Spring into Good Health & Wellness
Make this month a time for healthy food choices and developing better eating habits.
Spring is a season that embodies fresh beginnings and growth, making it an ideal time to focus on rejuvenating both our physical and mental well-being. Here’s how you can draw inspiration from the season to reboot your health and wellness habits:
Schedule your annual exam (FREE): No matter your age or stage of life, annual physical exams are essential to your ongoing health. Visiting your primary care provider (PCP) for regular preventive care is one of the best ways to identify and treat health issues before they worsen. For more information and for detailed instructions on finding an in-network provider, visit our benefit app’s medical page.
Get a dental exam twice each year (FREE): In addition to complications for your teeth and gums, research has linked dental issues like periodontal disease to other health problems including heart complications, strokes, diabetes complications and respiratory issues. Make sure to get your bi-annual dental cleanings as part of your preventive care! Learn more and find an in-network provider on our benefit app’s dental page.
Get a vision exam every year ($10 copay): A comprehensive dilated eye exam by an eye doctor is necessary to find eye diseases in the early stages when treatment to prevent vision loss is most effective. It’s important to have a vision screening every year, especially if you rely on vision correction. Learn more and find an in-network provider on our benefit app’s vision page.
Keep Spring Allergies at Bay!
With spring being such a beautiful time of year, it seems unfair that allergy sufferers are often feeling at their worst with their condition when everything is in bloom. Here are a few tips so that you can better enjoy the spring season:
- Avoid being outdoors on windy days, especially mid-morning to mid-afternoon, when pollen counts are often highest.
- Wash your bedding every week in hot water to help keep pollen under control.
- Wash your hair before going to bed, since pollen can accumulate in your hair.
- If your allergies are so severe that they’re impacting your day-to-day living, remember you can use telehealth to visit with a doctor virtually. To learn more, visit cityofgrandforks.mybenefitsapp.com/telehealth/.
Additional Topics to Consider Researching
April is Autism Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising greater awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), promoting understanding and acceptance, and celebrating the unique strengths and abilities of children on the spectrum.
Every April, communities worldwide come together to celebrate Autism Awareness Month, promoting understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder. This observance has evolved significantly since its inception, marking several important milestones along the way.
Autism Awareness Month helps educate the public about ASD. By learning about the differences and challenges faced by children with ASD, we can foster greater empathy and acceptance.
It raises awareness about the crucial need for early intervention and access to effective therapies, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy.
Source: Autism Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month Guide
Autism Acceptance Month celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of Autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance.
Throughout Autism Acceptance Month, the Autism Society will engage the Autism community through awareness events, educational resources, and advocacy initiatives that uplift Autistic voices and create pathways for neurodiversity inclusion.
April is known as National Distracted Driving Month. This is a time to help shed light on the growing problem of distracted drivers on the roads.
Watch this video here: April brings awareness to National Distracted Driving Month
Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on our roads. Cell phone use — specifically, texting, talking, and social media use — has become the most common distraction. Other risky actions include adjusting the radio or GPS, applying makeup, eating and drinking. By driving distracted, you’re robbing yourself of seconds that you may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash.
In 2022, distracted driving killed 3,308 people. April, which is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, is a good time to regroup and take responsibility for the choices we make when we’re on the road. Follow these safety tips for a safe ride:
- Need to send a text? Pull over and park your car in a safe location.
- Designate your passenger as your “designated texter” to respond to calls or messages.
- Do not scroll through apps while driving. Struggling not to text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination.
During a portion of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, from April 10 through 14, you may see increased law enforcement on the roadways as part of the national paid media campaign Put the Phone Away or Pay. This campaign reminds drivers of the deadly dangers and the legal consequences – including fines – of texting behind the wheel.
Source: April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month | NHTSA
This April, celebrate National Minority Health Month (NMHM) by being the source of better health. NMHM is a time to raise awareness of the importance of improving the health of people in racial and ethnic minority communities. The 2024 theme focuses on understanding how our cultures, communities, and connections impact our overall health. Learn more about social determinants of health (SDOH) and take action within your communities to Be the Source for Better Health!
CDC’s Office of Health Equity (OHE) launched a webinar series featuring topics that address emerging public health issues, health equity research, communication, and training. This series showcases the power of partnerships to help reduce health disparities and advance health equity.
Source: Be the Source of Better Health: National Minority Health Month | Minority Health | CDC
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.
Racial and ethnic minority populations throughout the United States experience higher rates of death and disease across a wide range of health conditions when compared to their white counterparts.
Source: National Minority Health Month 2024 Take Action | HHS.gov
National Minority Health Month is here, bringing with it new programs, resources, and communications from the FDA’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE). You probably have a lot of questions about its history, why and how we observe it, and how you can do your part to make a difference this April.
The goal of National Minority Health Month is to help “promote and protect the health of diverse populations through research and communication of science that addresses health disparities.”
Source: What Is National Minority Health Month? – Black Health Matters