Cultural Differences with HPV Vaccines

Two new studies should help health care providers, such as Cinergy Health, to target their services to minority groups in a better way.  A recent study from UCLA and one from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, show that there are lower rates of HPV vaccination in low-income populations.  In addition, they show specific vaccine barriers in these communities that might help to increase vaccine uptake.

"We need interventions that help primary care teams to identify eligible patients and encourage the teen to receive all three doses. We need to take advantage of every opportunity where a teen comes into a clinic and offer all recommended adolescent vaccines," said Jasmin A. Tiro, Ph.D., assistant professor of clinical sciences at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

The UCLA study found that minority groups do receive the HPV vaccine as often as the national averages, but that they lack much of the knowledge that they could easily acquire about the vaccine.  The Dallas study found that, in low-income populations where the vaccine is certainly available, there is still a poor uptake of the three-dose vaccine and a lack of encouragement to get vaccinated by health care providers.

Prevent Obesity in 2010

With the New Year upon us, Cinergy Health weighs in on tips to keep us health.  Obesity is on the rise in America, and with it come increased health care costs.  Cinergy Health explains, Obesity causes multiple illnesses and skyrockets healthcare costs for both individuals and employers.

Here are five important suggestions for staying healthy in 2010.

1. Sleep!  Get 6-7 hours of sleep each night.

2. Eat Well – You should consume about 2000 calories a day from healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, diary and the like.

3. Drink water – Drink 8-10 cups of water a day to cleanse and detoxify your body.

4. Limit alcohol – This includes beer, wine and hard liquor.

5. Be Active – Try to walk for at least 20 minutes each day.  Take the stairs when you can, or park your car far from the mall entrance.

Know Your Rights at Work

Certainly, you'll do everything you can to avoid getting the flu this winter.  Should you become sick, however, it's important to know your employer's sick leave policy.  Cinergy Health offers these suggestions for staying healthy and protecting yourself this winter.

If you feel the flu coming on, don't go to work!  You may need to explain to your employer why you are taking off, and how important it is for you to make sure not to infect others. Cinergy Health points out that you are most contagious while feverish, and that you should remain at home for a full 24 hours after your fever has passed.

Make sure to review your office sick policies before you get sick.  Talk to your boss to ensure that you won't be penalized for staying home and make sure that your boss understands the best ways to ensure a healthy office.

New Senate Health Bill

Good news for the uninsured.  A new Senate health care bill would require nonprofit hospitals to charge patients who are uninsured no more than the lowest charge that they have for their insured patients.  Hospitals have come under a lot of scrutiny as of late for overcharging the uninsured.  These charges have ended up in lawsuits.

This bill tries to eliminate those issues.  A 2007 study in the journal Health Affairs suggested that hospitals were actually charging the uninsured 2.5 times what insured patients were paying.  Cinergy Health however, points out that "these fees are often negotiated, and can be negotiated way down."  Time will tell if the bill passes and if it makes a difference.

Tips for a Great Trip from Cinergy Health

If you’re hoping to hit the slopes this winter, Cinergy Health, offers great advice.  You’ll want to stay as healthy as you can before your trip, so that you can enjoy yourself.  Certainly, you’ll also want to stay healthy during the trip.  Here, Cinergy Health offers important tips for doing just that.

Remember to check your health insurance before your vacation begins.  You’ll want to confirm that you are covered in case of a medical emergency.  If your policy isn’t sufficient, look into getting additional travel health and accident coverage.

Continue eating healthy, even while you are on vacation.  Just because you are having fun doesn’t mean that you can’t treat your body well.  When you eat, do so slowly.  Skip the bread or share a piece with someone else.  Try not to waste too many calories on alcoholic or sweet drinks.  You can enjoy one drink, but don't go overboard.  Order a salad or a light soup as an appetizer and share dessert, if you feel that you must have something sweet.

Have a great trip!

Preparing for a Winter Trip

If you’re hoping to travel this winter, do so with these health tips.  Dr. Margaret Lewin, the medical director at Cinergy Health, wants to make sure that you stay healthy whether you’re on the slopes, in the sun, or somewhere in between.

Don’t go outside without a good sunscreen.  Sun exposure puts you at risk for skin cancers, and can also be a major cause of premature wrinkles.  If you’re out skiing, the combination of high altitudes and reflected light from the snow offers very damaging UVA and UVB rays.

If you’re planning to have an active trip, says the Cinergy Health medical director, make sure to get in shape beforehand.  Concentrate on exercises that protect your knees, hips and your balance and make sure that you’re ready for the adventures ahead!

Insurance Coverage After Job Loss

Certainly, losing a job makes things very difficult for many reasons.  One of the reasons that it is most stressful is the lack of health insurance. When you lose your job - you also lose your health coverage.  Cinergy Health President and Chief Marketing Officer, Steve Trattner, offers these specific suggestions for dealing with job and insurance loss.

Cinergy Health CMO Trattner recommends that you weigh deductibles against premiums. You might be able to find a new insurance plan with a high deductible and a very affordable premium. The problem with this is that it will provide coverage for large scale medical needs, but not for your routine healthcare issues.

You should look into your COBRA options as well.  It's possible that you can continue to have coverage from your old employer, at least for a bit of time. This can help you to reduce one item of stress while looking for a new job.

Insurance Issues with Job Loss

One of the biggest worries when you lose a job is that you are also losing your health insurance. What should you do if you suddenly find yourself without health coverage? Cinergy Health President and Chief Marketing Officer, Steve Trattner, offers these specific suggestions.

First, consider your short term needs. Short Term Medical plans are available which last for 6-12 months and cost less than major medical plans do. If you think you’ll need a short term solution between jobs, this might be a good option for you. You might also want to research into low-cost limited medical plans. These are plans which provide coverage for your immediate needs like routine doctor visits and short-term hospital says. They do so with no deductible

B.E.A.C.H.T.I.M.E – Winter Vacation Advice from Cinergy Health

If you’re planning to travel this winter to get away from the cold weather, take these important tips along on your trip. Cinergy Health, offers a cute acrostic, B.E.A.C.H.T.I.M.E, to keep you healthy and safe this winter.

Be sure to use sunscreen on your travels and Eat healthy to keep your immune system running well. Always wash your hands before you eat and before touching your face. You get the flu or a cold directly from an ill person’s cough or by touching a doorknob or banister that they have touched after they’ve coughed into their hand. Check the weather reports before you go so that you’ll have appropriate clothing. Have your medications with you in a carry-on so that you don’t risk vacationing without your important supplies.

Cinergy Health notes that you take a list of medications you use with you so that you’ll have it, should you need something refilled or lose something. Inspect your health plan before you leave so that you know you’re covered should you need anything. Make sure to get your flu shot at least two weeks before your travels so that your body has time to recover and to keep you healthy. Finally, Expect delays and don’t get stressed out by them!