ESHCA recently reviewed 2023 prescription spend with MVP. Data analysis ensures the health plan meets the needs of the members and guides "Coaching" through the Wellness Program. Findings demonstrate:

1) Type 2 Diabetes is living up to the hype!

• 10% of the adult US population is diagnosed with diabetes
• 38% are prediabetic.
• Projected: 33% of US adults will be diagnosed with diabetes by 2050!

Review: Effects on ESHCA: (accounts for 22% of RX spend)

2) Age is a chronic disease risk factor.

• "Estimated Cases of Diabetes" demonstrate how significant age is in relation to the onset of diabetes (CDC).
• Unhealthy habits (i.e. Standard American Diet) accumulate over time.

3) Increasing annual physical usage in 18–39 year old age group will lower the incidence of chronic diseases including diabetes.

• Only 15% of ESHCA members (18-39 yrs) and their member-spouse had an annual physical in 2023.



• Prediabetes progresses to diabetes, knowing one is prediabetic improves the chances of preventing diabetes.

How do you motivate one to use their Annual Physical? Health Professionals search for angles that will "resonate" and bring about healthy change.

• Unfortunately, the message often comes across as "preachy", attacking something we enjoy or something we don't want to do.

• Example: quit smoking, stop drinking alcohol, go to the gym

In my early 40's, a casual acquaintance suddenly passed away from a heart event. We were roughly the same age, and he appeared to be in perfect health. That event "resonated" with me and was the catalyst I needed to use my annual physical and pursue healthier habits. (Read more)

Do you have questions or are you looking for a health coach? Contact Patrick (pflaherty@eshca.org)

$25 "Take Action" Challenge:

Know Your Numbers

Learning to "Know Your Numbers"?

• Blood sugar is a good place to start, it is a key indicator of health!
• Chronic diseases are linked to one another (60% of adults in the US have one chronic disease and 40% have more than 1 chronic disease).
• Did you know diabetes doubles the risk of heart disease and stroke?

1) Diabetes is not something one gets in a day, a week, a month, or a year. It is a progression from prediabetes to diabetes.

2) Prediabetes and Diabetes are "reversible" (do not confuse that with being cured), often blood sugar can be managed in a "normal" range with diet and exercise.

• Medications may be necessary, long-term high blood sugar can cause serious health issues (amputations, eye damage, kidney disease, nerve damage, and so on).

• High blood sugar cannot be addressed without understanding your numbers and making the effort to improve them (Annual Physical data).

3) High blood sugar is the result of the liver and the pancreas not functioning properly, in a society that eats large amounts of processed foods and limits movement, such health issues will flourish.

Tools: Diabetes Food List

Tips to Control Blood Sugar

Wellness Blueprint (Guide to Identify Healthy Variables)

(Hint: drink water, get 5+ servings of produce/day, exercise 5-30 minutes/day)

$25 "Take Action" Challenge...Learn "Know Your Numbers"

• 1) Download the "Essential 8" and the Worksheet.
• Review and record "ideal" information for the highlighted items. If you are unable to print, record on a separate sheet of paper or in an email, I will take it!

• 2) Complete the worksheet and send it in (last day to submit is 8/15).
• Email (attach a good cellphone picture), mail, or fax me (Patrick) a copy of the "Know Your Numbers: MD Biometric Form" verifying you completed the challenge.

• 3) Reminder: All members of the household are encouraged to participate, however, only one incentive can be issued to each member-household with the exception that more than one employee-member lives in a household. Each member-household is limited to 6 incentives per year, if you participate in more than 6 newsletter challenges your company will be given additional participation points toward the "Golden Boot" award, recognizing the ESHCA Wellness Company of the Year!