon monoxide detector in your home near the bedrooms. Replace the battery twice a year. Have your gas or coal-burning appliances serviced every year. Never use a generator indoors. Don t use a gas oven for heating your home. Lead: Have a certified professional test your home to identify sources of lead. Keep your home clean and dustfree. Wash children s hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often. Inspect painted surfaces to check for paint deterioration. Address water damage quickly. Let the water run to flush the tap. Use cold water for food and drink preparation. Filter drinking water. Household products: Keep products in their original packaging. Store products (especially laundry detergent packets and button batteries ) out of reach of children. Clean out storage areas periodically and dispose of products as indicated. Wipe up spills immediately, and take out the trash daily to avoid the need for pesticides indoors. HOW TO PREVENT: Falls Remove clutter that might cause someone to trip. Arrange furniture so there is plenty of room to walk. Secure carpets to the floor with nonslip backing. Wipe up spills right away. Apply nonslip adhesive strips to stairs. Use nonskid mats in the bathtub and shower. Install grab bars in the bathroom and railings on staircases. Ensure every room and hallway has enough lighting. Place night lights in hallways, the kitchen and bathrooms. Keep often-used items in accessible locations. Never use a chair as a step stool. HOW TO PREVENT: Choking Children: Put infants to sleep in a crib, not with parents in bed. Leave blankets and stuffed animals out of cribs. Keep small objects out of reach. Cut food into small pieces. Don t give kids hard candy. Supervise young children while eating and playing. Adults: Chew food slowly, and don t talk while eating. Avoid drinking too much alcohol. HOW TO PREVENT: Burns Don t hold a child while you re cooking on the stove. Turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove, or use the back burners. Keep hot foods away from counter edges. Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Keep matches, gasoline and lighters out of children s reach. Avoid using novelty lighters that kids may think are toys. Check Your Risk of Falls Falling is frightening, and it can cause serious injuries. Are you likely to fall? These factors increase your risk: History of falling Sleep disturbance Leg weakness Balance problems Vision impairment Fear of falling Conditions such as Parkinson s disease, stroke, arthritis, osteoporosis and incontinence Taking four or more medications 7

8 Sizzlin Fish Stew Serves 4 It s All in the Name If you want your family to eat more vegetables, you might only need a thesaurus. Recent research from Stanford University found that when vegetable dishes are described using exciting words, people gravitate toward them more often. To discover what type of language works best, researchers served dishes in a university cafeteria over several days. Each day, the dishes were prepared identically but labeled in four different ways. For example: Basic: Beets Healthy but restrictive: Lighter-choice beets with no added sugar Healthy and positive: High-antioxidant beets Indulgent: Dynamite chili and tangy lime-seasoned beets INGREDIENTS 1 t ablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced 2 stalks celery, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 can (28 ounces) no-salt-added crushed tomatoes 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth 1 cod filet (6 ounces), cut into 1-inch chunks 8 ounces medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped ½ teaspoon salt (optional) ½ teaspoon ground black pepper DIRECTIONS 1. Add olive oil to a soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, basil and oregano. Sauté until onions begin to turn clear. 2. Add crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are soft. 3. Gently stir in cod and shrimp and cook for 5 minutes or until seafood is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper. NUTRITION FACTS (SERVING SIZE: 1½ CUPS) Calories: 215; carbohydrates: 19 g; protein: 20 g; fat: 5 g; saturated fat: 0.8 g; sugar: 11 g; dietary fiber: 6 g; cholesterol: 95 mg; sodium: 475 mg; potassium: 990 mg Source: American Diabetes Association Unsurprisingly, the indulgent labels garnered the most interest from diners and led to a 23 percent increase in the amount of vegetables consumed, compared with basic labeling. So harness the power of words at your next meal by including indulgent words in your meal descriptions. Start by serving the Sizzlin Fish Stew. Then, adjust your favorite recipes to incorporate more indulgent words in their names. Here are a few to get you started: hearty, smoky, crispy, sweet, dynamite, tangy, citrus-glazed and peppery. Published by Manifest LLC All rights reserved. No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement not take the place of the recommendations of your health care provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen. Manifest makes no endorsements or warranties regarding any of the products and services included in this publication or its articles. The covered entity does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its health programs and activities. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al , TTY:711. 注意 如果您使用繁體中文 您可以免費獲 得語言援助服務 請致電 ,TTY:711.