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 Join us for a Wellness Webinar:
Value of an Annual Exam
Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 1:00 pm
Everyone’s health is important, and our health needs change depending on our age, gender, and stage of life. Open communication with your provider gives you the opportunity to take charge of your health, share any symptoms you may have, and get the care you deserve. Please join Dr. Aasha Trowbridge, MD, as she reviews guidelines for preventive screenings and discusses general recommendations for each age group.
Live sessions are limited to the first 2,000 attendees. All others can view the recording 6 hours after the live event.
Members that attend the live session or view the recording within 7 days of the original broadcast, will receive 1 HealthQuest Credit for attendance. Credits take 7-10 business days to be reflected in your HealthQuest Portal post completion.
No registration required! Simply follow the instructions on how to access this webinar directly on the HealthQuest Portal under Wellness Learning Events.
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- You can earn 5 HealthQuest credits by getting an annual physical/well-person exam!
- Visit your primary care doctor or the HealthQuest Health Center for your physical/well-person exam.
- It is summertime and the sun is shining bright! Now is the perfect time to earn 5 HealthQuest credits by getting a skin cancer screening!
- Skin cancer screenings can be done at your dermatologist's office, your primary care provider's office, or the HealthQuest Health Center.
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2024: Condition Management Programs
Earn 5 HealthQuest Credits for Completion
As part of the HealthQuest program, you have access to four condition management programs. Each 8-week program is confidential and conducted by Marathon Health medical professionals. The summer weight management program is still going strong through the month of July!
You may only participate in one program at a time, but don't worry! Upon completion of the program including watching all the videos in their entirety, submission of the pre-survey (completed during your registration process) and submission of the post-survey, members will receive Five (5) HealthQuest Credits.
Note: You can only participate in each program once throughout the calendar year (i.e. you cannot complete the same program twice).
Weight Management
June 24 - August 16, 2024
- This program offers a supportive, judgement free environment where we’ll focus on understanding the psychology behind decisions and the impact that lifestyle and behavior choices have on our health, focusing on weight..
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July 10 - EAP Webinar: Becoming a Better Listener, Register Here
July 18 - Wellness Webinar: Value of an Annual Exam. Access the webinar directly in the HealthQuest Portal under Wellness Learning Events.
August 7 - EAP Webinar: How to Receive Criticism and Make it Work for You, Register Here
August 15 - Wellness Webinar: Mental Fitness. Access the webinar directly in the HealthQuest Portal under Wellness Learning Events.
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Should you need accommodations for any webinar, please email SEHPHealthQuest@ks.gov two (2) business days in advance.
 by Valerie Porter, HealthQuest Health Coach
Monthly recipes are provided by Valerie Porter, RN, HealthQuest Health Coach. Health Coaching appointments are available to all benefits-eligible employees, and their SEHP-covered spouses, free of charge. To schedule an appointment with Valerie or another health coach, call (785) 783-4080.
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Veggie & Hummus Sandwich |
Ingredients:
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2 slices whole-grain bread
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3 tablespoons hummus
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¼ avocado, mashed
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½ cup mixed salad greens
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¼ medium red bell pepper, sliced
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¼ cup sliced cucumber
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¼ cup shredded carrot
Directions:
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Spread 1 slice of bread with hummus and the other with avocado. Fill the sandwich with greens, bell pepper, cucumber and carrot. Slice in half and serve.
Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, August 2017; updated October 2022
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It’s summertime, and you know what that means! The days are longer, there’s more outdoor fun to be had, and that means remembering sunscreen, hats, bug spray, and drinking plenty of water!
Skin cancer is a very common form of cancer in the United States, with more than one million cases reported every year. That means about 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Protect yourself by choosing the right sunscreen to avoid getting sunburnt. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends finding a sunscreen with Broad Spectrum protection, SPF 30 or higher, and generously apply and reapply every 2 hours, or even more often if you are in and out of the water or heavily sweating. Remember, sunscreen alone cannot fully protect you, so try to seek shade, wear sun protective clothing, and stay hydrated to stay sun-safe!
The sun’s rays are strongest between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, so plan accordingly. You can check the UV index through your weather app or by going to the EPA’s website (www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html).
As far as sunburns go, according to the University of Kansas Health System, it takes about 1 week for a sunburn to fully heal. Within the first 2 days of getting sunburnt, the healing process can be quite painful. The best thing to do is to keep the skin cool by applying moisturizer, ideally containing aloe vera or soy. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen to help reduce inflammation of the skin. If you tend to peel when you get sunburnt, it’s important to let the skin peel on its own, so try your best not to peel the skin yourself! Lastly, drink plenty of water and hydrating fluids to help speed up the healing process. Remember, ALL skin complexions can get sunburnt. You may also want to check with your doctor about any medications or chronic conditions that make you more susceptible to sunburns (i.e., taking antibiotics, retinoids, St. John’s wort, autoimmune diseases or dermatologic diseases). Frequent sunburn can increase your risk of skin cancer, so take steps to protect yourself every time you are spending time outside.
Get in the habit of thinking ahead to protect your health during the summer with these tips:
- Generously apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outside
- Use sunscreen with at least 15 SPF and both UVA and UVB protection (sometimes called broad spectrum)
- Reapply every 2 hours, after swimming, or after sweating, even if the sun is hiding behind the clouds
- Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your feet, ears, and scalp!
- Try out protective clothing, like sun shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses whenever possible
- For bug protection, you may choose to use insect repellent and stay indoors during high-insect times like dusk and dawn
- Use soapy water, anti-itch cream, or witch hazel to treat bites that are very itchy
- Pack your go-to sunscreen, a reusable water bottle (insulated will keep your water cold!), a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray in a bag and keep it by your front door
 Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate!
Hydrating with water is important all year round but is particularly important in the summer to prevent dehydration and heat-related syndromes like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
We recommend keeping yourself cool and hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding prolonged sun exposure, and letting your body acclimate to hot environments. Remember, as a golden rule, by the time you feel thirsty, your body is already behind on fluids. Drinking before you get thirsty, especially outdoors in the summer, is the best way to stay ahead of the game! Also, the darker your urine is (dark yellow to true yellow), the more dehydrated you are. The lighter your urine is, the more hydrated you are – aim for a light-yellow color instead of clear. It can be dangerous to drink water too quickly, so avoid drinking more than 48 ounces per hour to keep your body’s sodium levels in a healthy range!
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Each person's path to well-being is unique and personal. Need an accessible alternative for an activity? To learn more email SEHPHealthQuest@ks.gov. |
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