Preventing Cervical Cancer and HPV MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE WINTER 2013/2014. IN THIS ISSUE uu. D.C. Healthy Families/ D.C. Healthcare Alliance

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1 MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE WINTER 2013/2014 D.C. Healthy Families/ D.C. Healthcare Alliance IN THIS ISSUE uu Think Before You Drink...2 Member Rights and Responsibilities...2 You, Your Child and Alcohol...3 Snacks with Santa...3 Preventing Cervical Cancer and HPV Women can protect themselves from cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV). Many people currently have HPV, the most common sexually transmitted disease. What do you need to know? Regular check-ups and screenings, called Pap tests, can help prevent cervical cancer. (continued on page 4) Medical Director Column: The Flu Shot...4 February: Dental Health Month...5 Stress and Tips for Self-Care...6 Nurse Advice Line...7 Just for Kids: Clean Hands Maze...8 1

2 WINTER 2013/2014 Member Rights and Responsibilities Policy has Been Updated. If You Think You Are Pregnant, Think Before You Drink You should stop drinking if you are: Pregnant Thinking about becoming pregnant Having sex without using birth control MedStar Family Choice continues to improve the services provided to all members. We have updated the member rights and responsibilities to include changes to the following information. MedStar Family Choice members have the right to: Be treated with respect and dignity, no matter their race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, religion, gender, political beliefs, personal appearance, physical or mental disability, or type of illness or condition. Have access to care no matter their race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, religion, gender, political beliefs, personal appearance, physical or mental disability, or type of illness or condition. Drinking alcohol while pregnant can hurt a baby s brain, heart or other organs. These problems can last a lifetime. MedStar Family Choice and ValueOptions are at work to help stop drinking during pregnancy. We can help if: You think that you or a loved one needs to stop drinking. You would like to learn more about the problems with drinking alcohol while pregnant. Call any time of day or night to talk about what help is available. 2

3 MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE You, Your 12-Year-Old Child and Alcohol Snacks with Santa MedStar Family Choice sponsored Snacks with Santa at the Boys and Girls Club in Ward 7. The event was filled with activities, dancing, food, music, and Santa Claus and his reindeer to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Alcohol is the #1 drug used by teens. Eight out of 100 eighth graders have said that they binged on alcohol in the last two weeks. There are many safety issues linked to drinking. Many studies also link brain damage to drinking. The earlier a child starts to drink, the more serious the drinking problem can become. You should start talking to your child about the dangers of alcohol by age 12. If you see many of these signs and symptoms all at once, your child might have a drinking problem: Mood changes: bad temper, arguing, being defensive School problems: not going, low grades, always getting in trouble Breaking family rules Switching friends and not wanting you meet their new friends A nothing matters attitude: looks sloppy, stops doing things he or she used to enjoy, low energy overall Finding alcohol in your child s room or backpack, smelling alcohol on his/her breath Physical or mental problems: memory or concentration issues, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, slurred speech Call ValueOptions at to learn how to talk to your child about alcohol. You can also ask for a free copy of the booklet, Make a Difference: Talk to your Child about Alcohol. Visit ValueOptions.com for more information. 3

4 MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE (continued from page 1) HPV Prevention Getting the HPV shot can help keep you from getting the disease. What can you do to make a change? Get your well-woman check-up this year. Tell a friend and family member about cervical cancer screenings. Check with your doctor to make sure that you get the HPV shot. Have you scheduled your Pap test today? Don t miss out on a $25 gift card! Please call our preventative and care coordinator toll free at The Flu Shot Medical Director Column It s that time of the year again; the flu season is in full force, and it is time to get immunized. Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and, at times, can lead to death. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: Fever/Chills Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Muscle or body aches Headaches Fatigue (tiredness) Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children) Some people, such as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious illness if they get the flu. Some of the risks can be: Pneumonia Bronchitis Sinus infections Ear infections Death The best way to prevent the flu is to get a shot each year. You should visit your provider to get vaccinated. It comes in several forms, such as a shot and nasal spray. The nasal spray is limited to healthy people ages two through 49. If you get the flu, you should stay home to avoid spreading the disease. People can spread the flu to others from one day before they feel sick and usually up to one week after. Children might carry the germ longer. Always make sure you wash your hands constantly or use hand sanitizers. 4

5 WINTER 2013/2014 February is Dental Health Month. First Dental Visit by Age One Your child should have his/her first dental visit within six months of getting his/her first tooth or by age one, whichever comes first. This first visit allows the dentist to check your child for cavities or other problems that can affect his/her health. It is also an opportunity for your child to begin to get familiar with the dental office. Once teeth show, you should clean them with a soft-bristled toothbrush (without toothpaste) after meals and at bedtime. It is good to wean your child from a bottle between nine and 12 months of age. First visit: The dentist or office staff will ask about your child s overall health. Then, they will do a dental exam. Next, they will give you directions on how to take care of your child s teeth. They will also talk about normal tooth growth. Remember, good oral heath begins at birth! Helpful Tips for Good Oral Health From Birth Even before your baby s teeth show, you should clean the gums with a damp cloth after meals and at bedtime. Your doctor or dentist can teach you how to clean your baby s gums and teeth. Helpful Sleeping Tips for Baby Do not put your baby to sleep with a bottle. Try one of these instead: Offer a blanket or favorite toy. Give your baby a warm bath. Rock your baby to sleep. As a last resort, allow WATER ONLY in the bottle. It may take about three to seven nights of your child crying to break the bedtime bottle habit. If you need help finding a dentist, visit DentaQuest.com or call Member Services at You may also visit the website for more information on dental health topics. 5

6 WINTER 2013/2014 Stress and Tips for Self-Care Need Assistance with Your Diabetes? Personal Case Manager Available We can help with medication, glucometer (blood sugar monitor), supplies, and nutritional information. Call , press 2 and ask to speak with a diabetes case manager. The best ways to manage stress in hard times are through self-care: Avoid drugs and alcohol. Find support. Connect with friends. Take care of yourself. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Exercise regularly. Get plenty of sleep. Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out. Do something you enjoy. Try to maintain a normal routine. 6

7 MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE Here When You Need Us: 24/7 Nurse Advice Line At MedStar Family Choice, we know a health problem can happen when you least expect it. Our nurse advice line is here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just pick up the phone and call. If you have an illness, injury or just a question about your health, our nurse advice line can help you get the care you need whenever you need it. Call any time. 24/7 NURSE LINE This program is funded in part by the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance. Join Our Consumer Advisory Board Help us: Improve the quality of your health care. Understand and resolve member questions and issues. Make a difference in our members health care. Refreshments are provided. Transportation is provided, if needed. To find out more, call our Community Relations staff at

8 WINTER 2013/2014 MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE Clean Hands Help the boy get through the maze so he can wash his hands. Wash your hands to help fight germs. Wash them before you eat and after using the bathroom. The MedStar Family Choice member newsletter is a publication of MedStar Family Choice. Submit new items for the next issue to theresa.hudnall@medstar.net. 901 D St., SW, Suite 1050 Washington, DC PHONE MedStarFamilyChoice.com Kenneth Samet MedStar CEO Theresa Hudnall Editor Eric Wagner President Waldemar Rosario, MD Medical Director 14-MFC