Category: Health

By Dr. Gary Grosel, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare of Illinois

Feeling stressed at work? If so, you’re not alone. A recent Gallup Poll revealed that 55 percent of Americans said they experienced stress “a lot” during the day, up from 46 percent in 2006. In the workplace, stress can affect your attitude, relationships with your colleagues and affect your work performance.  And although a modest amount of stress is normal, high levels of stress can be dangerous to your health and may contribute to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, anxiety and depression. Fortunately, there are ways to help manage stress. Here are tips to consider that may reduce your workplace stress and get you back on a healthy track preforming at your usual best.

Talk to your boss. Consider having an open discussion with your boss about the stressors associated with your work responsibilities. Ask if there is an opportunity for additional skills training, or possibly even restructure your job to make it more manageable and better aligned with your interests and skills. Also, check if your company has an employee assistance program (EAP), which may provide available counseling and online resources.

Brush up on your time-management skills. We’ve all had days when it seems impossible to get everything done. In some cases, poor time management is the reason we feel this way, which then may trigger stress.  For your next work assignment, talk with your supervisor before getting started to plan realistic goals, priorities and deadlines.

Take advantage of workplace well-being programs. An increasing number of employers are offering well-being programs through their health plan and are making healthier food options available in the workplace. Some employers offer gym reimbursement programs such as UnitedHealthcare’s Gym Check-In, have onsite workout rooms, stand-up desks, encourage walking meetings and well-being challenges like “taking the stairs.” Remember, it’s important for both your physical and mental health to combine exercise with a well-balanced diet.

By: Colleen Van Ham, president & CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Illinois

More people in Illinois and across the country are gaining access to well-being programs that encourage consumers to adopt healthier lifestyles and, ideally, help curb health care costs. According to a recent study, 87 percent of employers are committed to workplace well-being efforts, and nearly three-quarters (73 percent) offer a program. These efforts are already producing results: Among people with access to employer-sponsored well-being programs, 57 percent said the initiatives had a positive effect on their health, according to the 2019 UnitedHealthcare Wellness Check Up Survey. Among those, 82 percent said they were motivated to pay more attention to their health; 63 percent said they increased physical activity; 59 percent improved their diet; and 30 percent reported improved sleep. As people seek to improve their health habits heading into summer, here are some tips to help consumers become healthier and make the most of their well-being programs: 

Modify Lifestyle Choices: As many as 80 percent or more of the incidence of premature chronic conditions, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, are caused by modifiable lifestyle choices – such as risk factors like smoking or obesity – as opposed to being caused by genetic factors, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With that in mind, people should consider ways to make healthier choices throughout the workday, such as starting or participating in walking meetings, using onsite fitness equipment or taking advantage of biometric screenings, or opting for a stand-up desk. During breaks, choose healthier snacks such as fruits and vegetables, while go-to lunches can include a sandwich with a lean protein – such as turkey or chicken breast – or a visit to the salad bar.

Earn Available Incentives: Mid-sized and large employers this year will offer an average per-employee well-being incentive of $762, according to a study by the National Business Group on Health. Check with your HR department to determine what well-being incentives might be available to you. For instance, some programs enable people to earn more than $1,000 per year by meeting certain daily walking goals. Other initiatives provide discounts on gym memberships and premium discounts for meeting various health benchmarks, such as a non-nicotine use or normal blood pressure.

Start to Socialize: Recent research shows that meaningful relationships may be crucial for overall health. By incorporating social components into your well-being or fitness routine, you may be more likely to stick with it. The Wellness Check Up Survey found that over half (57 percent) of respondents said they are more likely to participate in a fitness routine if there is a social component, either in-person or virtually. Potential strategies include participating in walking groups, going to group fitness classes or joining recreational leagues such as basketball or tennis.      

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is rolling out a test for adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) for all newborn babies statewide.  ALD is a rare hereditary disorder that affects the brain, nervous system, and adrenal gland.  It affects approximately 1 in 20,000 births. “Babies born with adrenoleukodystrophy have normal brains at birth.  However, progression of the disorder without treatment can be fatal,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.  “By adding ALD to the Illinois newborn screening panel, every baby born in Illinois will be tested for ALD.  Babies who test positive for this disorder can then receive therapies during the early stage of the disease.” Early diagnosis of babies with ALD can lead to potentially life-saving interventions, including adrenal steroid replacement and stem cell transplantation.  These therapies are only effective during a narrow window, which is often missed.  Through universal screening and early diagnosis, treatment options can be evaluated by the baby’s health care providers and initiated in some cases before symptoms develop. Additional information can be found on the dph.illinois.gov website.

Chicago’s Mental Health Task Force, Chaired by Alderman Sophia King, convened the first public forum on Thursday, June 13th at Malcolm X College on public mental health services called for by the recently-enacted “Public Mental Health Service Expansion Resolution.” Residents were able to provide written and spoken testimony on the mental health needs in the city and provide recommendations on the re-opening the closed public mental health clinics and expanding current mental health services at existing clinics. Ald. Sophia King, Ald. George Cardenas, Ald. Jeanette Taylor and other aldermen were present and hosted by the Mental Health Task Force and supported by the Collaborative for Community Wellness. The Collaborative is a coalition of mental health professionals, community-based organizations, and community residents working to address mental health inequity and redefine mental health services to match the needs of the community. The Task Force was created to study the impact of the previous Mayor Emanuel’s decision to close public mental health clinics, assess the geographic areas most in need of mental health services and the types of services needed, and determine recommendations.

IlliniCare Health announced a new initiative that will aim to support people with mental health conditions by further integrating mental and physical health care. Leveraging Quartet Health’s technology and services, IlliniCare Health will support mental health and primary care providers at the local level to help ensure members — including those with mental health conditions that have historically been unaddressed — get the right care at the right time. This effort is an extension of IlliniCare Health’s commitment to focus on improving the health of the community by addressing the whole health of individuals, one patient at a time. IlliniCare Health is continually implementing its innovative strategy to address mental health and provide support for substance abuse disorders among Medicaid beneficiaries. With Quartet’s technology and services, IlliniCare Health will: 

● Better identify members with mental health conditions. Primary care physicians and mental health providers will receive information through proprietary algorithms that will identify members with underlying mental health conditions.

● Connect members to personalized mental health care and treatment options. The partnership will offer providers resources to help them refer members to an extended network of trusted mental health providers and tools to help members with psychiatric and medication management needs.

● Build coordinated care teams. Primary care physicians and mental health providers get to collaborate with one another on treatment plans through Quartet’s easy-to-use HIPAA-compliant platform.

Por Dr. Gary Grosel, funcionario médico en jefe, UnitedHealthcare of Illinois

¿Te sientes estresado en el trabajo? Si tu respuesta es si, no estás solo. Un reciente estudio Gallup Poll reveló que el 55 por ciento de los estadounidenses dicen que experimentan mucho estrés durante el día, hasta del 46 por ciento en el 2006. En el trabajo, el estrés puede afectar tu actitud, tus relaciones con tus colegas y afectar tu desempeño en el trabajo. Y aunque una cantidad moderada de estrés es normal, altos niveles de estrés pueden ser peligrosos para tu salud y pueden contribuir a graves problemas de salud, como alta presión arterial, enfermedades cardiacas, diabetes, ansiedad y depresión. Afortunadamente hay muchas formas de ayudar a manejar al estrés. A continuación unos consejos que pueden reducir el estrés en el trabajo y hacerte volver a un camino saludable con tu mejor desempeño habitual.

Habla con tu jefe. Considera tener una discusión abierta con tu jefe sobre lo que te causa estrés asociado con tus responsabilidades de trabajo. Pregúntale si hay una oportunidad de entrenamiento para destrezas adicionales, o posiblemente inclusive reestructurar tu trabajo para hacerlo más manejable y mejor alineado con tus intereses y habilidades. Ve también si tu compañía tiene un programa de ayuda al empleado (EAP), que puede brindarte consejería y recursos en línea.

Considera como manejas tu tiempo. Todos tenemos días en que parece imposible terminar todo. En algunos casos, un mal manejo del tiempo es la razón por lo que esto pasa y puede provocar estrés. Para tu próxima asignación de trabajo, habla con tu supervisor antes de empezar a planear metas, prioridades y fechas límites realísticas.

Aprovecha los programas de bienestar en el trabajo. Un creciente número de empleadores ofrecen programas de bienestar a través de su plan de salud y están poniendo opciones de alimentos saludables en el lugar de trabajo. Algunos empleadores ofrecen programas de reembolso de gimnasio, como Cym Chek-In de UnitedHealthcare, tienen cuartos de gimnasia, escritorios de pie, aconsejan reuniones para caminar y retos de bienestar como “subir las escaleras”. Recuerda, es importante para tu salud mental y física combinar el ejercicio con una dieta bien balanceada.

El Departamento de Salud Pública de Illinois (IDPH) está aplicando una prueba de adrenoleucodistrofia (ALD) para recién nacidos a nivel estatal. El ALD es un extraño desorden hereditario que afecta el cerebro, el sistema nervioso y las glándulas adrenales. Afecta aproximadamente a 1 de cada 20,000 nacimientos. “Los bebés nacidos con adrenoleucodistrofia tienen un cerebro normal cuando nacen. Sin embargo, la progresión del desorden sin tratamiento puede ser fatal”, dijo el Director de IDPH, Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Agregando ADL al panel de pruebas de tratamiento del recien nación en Illinois, cada bebé nacido en Illinois recibirá una prueba de ALD. Los bebés que salgan positivos en este desorden pueden recibir terapias durante las primeras etapas de la enfermedad”. Un pronto diagnóstico de bebés con ALD puede llevar a intervenciones que potencialmente le salen la vida, incluyendo el reemplazo de esteroides adrenales y el transplante de células madre. Estas terapias solo son efectivas en un corto período de tiempo, que muchas veces no se aprovecha. A través de una prueba universal y un pronto diagnóstico, las opciones de tratamiento pueden ser evaluadas por los médicos del bebé e iniciadas en algunos casos, antes de desarrollar los síntomas. Información adicional en la red dph.illinois.gov website.

Grupo Especial de Salud Mental de Chicago, dirigido por la Concejal Sophia King, convocó el primer foro público el jueves, 13 de junio, en Malcom X College, sobre servicios públicos de salud mental, pedidos por la recién convertida en ley “Resolución de la Expansión del Servicio Público de Salud Mental”. Los residentes pudieron proveer testimonios, escritos y orales, sobre las necesidades de salud mental en la ciudad y brindar recomendaciones sobre la reapertura de las clínicas de salud mental cerradas y ampliar los servicios actuales de salud mental en las clínicas existentes. La Concejal Sohia King, el Concejal George Cárdenas, la Concejal Jeanette Taylor y otros concejales estuvieron presentes y atendidos por el Grupo Especial de Salud Mental y apoyados por Colleborative for Community Wellness. El Colaborativo es una coalición de profesionales de salud mental, organizaciones comunitarias y residentes de la comunidad que trabajan por atender las inequidades de salud mental y redefinir los servicios de salud mental para atender las necesidades de la comunidad. El Grupo Especial fue creado para estudiar el impacto de la anterior decisión del Alcalde Emanuel, de cerrar las clínicas de salud mental, evaluar las áreas geográficas que más necesitan los servicios de salud mental, el tipo de servicios necesitado y determinar recomendaciones.

IlliniCare Health anunció una nueva iniciativa que espera apoyar a la gente con condiciones de salud mental, integrando el cuidado de salud físico y mental. Al aprovechar la tecnología y los servicios de Quartet Health, IlliniCare Health brindará apoyo a los proveedores de atención primaria y de salud mental a nivel local para ayudar a garantizar que los miembros – incluyendo a los que tienen condiciones de salud mental que históricamente no han sido atendidos – a obtener el cuidado correcto en el momento correcto. Este esfuerzo es una extensión del compromiso de IlliniCare Health de enfocarse en mejorar la salud de la comunidad atendiendo la salud por entera del individuo, un paciente a la vez. IllinoiCare Health está implementando constantemente su innovadora estrategia para atender la salud mental y brindar apoyo a problemas de abuso de substancias entre los beneficiarios de Medicaid. Con la tecnología y servicios de Quartet, IlliniCare Health:

• Identificará mejor a los miembros con condiciones de problemas mentales. Los doctores primarios y proveedores de salud mental recibirán información a través de algoritmos propietarios que identificarán a los miembros con condiciones de salud mental subyacentes.

• Conectará a los miembros con opciones de tratamiento y cuidado de salud mental. La afiliación ofrecerá a los proveedores recursos para ayudarles a referir a los miembros a una red externa de proveedores de salud mental confiables y medios para ayudar a los miembros con necesidades de atención psiquiátrica y medicinas.

• Establecerá equipos de cuidado coordinados. Los doctores primarios y los de salud mental colaborarán uno con otro en los planes de tratamiento a través de la plataforma fácil de usar de Quartet, compatible con HIPAA.

It’s said that we become our habits. In some cases, that is not a good thing; bad habits prevail among many Americans. One report found that over 70 percent of US adults have at least one unhealthy behavior associated with chronic health problems. Breaking bad habits isn’t easy, but sometimes the best answer is replacing them with empowering new habits that bring positive changes to one’s daily life. “We often have habits that hold us back, like smoking or eating food lacking in nutrition,” says Dr. Rob Carter III, co-author with his wife, Dr. Kirti Salwe Carter, of The Morning Mind: Use Your Brain to Master Your Day and Supercharge Your Life. Carter has a few ways you can create new, empowering habits and make them stick:

Prioritize habits. “For each area in which you want to grow,” Carter says, “take some time to think about what kind of empowering habits you’d like to establish around that topic.” Areas to consider are health, wealth, social, relationships, job, hobbies, self-esteem, interpersonal skills, positive thinking, time management, and life purpose.

Focus on one at a time. “Because we have a limited amount of willpower in the morning, it’s very important how we use that energy,” Carter says. “By focusing on just one habit you would like to change – for example, eating a healthy breakfast – you can concentrate that willpower on the task at hand until it becomes a habit.”

Be reasonable with yourself. The time it will take to establish the new habit depends upon how much resistance a person has. And sometimes developing a new habit represents a long leap from where one currently stands. “That’s too daunting,” Carter says, “so break it down into more achievable steps. Incremental improvements add up to a big transformation and are often more powerful and sustainable.”

Dr. Rob Carter III and Dr. Kirti Salwe Carter are co-authors of The Morning Mind: Use Your Brain to Master Your Day and Supercharge Your Life (www.themorningmind.com).