CARE Program Newsletter - July 2015

Visit myuhc.com and click on Register Now (found on the left side of screen). Once registered on myuhc.com, click on Rally Health Survey found on the right side of screen.

It is fun and interactive! Earn Rally coins for taking the survey and use them to win awesome stuff, such as gift cards and an iPod.

The sweepstakes is offered by United Healthcare. Get started now to get a measure of your overall health!

Employees completing the RALLY Health Survey

Why Should I Know My Fitness That Works Personality Profile?

It would be wonderful if there was one exercise program that worked for everyone, but since we all have different goals, interests and personalities, it takes some “trial and error” to make fitness work. Based upon your quiz results, if you scored higher in a designated area than another, you can speed up the process by learning more about your fitness personality and selecting from the proven tips listed under your personality profile.

(Note: Even though your main strengths/skills/interests may be focused in one area, everyone is different and not all profiles will be a perfect match all the time.)

Stay safe and healthy when you light up the barbecue grill.

Barbecues are a favorite summer activity for many of us. But warm weather and unsafe cooking techniques can lead to food-borne illnesses. These illnesses are caused by E. coli, salmonella and other bacteria that thrive in warm weather. They can be found in raw and undercooked meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products. Bacteria can even be found in fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. To keep your summer cookouts healthy and safe, remember these four guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill.

Clean. Wash hands and surfaces often

Bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses can survive in many places, including your hands, utensils and cutting boards, kitchens and grills. To prevent this, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm, soapy water, both before and after handling food. Also, wash all utensils, surfaces and cutting boards using hot soapy water immediately after using them. Rinse fruits and vegetables with cold water.

Separate to avoid cross-contamination

Begin with your shopping trip. Keep raw, cooked and ready-to-eat foods separate while shopping, preparing, grilling and storing to avoid spreading bacteria. Never place cooked foods on a plate, surface or cutting board that has held raw meat or poultry. Use separate cutting boards and utensils during preparation for meat, poultry, seafood and eggs, and fruits and vegetables.

Cook foods to the proper temperature

Even though a burger might look brown on the outside, it may not be cooked completely on the inside. Keep a cooking thermometer handy while grilling and check the internal temperature before taking your meat, fish and poultry off the grill. USDA guidelines recommend you cook and grill to the following internal temperatures:

• 145 degrees Fahrenheit for fish, beef, pork, veal and lamb steaks, roasts and chops
• 160 degrees for ground beef and egg dishes
• 165 degrees for turkey, chicken and other poultry

Even pre-cooked foods like hot dogs should be heated until steaming hot or to 165 degrees. After you take your food off the grill, use a clean platter. Also keep grilled food at 140 degrees or above in a warm oven or slow cooker. The possibility of bacterial growth actually increases as food cools after grilling. If you partially cook or grill your meat or poultry to quicken the grill time, put them immediately on the grill. Don’t set them aside to finish cooking later.

Chill

Refrigerate or freeze cooked and prepared foods and leftovers promptly. That means within two hours or one hour if the temperature is 90 degrees or higher. Never thaw or marinate food by leaving it on your kitchen counter. When taking cooked food to a barbecue, place it in a cooler kept at 40 degrees or cooler. (UHC 2015)

Q: How long do health coaching appointments take?

A: The first appointment is in person and lasts 45-60 minutes. Any follow up appointments can be done in person or over the phone and usually last 10-30 mins.

Q: Where does the appointment take place?

A: We recommend that the first Health Coaching appointment takes place at your Travis County worksite. Becky will be able to travel to your location. Follow up visits can be done over the phone or in person.

Please note: Break rooms, cubicles, lobby's, etc. are not appropriate locations for health coaching appointments. Privacy is important as you will be discussing personal health information. Please reserve a private room prior to the appointment. If you would prefer to meet away from your specific location, you can request to meet with Becky at 700 Lavaca.

Q: How soon can I make an appointment?

A: Depending on the time of year, Becky schedules appointments out from 1-3 weeks depending on her availability and your location.

Q: How many times and how often do I or should I meet with the Health Coach?

A: The amount of visits will vary based on your specific health goals. There is no set "limit" of visits; your number of visits will be determined by your progress. The time between appointments will also be determined according to individual needs and progress.

Q: How much does health coaching cost?

A: Health Coaching appointments are free of charge, with no co-pay. It is a service that is included in your benefits offered by UnitedHealthcare and Travis County full time employees who are enrolled in the UnitedHealthcare medical plan.

Q: Who is eligible for Health Coaching?

A: Anyone who has UnitedHealthcare benefits with Travis County is eligible. IE: Employees, spouses, retirees, dependents (over 18 years of age.

Q: When are appointments available?

A: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Special exceptions can be made for those that work special shifts.

Q: What can Becky help me with?

A: Becky is able to assist with making improvements to their overall health and wellness, and provide resources and recommendations based on your needs. She can work with you on setting and achieving nutritional, health, and fitness goals. In certain cases she may also refer you to your primary care doctor, employee assistance program, registered dietician or onsite nurse.

Q: How do I set up an appointment?

A: Please contact Becky at [email protected] or 512.542.4346.

About Becky Howell

Becky Howell has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science from the Arizona State University. She has over 25 years of experience in the health and fitness industry and was most recently the health and fitness Program Manager for Freescale in Austin. She is excited about her new Health Coaching role with Travis County and is passionate about helping others reach their health and fitness goals through progressive, realistic and lifelong lifestyle choices.

How can a Health Coach help me?

Becky is available to meet with you to discuss any lifestyle behaviors you may want to improve such as weight loss, nutrition counseling, and disease prevention. Your Health Coach will help you create and achieve personal health goals.

Will my personal information that I share with my Health Coach be protected?

Yes, all of your personal health information will be protected in accordance with HIPAA. None of your personal information will be shared with your employer.

What other services does my Health Coach offer?

Your onsite Health Coach will plan and implement worksite wellness events and activities such as:

• Increase understanding of modifiable health risks
• Coach employees to develop personal health behavior goals
• Teach employees how to navigate UnitedHealthcare myuhc.com wellness tools and resources
• Refer employees to appropriate wellness programs and services
• Plan, design, implement and evaluate workplace wellness programs
• Provide noninvasive health screenings and health education
• Overall, your Health Coach will inspire and motivate you to achieve optimal health and wellbeing.

Sunburn doesn't just cause pain and redness. It can also cause long-term effects. Learn the risks and find out how to protect yourself. Between the beach, the pool, and the weekend cookouts, you may be having too much fun to worry about sunburn - until that telltale stinging and redness set in. Sunburn isn't just painful - it's also bad for your health.

The dangers of sunburn

• The sun's rays contain two types of ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet A (UVA) causes tanning, aging skin, and wrinkles. Ultraviolet B (UVB) causes sunburn. Both can cause skin cancer. You can burn on sunny days, cloudy days, and cold days. The white sand on the beach and the white snow of winter both reflect the sun's rays. You can burn whether you're skiing on water or snow.
• Signs of sunburn are redness and pain. You may also have swelling and blistering. A bad sunburn can lead to heatstroke and dehydration.

Long-term effects

• Every time you tan or burn, DNA damage builds up in the deeper levels of your skin. Having 5 or more burns over a lifetime doubles your chances of getting skin cancer.
• Other side effects of tanning and burning include premature wrinkles and age (pigment) spots. Over time, the sun can age your skin, making it tough and leathery.
• Remember that your eyes can be affected, too. Too much sun can burn your corneas and lead to various eye diseases, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. These can cause vision loss.

The truth about sunscreen

• Wearing sunscreen doesn't always keep you from burning. No sunscreen can completely protect you from UV rays.
• A sunscreen labeled "waterproof" or "water resistant" will not protect you all day. When you swim or sweat, reapply your sunscreen.

The UV index

Your local news may broadcast daily UV index reports. The higher the index, the less time it will take to burn. Here is your risk for overexposure to the damaging UV rays. The number indicates the daily UV index, followed by the degree of risk. The higher the index on a given day, the greater the need to protect yourself.

• 0-2: low
• 3-5: moderate
• 6-8: high
• 8-10: very high
• 11+: extreme

Preventing sunburn- Follow these prevention tips:

• Use only water-resistant or waterproof sunscreen. It should protect against both UVA and UVB rays and have a SPF of at least 15. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.
• Wear protective clothing when possible. Always include a hat and sunglasses.
• Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when UV rays are strongest. If your shadow is shorter than you are, get out of the sun.
• Keep children in the shade and in protective clothing. Follow the same sunscreen rules for them that you would for yourself. Don't use sunscreen on children younger than 6 months old. They should be kept out of the sun. If a child under age 1 gets sunburn, call your pediatrician right away. Also seek emergency care if a child of any age has a sunburn with fever, blistering, severe pain, or lethargy.
• Be aware that water, snow, and sand all reflect UV rays and increase your chances for sunburn.

Treatment

• Cool wet compresses, soothing lotions, and cool baths may help relieve minor sunburn pain. Drink plenty of fluids. For serious burns, call your doctor right away. Medication may prevent infection and help with the swelling and pain.

Over-exposure to UV rays is bad for eyes of any age but can be especially harmful for the very young. Learn how to protect your eye health. Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion accessory or reserved only for adults. Wearing sunglasses, from birth through old age, can help save your eyesight. The lens inside a child’s eye is clear from birth through about age 10. It can’t filter out as much sunlight as an adult lens. That means sun exposure can cause more damage before age 10 than after.

Early exposure, long-term damage

Long-term exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays is a big factor in vision loss. Studies indicate that too much sunlight may lead to:

• Cataracts and age-related macular degeneration which rob adults of eyesight
• Skin cancer around the eyelids
• Benign growths on the eye’s surface that can block vision

There are two types of harmful UV radiation:

• UVA rays can damage the macula, the part of the retina that controls central vision.
• UVB rays affect the front part of the eye –the cornea and lens.

Over-exposure to UVB rays for short periods can lead to corneal sunburn. This can cause pain, a feeling of grit in the eyes, and even short-term vision loss. You can get this kind of exposure at the beach or on a ski slope without proper eye protection. For children, this can cause long-term vision problems. Bright sun and glare can also cause immediate problems. Bright sunlight interferes with your vision and ability to see clearly. It causes you to squint and makes your eyes water.

Since proper eye protection helps prevent future vision loss, make sure that:

• Your kids wear sunglasses, and they understand why they need them.
• They keep wearing sunglasses into adulthood.
• You wear sunglasses, too. If you set a good example, your children will be more likely to get into the habit of wearing sunglasses as well.

When to wear sunglasses

Sunglasses are not just for sunny summer days, when UV rays are at least three times higher than in winter. Reflections from snow, water, sand, or pavement can intensify UV rays to extremely high levels. Don’t be fooled by a cloudy day. The sun’s rays pass right through the haze and thin clouds. When outside, wear sunglasses. Be sure to wear them in the early afternoon when UV radiation is strongest. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says you should wear sunglasses when you take part in winter sports. You should also wear them at high altitudes, where UV light is more intense. Keep your sunglasses on outside when you take medications that can increase your sensitivity to sunlight.