Simple Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol
Submitted by Visitor on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 01:06When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in your blood, it can build up in the walls of your
arteries. The arteries become narrowed or even blocked. When the oxygen-carrying blood can no longer get to
your heart, you will experience pain and very likely a heart attack. But there is good news: You can usually lower your high
cholesterol by making some significant but relatively simple changes. l If you smoke, stop now. l Eat foods low in cholesterol and saturated fat and free of trans fats. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that you get no more than 7% of your calories from
saturated fat, and eat no more than 200 mg of dietary cholesterol each day. Your body produces all the
Work Health Programs Benefit Bottom Line
Submitted by Visitor on Sat, 05/02/2009 - 19:29According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Health Research Institute, healthcare costs are expected to increase nearly 10% in 2009 for employers. To help control those costs, most employers plan to depend on wellness programs and health plans that personalize member experiences.
Work health promotion programs can positively affect employee health and productivity. A review of 46 studies evaluating the effects of work health promotion programs found that that worksite wellness programs resulted in a 22% reduction in sick leave. In addition, the worksite wellness programs resulted in reduced emotional exhaustion and “burnout,” improved overall mental health, and reduced absences.
Changes coming in mental health benefits
This summer, employers will have an option to not offer mental health benefits as part of their overall health benefit package. Ask about North Idaho Health Network’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP.)
Each year, one out of every five Americans suffers from some form of emotional or mental condition. Depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and stress-related conditions, just to name a few, touch nearly every family. And although these conditions can feel devastating, the good news is they are very treatable with professional help.
Employees are a company’s most valuable asset
Much of employee costs, both direct (medical claims) and indirect (absenteeism, lower productivity), are due to preventable factors. Lifestyle choices are responsible for 75 percent of the entire burden of illness and its associated costs in the United States.
Important information about health care costs and the choices we have in our community
Have you heard the expression “it is always about the money?” Well, quite often it is about the money and year in and year out, the cost of health care has outpaced all other costs, even labor costs. And in health care, it is about the money as well, and also the quality and the access to health care. The North Idaho Health Network was created 15 years ago to provide our communities with affordable, high quality health care provided by the best selection of quality providers.
