"Blueprint to Wellness 2024"
ESHCA Wellness Newsletter
February 2024
The shareable link (printable) for this issue:
For complete member services visit us at: www.eshca.org
National Heart Month

Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in the US (695,547 deaths in 2021).

  • What can be done to lower you risk?

  • Assess and Take Action:
  • Estimated 80% of chronic disease can be prevented or managed through attention to lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, and tobacco cessation).
Risk factors include:

  • 1) Assess with your PCP at your Annual Physical:

  • Age (men 45+ / women 55+)
  • High Cholesterol
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • BMI higher than 25
  • Previous Heart Attack (silent)
  • Family History

  • The MD Biometric Form is a self-assessment tool (click on image).
  • a) "Know Your Numbers" is a vital step in understanding your health.
  • b) Lifestyle changes are data based ("take action" challenges are offered each month).
  • c) Collecting the information from your doctor and recording it yourself improves your connection to "health numbers" (use the form provided and keep for your records).

  • 2) Lifestyle risks are a call to "Take Action".

  • Sedentary Lifestyle
  • Unhealthy Diet
  • Tobacco usage
Other considerations:
Sleep Habits and Oral Hygiene
1) Sleep

  • Poor sleep routines increase the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease.
  • 1 in 3 adults do not get the recommended 7-9 hours.

  • Those with sleep disorders are more likely to have:
  • Hypertension
  • Cardiac Arrythmia
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
2) Oral Hygiene

  • In addition to the Annual Physical, it is recommended one participate in their annual dental checkups (cleanings).
  • ESHCA Dental Coverage
  • Routine dental checkups (cleanings) 2x per year paid at 100% of the allowable rate.
  • There is no "network", any licensed dentist can be used.
  • Use your MVP Member Card (subscriber ID number)
Click picture to enlarge:
Take Action:
"Strive for 5"

The RDA for produce is 5 servings per day, only 10% of Americans meet that standard!
On average 57% of calories come from ultra-processed foods which are loaded with sugar, sodium, fat, and chemicals. Is the formula that simple, would the overall health of the country change for the better by simply substituting 50% of processed foods with 5 servings of fruits and vegetables?

  • 1) Record your daily intake on the "Strive for 5" Log. Once you have recorded 5 days return the log to me via email (attach a good cellphone picture), mail, or fax. If you are unable to print, make your own log, I will take it!

  • 2) Challenge ends on March 15th (the last day I can take logs).

  • 3) Objective: make eating an abundance of fruits and vegetables a healthy habit. Replacing some of the processed foods (breads, cereals, pasta, etc.) will magnify your results! Examples: Salad - chicken; salmon - sweet potato - broccoli; eggs - potato - spinach.

Challenge notes:
  • 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!

Get your crew (or office) involved!!!
  • Take the lead, be a "Wellness Champion". Encourage the members of your crew to participate in newsletter challenges, have a group discussion and complete the challenge as a team. Complete the challenge, fill out one worksheet, put everyone's name on it, and send it in!!!