Pee Dee Leaders Consider Employee Wellness Strategies

The American Heart Association encouraged top area executives to adopt an employee wellness initiative— Start! “walking at work” culture. Leadership from more than forty Pee Dee companies attended the CEO event on Tuesday, May 19, 7:30 am, at McLeod Health & Fitness Center to hear more about strategies to make their workplace healthier and more physically active. Rob Colones, 2009 Pee Dee Heart Walk Chair and President and CEO of McLeod Health, along with other Executive Team Leaders hosted the meeting.

Recently, Honda of South Carolina, Carolina’s Hospital System, and The ESAB Group, Inc. were recognized by the American Heart Association’s Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program for promoting physical activity and health in the workplace. They have received the Gold level of the Fit Friendly Company Program. Adult Americans spend the majority of their waking hours at work, many in sedentary careers — amplifying the risk for medical problems such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity alone costs American businesses $12.7 billion in medical expenses and $225.8 billion in health-related productivity losses per year.

Start! is a groundbreaking national movement from the American Heart Association. It calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking. Start! recognizes and rewards companies for progressive leadership and for making the health and wellness of their staff a priority. Pee Dee area companies are invited to participate in Start! and demonstrate similar physical activity practices for their employees.

Adult Americans spend a majority of their waking hours at work, and many are in sedentary careers. This raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as overweight, high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity alone costs American businesses $12.7 billion per year in medical expenses and $225.8 billion in health-related productivity losses . A program such as Start! that increases employees’ physical activity will improve their health — and their employers’ bottom line. Specifically, studies suggest that implementing a worksite physical activity program and promoting a culture of activity will help companies increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, lower turnover and reduce health Reduce healthcare costs.

To find out how the American Heart Association’s Start! program can help your company establish a walking at work program or become involved in the Pee Dee Heart Walk, visit www.americanheart.org/start or www.startpeedeesc.org.

Pee Dee Leaders to Consider Employee Wellness Strategies

The American Heart Association encourages top area executives to adopt an employee wellness initiative— Start! “walking at work” culture. Leadership from more than forty Pee Dee companies will attend the CEO event on Tuesday, May 19, 7:30 am, at McLeod Health & Fitness Center to hear more about strategies to make their workplace healthier and more physically active. Rob Colones, 2009 Pee Dee Heart Walk Chair and President and CEO of McLeod Health, along with other Executive Team Leaders will be hosting the meeting.

Recently, Honda of South Carolina, Carolina’s Hospital System, and The ESAB Group, Inc. were recognized by the American Heart Association’s Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program for promoting physical activity and health in the workplace. They have received the Gold level of the Fit Friendly Company Program. Adult Americans spend the majority of their waking hours at work, many in sedentary careers — amplifying the risk for medical problems such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity alone costs American businesses $12.7 billion in medical expenses and $225.8 billion in health-related productivity losses per year.

Start! is a groundbreaking national movement from the American Heart Association. It calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking. Start! recognizes and rewards companies for progressive leadership and for making the health and wellness of their staff a priority. Pee Dee area companies are invited to participate in Start! and demonstrate similar physical activity practices for their employees.

Adult Americans spend a majority of their waking hours at work, and many are in sedentary careers. This raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as overweight, high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity alone costs American businesses $12.7 billion per year in medical expenses and $225.8 billion in health-related productivity losses. A program such as Start! that increases employees’ physical activity will improve their health — and their employers’ bottom line. Specifically, studies suggest that implementing a worksite physical activity program and promoting a culture of activity will help companies increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, lower turnover and reduce health Reduce healthcare costs.

To find out how the American Heart Association’s Start! program can help your company establish a walking at work program or become involved in the Pee Dee Heart Walk, visit www.americanheart.org/start or www.startpeedeesc.org.

House Speaker Responds to Senate’s Changes on Cig Tax Credit Plan

House Speaker Bobby Harrell issued the following statement about the changes the Senate Finance Committee made to the Cigarette Tax Credit plan:

“I have concerns about the changes that the Senate Finance Committee made today to the House’s cigarette tax credit plan. Putting this money into a ‘trust fund’ to use later on instead of returning these dollars back to the people to assist in the purchase of private health insurance raises uncertainties. This sets up the potential for government to just tax and spend the money elsewhere instead of using tax credits to help people purchase the health care coverage they need.

“Simply raising taxes and then waiting around to see what Congress does with a universal health care plan is not the right approach. We need a plan that is based on giving this money back through tax credits and private insurance options. This ‘tax now, wait and see’ method is dangerous. The revenue neutral plan the House put together is far from the expensive government issued health care plan Congress is preparing to fund with a massive tax increase. The House’s cigarette tax credit plan makes it affordable for individuals to purchase private health care coverage and incentivizes small businesses to offer better benefits to their workers.

“I hope the full Senate will address these changes and return to a plan that gives the money back to the people.”

Lt. Governor Bauer Challenges Seniors to Choose Health and a Longer Life

Lt. Governor André Bauer will kick off the Lt. Governor’s Challenge with a wellness walk at Haywood Mall in Greenville on Friday, April 24 beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in America. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, heart disease risk is lowered by as much as 82% simply by adopting sensible health habits.

“You can choose healthy habits to help prevent cardiovascular disease: eat a healthy diet, get regular physical activity, and maintain a healthy weight. You can see heart healthy results in as little as eight to ten weeks,” said Lt. Governor André Bauer. “Your heart is in your hands, and you can make a difference. That is why I am encouraging people to join me in taking on the Lt. Governors’ Challenge and a chance at a healthier, longer life.”

The Lieutenant Governors’ Challenge is part of a nationwide program sponsored by the National L. Governor’s Association. Participants in the 12-week program earn points by doing everyday activities like walking or housework. Each person who meets the point goals receives a medal.

In South Carolina, the Challenge it will include both an online, interactive program for individuals to plan, track, and gain rewards from new nutrition and fitness choices, and a series or wellness walks held in area malls. The wellness walks will also feature free health screenings, information of healthy living and special discounts for seniors at certain retailers on the day of the event.

“Today I am issuing a new challenge not just to seniors, but all residents of South Carolina. The Lieutenant Governors’ Challenge will help people learn about ways to eat better, reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease and assist them in tracking their progress towards better health,” Bauer said.

Lieutenant Governor Bauer has partnered with the South Carolina chapters of the American Heart Association and Arthritis Foundation, local hospitals and the South Carolina Aging Network to help promote the Lieutenant Governor’s Challenge and heart health education.

This Week's Healthy SC Challenge Tips

The Healthy SC Challenge is the Sanford family's effort to get all South Carolinians to do just a little more to live a healthier lifestyle. The tips are designed to encourage individuals and communities to live healthier lifestyles in three categories - nutrition, exercise and help to quit smoking.


Nutrition
Almost every South Carolina town or community has an annual fair, festival or carnival. These events feature many high-calorie treats like funnel cakes, cotton candy, caramel apples and corn dogs. Since you do a lot of walking at these events, you may think you can burn off those extra food calories. You can, if you walk up to a mile and a half for a bag of cotton candy or three miles for a funnel cake!
Most of the foods we traditionally associate with fairs, festivals and carnivals are characterized by big portions with lots of sugar and fat calories. For many people, attending the event wouldn't be nearly as much fun without these tasty treats. You look forward to a corn dog or cotton candy, and some of these treats are once-a-year foods.

So, how much exercise does it take to walk off your favorite munchies? On average, you have to walk about one mile to burn 100 calories. To visualize how far that is, there are approximately 12 city blocks to the mile. Although calories in your favorite festival food can vary depending on portion size, recipe and more, you would have to take an 18-block walk to burn off the calories in a serving of cotton candy.
Here are the approximate distances you have to walk to burn off the calories from a few popular foods available at festivals, fairs and carnivals:
* Corn dog, large: 4.5 miles
* Fried candy bar on a stick: 4.5 miles
* Funnel cake, 6-inch diameter: 3 miles
* Soft pretzel: 3 miles
* Caramel apple: 3 miles
* Soft drink, 32 ounce: 2.5 miles
* Snow-cone: 2.5 miles
* Cotton candy: 1.5 miles

This does not mean that you need to load a picnic basket with carrot sticks and celery before heading to the fair. With a little planning, you can fit your favorite fair foods into your daily diet. Here's how:
* Quench your thirst with a small soft drink instead of the larger sizes. Better yet, buy or bring along bottled water. Save your calories for your favorite once-a-year food.
* Limit yourself to one treat. Make sure the rest of your choices are reasonable serving sizes of lower-sugar and lower-fat items.
* Check out all the food booths before making your selection. Imagine that you have a "calorie salary." Enjoy the foods you like the most for your "salary."
* Split foods among several people. For example, share a large funnel cake with friends. Everyone gets a taste, and no one gets overloaded.
* Allow enough time to sit down and eat, rather than grazing your way from one end of the fairgrounds to the other. It's hard to know how much you're eating when you're walking, talking and eating at the same time.

Dress in comfortable shoes so you're more likely to walk off some of those extra calories. Wear a pedometer and see how many steps you can take at the festival. One mile equals about 2,000 steps, or around one-third of the calories in a caramel apple. Finally, if you do indulge a little too much, remember to return to a more balanced way of eating the next day. A day or two of overeating won't affect your weight that much, but weeks of overeating will. Eating an extra 100 calories daily can result in a 10-pound weight gain in a year.
-Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center

Physical Activity
Here are important components for what make an ideal workout partner.
1) Sharing the Same Schedule: This is a big one. If someone has a different schedule, it's just going to be more hassle than it's worth. Picking someone you work with or someone who has the same hours at the office is always a good way to go. If you live in opposite directions, carpool from the office to the gym and you'll be helping the environment in the process! Or even better, walk to the gym with each other!
2) Sharing the Same Goals: This one isn't a necessity, but it does help. If one person is trying to lose weight and the other is trying to get super muscles, it might not be a great match. Plus, if your partner is lifting so heavy that you can't even handle the weight, it will pose a risk to both you and your partner.
3) Sharing the Same Dedication: You may not think that this is important, but if you partner up with someone who is wishy-washy about staying in shape, you may be hindering yourself and your gains. Think about it. If you get in the groove of only going to the gym when you're partner goes, you'll be dragging yourself down to their dedication, and that's no good! So pick someone that is motivated!
-www.gohealthygofit.com

Tobacco
You've tried the patch, gum, lozenges, inhaler, Zyban, etc., and that didn't work. What's left? No one substance or method is the magic bullet. You need to keep tinkering and trying. Meanwhile, people who manage to shift their addiction to nicotine replacements, like the patch, the gum, etc., have already taken a huge burden off their lungs, their heart, and their gastrointestinal system. And for some reason, it's easier to taper off the replacements than off of straight tobacco. Studies show that people who use these items triple their chances of finally quitting.
-www.dukehealth.org

This Week's Healthy SC Challenge Tips

The Healthy SC Challenge is the Sanford family's effort to get all South Carolinians to do just a little more to live a healthier lifestyle. The tips are designed to encourage individuals and communities to live healthier lifestyles in three categories - nutrition, exercise and help to quit smoking.

Nutrition: Casseroles, stews and soups: These are all good ways in cool weather to sneak more nutrition into your eating plan. Dried beans and peas like navy, kidney, black or split provide fiber, protein, iron, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, potassium, carbohydrates and other B vitamins. In addition, dried beans and peas are low in fat and are cholesterol-free. Cooking dried beans requires some preparation. Soak beans overnight, drain and add fresh water, then cook for two to three hours or until tender. Add rice or pasta, vegetables and lean meat for increased flavor and nutrition. If you use canned beans in soup, add less salt. You can also experiment with different spices to change the character of your entrée.
-American Dietetic Association, www.eatright.org

Physical Activity: Choosing an exercise program and "sticking" with it is a key to good health. Walking is an exercise that is affordable and reaps numerous health benefits. Walking reduces the risk of many diseases including the risk of a heart attack. Walking 30 minutes per day briskly can reduce heart disease in women from 30 to 40 percent. Walking reduces the risk of stroke in half by walking an hour per day 5 days per week. Walking also reduces type 2 diabetes by half combined with a lower fat intake. Walking has more benefits as well; in fact, walking lowers stress levels, improves sleep, increases lifespan, strengthens muscles, bones and joints.

To begin an effective walking program, choose a good pair of athletic shoes and dress according to the weather. Layers provide flexibility to adjust your comfort level as you walk by removing excess clothes. Choose a well-lit area and a surface that is smooth and safe. To obtain the most benefit from walking, walk briskly at least 30 minutes per day, 5 times per week while being able to maintain a conversation. Always be sure to check with your physician before beginning an exercise program.
-University of South Carolina Upstate "Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days Employee Fitness Challenge"

Tobacco: You can quit smoking. Write these down on a card and carry it with you in your pocket.
1. Get ready: Set a quit date.
2. Get medicine: Talk your doctor.
3. Get help: Call toll free 1-800-QUIT NOW.
4. Stay quit: Quit for good
-You Can Quit Smoking. Pocket Card. U.S. Public Health Service

Healthy SC Challenge Tips

The Healthy SC Challenge is the Sanford family's effort to get all South Carolinians to do just a little more to live a healthier lifestyle. The tips are designed to encourage individuals and communities to live healthier lifestyles in three categories - nutrition, exercise and help to quit smoking.

Nutrition
Forego the designer coffee drinks. When it's cold outside, people reach for warm drinks; and normally, that means a run to the coffee shop around the corner. If you have to get your fix of caffeine, do it with coffee instead of a mocha latte or a blended drink. Many of the concoctions at your local Starbucks have more than 700 calories. 700 calories for a drink?! Your best bet is a cup of coffee with a bit of skim milk; it has only a few calories and the same pick-me-up power as those calorie-laden lattes. Also, remember to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water during the winter months. This is the time we get dehydrated most often. -www.aarp.org

Physical Activity
The data is convincing that regular physical activity provides protection from breast cancer and a growing number of studies are finding that it may be even more life-saving for breast cancer survivors. Yale School of Medicine scientists followed 933 women diagnosed with breast cancer over a 4 to 9 year time period and found that 2 years after diagnosis, women who engaged in any recreational activity at all had a 60 percent lower risk of death than those who were sedentary. Women who walked briskly at least 2 to 3 hours a week reduced their risk of death by 67 percent. Women who became sedentary after diagnosis were 4 times more likely to die of breast cancer than those who were inactive before diagnosis and remained so. Based on the studies I have reviewed, daily exercise should be a standard part of the treatment plan for any cancer survivor.

For those at risk for cancer (which is all of us!), please remember that regular physical activity (exercise) is 3rd only to avoiding tobacco and maintaining a healthy body weight as the most powerful thing you can do to reduce your cancer risk. For more on cancer prevention, please visit www.PreventCancer.org.
-Dr. Ann Kulze, Nationally recognized nutrition and wellness expert, www.dranns10steps.com

Tobacco
If you have asthma, smoking is especially risky because of the damage it does to the lungs. When someone smokes, he or she may cough, wheeze, and feel short of breath. This is because smoke irritates the airways, causing them to become swollen, narrow, and filled with sticky mucus. These are the same things that happen during an asthma flare-up. That's why smoking can cause asthma flare-ups to happen more often. Those flare-ups may be more severe and harder to control, even with medicine. -www.kidshealth.org

Why HSAs Can Help People Make Money As Well As Save It

The security of a Health Savings Account (HSA) is more attractive than ever, but there’s a unique bonus inherent in the structure of HSAs – the ability to invest your HSA funds in a safe haven, and build a bigger healthcare nest-egg for the future.

That’s why Rick Monello, CEO of Custom Health Plans, believes that agents will be far more successful offering their clients HSAs than they were last year, as long as they understand the appeal of the investment side of the equation.

Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, came about as part of the Medicare Reform Act of 2003, and they offer consumers a tax-free option for healthcare. With HSAs, consumers typically employ a high-deductible health insurance policy to protect against major medical expenses, while establishing a savings account to use for small, day to day medical expenses. What makes it affordable is that the high deductible policy is significantly less expensive than traditional HMOs, and the money they deposit into their HSA is PRE-TAX dollars. The law allows people to take money out of their paycheck and deposit it directly into their HSA before they pay taxes on it. So, not only do they save on their insurance premiums, but they are also able to save on their taxes. Moreover, HSA money can be used to pay for ANY medical expense, from over-the-counter headache medications, knee braces or orthopedic shoes. Anything remotely medical can be paid for out of that account, all funded with pre-tax dollars. Finally, at the end of the year, any money left over in the HSA account can be rolled over – tax-deferred – to use the next year. Flex spending accounts don’t allow that – if you don’t use it during the calendar year, you lose it.

These plans were created in response to the rising cost of health care with the intent to give the consumer back the control of their health care costs and in many cases reduce premiums by up to 50 percent.

These unique plans provide consumers greater control, more choices, tax advantages and are generally more affordable than their HMO and PPO second cousins, according to Monello. Plus, the interest in investing their HSA funds is growing.

According to a survey done by Cigna last year, more than 65 percent of HSA customers said they would be interested in putting their excess HSA funds into mutual funds and other types of investment vehicles that are traditionally safe havens for their money. When you consider that HSA funds come from pre-tax contributions, it’s like double-dipping. Not only do they save on their taxes, but they are also able to grow that amount through the investment options now available for them.

“Based on the current economic conditions on Wall Street, nothing in the marketplace can match the benefits of HSAs,” Monello said. “People are afraid to put their money in stocks anymore and they are looking for vehicles with tax shelters with attractive tax benefits. With HSAs, customers can solve both problems: where to safely put your money and how to provide incredible health coverage for your family. HSAs are a good alternative to kill two birds with one stone, provide affordable health care and tax benefits in an uncertain and shaky economy.”

Vote for Good Health Election Results

Wrapping up ETV Smart Cat’s “Vote for Good Health” on-air promotion, ETV staged an election of a more mouth-watering variety. Throughout the campaign that lasted six weeks, kids of all ages had a chance to get involved in the democratic process by voting for their favorite fruit or vegetable.

Fruit and Vegetable Election Results:
Strawberry 141
Watermelon 126
Apple 95
Corn 55
Carrot 55
Peach 44
Squash 16
Lettuce 6

For more information, visit ETV Kids.

Insurance Fraud Awareness Week

Governor Mark Sanford has proclaimed November 10-14 as Insurance Fraud Awareness Week in South Carolina. Insurance fraud is a felony in South Carolina and can result in jail time. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau studies indicate 10 percent or more of property/casualty insurance claims are fraudulent.

While there are organized fraud rings throughout South Carolina, other people you wouldn't suspect, such as a next-door neighbor, co-worker or close acquaintance, are also the causes of insurance fraud and increased insurance premiums.

"We need the general public to fight fraud in our state and not tolerate it," said Brandolyn Pinkston, Administrator of the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs. "The message is a simple yet powerful one: We all pay for insurance fraud - it's time to fight back."

Officials encourage consumers to use the South Carolina Insurance Fraud Hotline to report cases to the Attorney General's Insurance Fraud Division. The South Carolina Insurance Fraud Hotline (1-888-95-FRAUD) is available toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What is Insurance Fraud?

• Misrepresentation of the number of miles on an auto insurance application.
  
• Failure to report an accurate medical history when applying for health insurance.
  
• Fake or exaggerated injury claims to avoid work and draw workers’ compensation pay outs.
  
• Falsification or overstatement of injuries in an auto accident to obtain a large settlement or damages award.
  
• Staged auto accidents that result in claims for non-existent or exaggerated injuries.
  
• Fabrication of relationships to obtain life insurance benefits.
  
• Exaggeration of the amount and value of items stolen from a home, business or automobile.

Health tip of the week from Fitness World

Slow to anger, slow to eat, slow to lose weight, slow to speak.
Evaluate your life, are you taking care of yourself and your family?  Find an activity everyone can do to keep yourself in shape.

Train Hard, Put God First, Smile and Change Someone's day.
- Sensei Curtis Boyd