WELLNESS 2022:
"Teamwork Makes the Dream Work"
ESHCA Wellness Newsletter
August 2022
The shareable link (printable) for this issue: https://conta.cc/3oUcHhC
For complete member services visit us at: www.eshca.org
Chronic Disease Management:
Why does it matter?
August Edition:
  • This month we continue our focus on Chronic Disease Management.

  • June - High Blood Pressure
  • July - Diabetes
  • August - Cholesterol and Triglycerides

  • Chronic Diseases are conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both (CDC).
  • Why is this important? Chronic diseases have the potential to turn into "high-cost" claims that affect health premiums.
  • Chronic Disease Management and Education is an important step in controlling Health Premiums.
"Know Your Lipid Panel":
Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Your Annual Physical includes a Lipid Panel
  • Blood test that measures the amount of fat in your blood (cholesterol and triglycerides).
  • Example: see my 2021 results.
  • Downloaded from my doctor's member portal, a useful tool, I would recommend asking your PCP if they provide one.
  • Need additional motivation? Participate in the ESHCA $200 Annual Physical Incentive!
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High Cholesterol and Triglycerides
  • No symptoms! Many people are unaware their blood lipid levels are high.
  • High Blood Lipids increase the risk for heart disease (#1 cause of death) and stroke (#5 cause of death)
1) Cholesterol:
  • "Waxy" substance made up of lipids (fat) and protein.
  • Needed to build cells (outer layer), and make vitamins (vitamin D) and hormones.
  • ow levels of cholesterol can lead to anxiety, depression, and low birth weight (pregnant women).
  • Your body produces all the cholesterol it needs (liver). Additional cholesterol comes from foods, mostly those containing saturated fat.
  • Mainly animal sources such as meat (red), poultry (with the skin), and dairy (full fat).
  • A few plant sources also have saturated fats such as palm oil, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil.
  • Interestingly foods high in dietary cholesterol do not necessarily increase cholesterol levels
  • Read: 11 High Cholesterol Foods - Which to Eat, Which to Avoid
  • Two types of Cholesterol (HDL and LDL):
  • a) Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL)
  • referred to as "Bad" Cholesterol - high levels increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries).
  • b) High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)
  • referred to as "Good" Cholesterol - rids the body of excess LDL, collecting it and taking it to the liver where it is removed from the body.

2) Triglycerides:
  • Fats (lipids) found in the blood.
  • Triglycerides are formed from food (mainly high-carbohydrate foods).
  • They provide the body with energy.
  • Excess calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells.

Summary:
  • High LDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides combined with low HDL (referred to as Dyslipidemia) can lead to atherosclerosis.
  • Atherosclerosis is hardening of the arteries or thickening of the walls (limit blood flow).
  • LDL cholesterol and triglycerides build up along the artery walls.
  • Increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
  • High triglycerides are also associated with a number of adverse health issues including:
  • Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), high blood pressure, and Type 2 Diabetes
  • HDL collects excess LDL and removes it from the body (through the liver).
$25 August Incentive Challenge: Identify Your Risk Factors and "Take Action"!!!
High Blood Lipids - potential risk factors include:
  • Age, genetics, poor nutrition, body weight, and lack of exercise.

"Take action" on the variables you can change:
  • 1) Nutrition
  • Lower LDL and Triglycerides
  • Limit saturated fats
  • Limit processed meats and carbohydrates
  • Avoid over eating
  • 2) Exercise
  • Exercise raises HDL and lowers Triglycerides (burns excess calories).
  • Recommended: 5 days per week, 30 minutes
  • Progress slowly, it may take several years to reach this goal or you may never reach it. Some aerobic exercise (even 5 minutes per day) is beneficial.
  • 3) Medications
  • If necessary, work with your doctor on a plan!

Premise: 80% of chronic disease can be managed or cured through lifestyle (nutrition, exercise, and smoking cessation). Take the challenge and "take action":

  • 1) Read "Top 5 Lifestyle Changes to Improve Cholesterol" (very short).
  • 2) Fill in the Cholesterol Worksheet.
  • 3) Return the Worksheet to me by 9/15/22 and receive your $25 incentive!
  • Email (good cell phone picture), mail, or fax.
  • If you cannot print the worksheet, make up your own and send it in, I will take it!
  • 4) 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!

Special offer: Get your crew involved!!!
  • Take the lead, be a "Wellness Champion". Encourage the members of your crew to participate, have a group discussion and develop strategies to be successful on the job (Tool Box Talk). Record all your names on one "Blood Lipid Worksheet" and send it in, each will receive the $25 incentive (note: ESHCA members only).

The Wellness Program offers a number of incentive programs encouraging, motivating, and rewarding you to "practice" a healthy lifestyle. Check out the 2022 Wellness Incentive Program: