Reading Hospital – Tower Health Intern Program Nurtures Student Interest in Health Care
As part of a larger effort to interest more young people in a health care career, Reading Hospital-Tower Health operates a successful High School Internship Program that indeed has spurred participants to stay with the industry. This fall, 29 students from ... read more
St. Luke’s Joins with Community Partners to Build Bilingual Health Care Workforce
St. Luke’s University Health Network, in conjunction with the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, launched Cultural & Linguistic Workforce Development Centers this fall to help nurture a generation of bilingual, highly skilled health care workers. Bilingual ... read more
Penn State Health Pilots Free Allied Health Training for a Year’s Work Commitment
Penn State Health and HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, are piloting an innovative program that offers fully funded educational opportunities for current and aspiring allied health professionals in exchange for one year of employment. As part ... read more
Keeping Health Care Workplace Safety in the Spotlight
Violence against health care workers is on the rise, making it more difficult for them to provide quality, uninterrupted care to you. Despite being among the most cherished and trusted occupations in America, nurses and health care workers are highly vulnerable ... read more
Healthy Me PA: Support the SAVE Act
Last year, Healthy Me PA let you know about the introduction of the Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act, which would make it a federal crime to assault or intimidate hospital employees and provide $25 million in grant funding to reduce ... read more
You did it: 2022 Pennsylvania health care wins
The end of the year gives us an opportunity to look back on all the things we achieved this year. And you did a lot for Pennsylvania patients and health care workers. Just take a look at all the successes you had a hand in: You cut health insurance red ... read more
Prior Authorization: What It Means for Patients
Urgent: Contact your lawmakers in support of a bill that would reform prior authorization rules and reduce paperwork delays in your care. Think about your last routine checkup or a time when you needed immediate medical attention. Your doctor may have ordered some ... read more
Getting Ready for Election Day
Pennsylvania voters face a long list of ballot choices on November 8th — from the governor’s office to Congress and the state legislature — and every candidate has the potential to make decisions that will affect health care choices, access and affordability in ... read more
Healthy Me PA supports the SAVE Act
Federal legislation introduced in 2022 would take important steps to protect the safety of hospital and health care workers across Pennsylvania and nationwide — ultimately leading to better care for patients. The Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees ... read more
Reminder: Get Your Free, At-Home COVID Tests by Friday
If you haven’t ordered a third set of at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government, you still have a few days to take action. The deadline to order the free rapid antigen tests through the federal website is Friday. As we approach the deadline, here’s what ... read more
Behavioral health: 3 things all Pennsylvanians should know
Not all visits to the hospital are for physical ailments. Pennsylvania hospitals offer behavioral health services and resources to people in crisis. Read on to learn what behavioral health is, why it’s important, and what is being done to improve access. Are you ... read more
Medicaid Supplemental Payments: 5 Ways This Funding Helps PA
Hospitals are always open to provide care to all Pennsylvanians who need it, regardless of their ability to pay. Medicaid supplemental payments to hospitals help make this possible, enabling hospitals to provide lifesaving and critical care for burns and trauma ... read more
3 easy steps to summer COVID protection
Summer is just around the corner, and we’re sure you’re excited about the warm weather, spending time outdoors, and enjoying activities with family and friends. However, COVID-19 cases are on the rise, and it’s important to enjoy summer in a safe, protective ... read more
National Hospital Week: The Positive Impact of Our Local Hospitals
Hospital staff work tirelessly every day to provide the care Pennsylvanians rely on. In honor of National Hospital Week — May 8-14 — we asked you to share with us the ways your local hospitals are making a positive impact. “Pennsylvania Hospital took such ... read more
Donate Life Month: 5 Reasons to Support Organ Donation
April is Donate Life Month, and it’s an opportunity for us to think about how we all can make a difference through the gift of organ donation. Thousands of Pennsylvanians and others around the country are on the organ transplant waiting list. Donate Life Month ... read more
Tick Season Is Here: Eight Ways to Stay Safe
After a long winter, we’re all excited to enjoy the warmer weather. Last month, the state departments of Health and Environmental Protection warned Pennsylvanians that tick season is here and that we should all take the proper precautions. In Pennsylvania, there ... read more
With Omicron Raging, Getting Boosted Offers Best Protection
With Pennsylvania in the midst of its most intense COVID-19 surge yet, chances of coming into contact with the virus have never been higher. Luckily, we have an extremely effective tool for protecting ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities: booster ... read more
3 Reasons to Donate Blood This Winter
The American Red Cross recently announced the first-ever national blood crisis amid a shortage of donors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The shortage means there is less blood available to use in lifesaving procedures that can help people in your community, ... read more
Where to Go for COVID-19 Testing
Need a COVID-19 test? You’re not alone. With COVID-19 cases surging throughout the nation due to the highly contagious omicron variant, many Pennsylvanians are seeking COVID-19 tests due to potential exposure, wanting to gather safely with friends or family, or ... read more
There’s Still Time to Shop for 2022 Health Coverage in Pennsylvania
There’s still time to enroll in health insurance coverage for 2022 through Pennsylvania’s health insurance marketplace, Pennie. But you’ll need to act soon. The deadline to select a 2022 plan on Pennie is coming up January 15. Coverage will begin February 1. There ... read more
Find the Right Setting for Care
Pennsylvania hospitals are strained as the number of people they are treating for COVID-19 has surged to near-record levels. Many are caring for as many patients as they are able with the staff and beds they have available. This means many patients who seek care ... read more
Survey: Telehealth Access Highly Beneficial
As telemedicine has taken center stage during the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual care has become a powerful tool for managing our health. Telehealth services are incredibly beneficial for an individual’s access to health care. With specialties and opportunities ... read more
Got telehealth questions? We’ve got answers
While technology has been changing the way we live for generations, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated those changes and transformed how we do everything from going to work, to shopping for groceries, to receiving our health care. With many Pennsylvania health care ... read more
Telemedicine: Not just for pandemics anymore!
When the coronavirus hit, many patients in Pennsylvania—and across the country— received health care over their phones or by using a computer to see their doctors. Turns out telemedicine is not just a safer way to access health care during a public health crisis, ... read more
4 Reasons the PA Heroes Act Matters to You
Right now, the Health Care Heroes and Public Health Preparedness Act—let’s just call it the PA Heroes Act—is a hot topic in the General Assembly. There’s no doubt that $650 million would make a huge difference for our hospitals and health care workers. But did you ... read more
Helping Hospitals and Health Care Workers Rebound from COVID-19
More hope is here: All Pennsylvanians are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Many of us have been waiting patiently for this moment because it signals there’s an end in sight and that we’ll finally get a break from this pandemic. While there is a light at ... read more
Vaccines Offer Hope and a Way to Give Back to Hospitals
It’s been a year since the first pandemic lockdowns began, but finally we have a new sense of hope as hospitals and health care systems worldwide begin distributing COVID-19 vaccines. The last year has challenged us all, but through the sacrifices, precautions, ... read more
Doctors, Medical Facilities are Safe and Ready to Take Care of You
Although we all have paused during the pandemic to protect each other’s health and let our health care providers focus on COVID-19 medical challenges, the state’s gradual reopening signals that it’s time to get back to your health care. We know ... read more
Thank You, Health Care Heroes
Our health care professionals are working around the clock, separated from their loved ones to care for ours. We wanted to stop and say thank you to our health care heroes. read more
Medical Providers in Pandemic Shouldn’t Have to Worry About Lawsuits
We read every day about the personal danger our front-line medical professionals face as they care for the thousands of patients stricken with COVID-19, often without adequate protective equipment and with no proven treatment methods to offer. In this ... read more
How Do Virtual Doctor Visits Work?
As our lives have moved indoors and online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so too has our everyday health care. To avoid spreading the virus at doctor’s offices and health care facilities, telemedicine is being recommended for all sorts of health care ... read more
Telemedicine Becomes a Household Word Overnight in Pandemic
The COVID-19 virus has turned many activities we once engaged in occasionally, such as videoconferencing and working from home, into everyday parts of our lives. That’s certainly the case with telemedicine as medical professionals now more readily rely on this ... read more
Knowledge Is the Best Prescription for Managing Health Care
It’s not hard today to strike up a conversation about navigating the health insurance maze and juggling your medical dollars. It’s a large part of what we talk about here every day at Healthy Me PA. Given that today’s medical and insurance systems put much more ... read more
PA Trauma Centers, Other Hospitals Critically Need Increased Funding
Healthy Me PA has been at the forefront of encouraging state legislators and the governor to maintain funding for Pennsylvania’s critical access hospitals, obstetric and neonatal intensive care units, burn centers, and trauma centers. The efforts have been ... read more
Stay in the Know with Healthy Me PA
It seems to grow more complicated every year to find the right health insurance plan, use it wisely, and be smart with your health care dollars all while keeping yourself and your family healthy. The good news is you don’t have to forge your way ... read more
Barriers to Health Care Exist Statewide
Whether you live in one of Pennsylvania’s largest cities or you’re one of the almost 30 percent of residents who lives in a rural area, you face many of the same issues when you or your family needs health care services. Members of our Healthy Me PA ... read more
Health Care Worker Shortage Could Impact Your Care
Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems provide safe, quality health care and health evaluation services to millions of people each year. But a growing personnel shortage in our nursing and health care workforce could threaten everyone’s ability to receive the ... read more
PaCT Program Would Enable Pennsylvania Hospitals to Innovate, Provide Custom Solutions
Pennsylvanians with complex medical issues may soon have additional options when it comes to post-acute care, thanks to a proposed program to be considered by the state Legislature this year. The hospital patient care transition program (PaCT) would enable ... read more
Health Care Continues to Dominate 2020 Elections
Campaigns for the 2020 primary election are gaining steam every day, and so is the flow of information coming from local and national candidates. Much of it centers on their plans for changes in our health care system, ranging from sweeping “Medicare for All” ... read more
It’s Easy to Contact Your Elected Officials
One of the most important things you can do as a voter is to tell your senator, representative, and other officials what you think about their action or inaction on things you care about like health care issues. That might sound a little scary and ... read more
Innovation in PA Hospitals
Check out how Pennsylvania hospitals are using state-of-the-art technology to treat hospital patients. read more
Telemed Brings Health Care to You
Telemed connects rural patients to specialized doctors, and moms with sick kids to pediatricians. See it in action. read more
Telemedicine Can Solve Your Holiday Health Mishaps
It’s bad enough to wake up on the day of a big holiday with a sore throat and fever. It’s even worse if you’re visiting away from home, without your customary comforts. But for many kinds of minor illnesses, with telemedicine, it doesn't matter what day it is or ... read more
YOU Made Health Care Better in 2019
In 2019, the Healthy Me PA community made its voice heard throughout the halls of the state Capitol and helped to secure numerous legislative victories to improve our health care policies and practices in Pennsylvania. Before we buckle up for what’s sure to be a ... read more
Major Election Year Brings Heightened Health Care Debate
With a presidential election on the horizon in 2020, health care issues are destined to remain at the top of the national conversation. In terms of how Americans access health insurance and health care, the debate within and between political parties remains ... read more
Telemedicine Legislation Makes Health Care Convenient
Where you live, your ability to access transportation and the availability of medical specialists in your area all can play a part in preventing you from receiving quality medical care. But telemedicine services allow you to get the care you need from the comfort ... read more
Keep Your Medications Organized Daily
Download this graphic to help keep your medications organized daily! Medication Organizer read more
The Importance of Managing and Understanding Your Medication
Nearly 70 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug, and more than half take two, according to Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center researchers. Odds are that you are—or one day will be—part of the majority that uses prescription ... read more
Need an ER, or Can it Wait: Doctor Offers Guidance for Making the Call
With many medical treatment options available, you might find yourself debating whether your condition requires a trip to the emergency room or an urgent care center, or if you can wait until your doctor’s office opens. “The true role of the ER is to evaluate and ... read more
PA Insurance Department Ready to Help With Open Enrollment
It’s the time for many of us to select a health insurance plan for the coming year, and the Pennsylvania Insurance Department is armed with resources to help you decipher terminology, prices, and coverage options and pick the best plan for your health ... read more
Healthy Me PA: Opioid Learning Action Network
Addicts can - and do - recover. Learn more about the Opioid Learning Action Network by watching the video below. read more
Protect Your Lungs for Good Health
For the most part, we expect our lungs to breathe for us every day without thinking about taking care of them so they keep doing their job. While your body has a natural defense system to keep dirt and germs away from your lungs, here are six things you can do to ... read more
We All Play a Role in Preventing Bullying
With 20 percent of students ages 12-18 experiencing bullying and 70 percent of students and school staff having witnessed bullying, it’s important to learn how to help prevent it and what to do if your child falls victim. Bullying can be: Physical. Hitting, ... read more
Healthy Me PA: Halloween Tips
Have a safe and healthy Halloween with these tips! read more
Domestic Violence Damages Victims’ Mental Health
Domestic violence, sometimes called intimate partner violence, is a public health problem: Nearly one in four women has been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner, and one in nine men has experienced the same. The short-term physical ... read more
Healthy Me PA: Depression Screening
Do you know where to turn if you or a loved one is experiencing depression symptoms? Watch Dr. Huntington of Geisinger Health explain the importance of getting screened, and where to go from there. read more
Healthy Me PA: Opioid Learning Action Network
PA hospitals are working together to end the opioid crisis. Watch to learn more! read more
Community Hospital Initiatives Across Pennsylvania
Learn how hospitals are making a difference in their own backyards. read more
Temple University Hospital Baby Boxes Offer Infants Safe Sleeping Space
By pairing a simple box with parental education on safe infant sleep practices, a Temple University Hospital program has reduced the rates of parents sharing a bed with their infants, a risk factor for sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). Dr. ... read more
Temple Baby Box Program Encourages Safe Sleep
Check out this video featuring Temple University's Baby Box Program and how it encourages safe sleep for your newborn. read more
Fall Health Care Issues to Follow
The House and Senate return to Harrisburg next month. Here are some health care issues they will consider. Under Senate Bill 351, acts of physical violence against hospital workers, where there is bodily injury, would be felony assaults. House Bill ... read more
Pennsylvania’s New State Insurance Exchange: Frequently Asked Questions
In July 2019, Pennsylvania passed legislation that will make it possible for the state to set up its own online health insurance marketplace by 2021. Why is Pennsylvania creating its own health insurance marketplace? To save millions, improve access to care, and ... read more
Get Ready for the Fall with This Back-to-School Checklist
Whether it's your child's first year of kindergarten or last year of high school, you know how hectic the weeks before the start of school can be. Following this back-to-school checklist below will help you make sure your student is ready to succeed this school ... read more
Flu Shots Should Be Part of Your Fall Routine
When you start seeing pumpkins and Halloween decorations in your neighborhood, it’s time to talk with your doctor about scheduling a flu shot. Protecting yourself from influenza is important because the viral infection causes 10,000 to 50,000 adult ... read more
3 Reasons You Might Need a Measles Booster
As of June 13, there had been 1,044 confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. in 2019. Pennsylvania is one of 28 states dealing with an outbreak of the virus. With the U.S. experiencing the worst measles outbreak since the disease was eliminated in 2000, it is ... read more
Benefits to Breastfeeding
Watch to learn about the benefits of breastfeeding! read more
Tips for New Mothers
First-time moms have a lot to juggle. These tips can help! read more
World Hepatitis Day Seeks to Find ‘Missing Millions’ Living with Hepatitis
The World Hepatitis Alliance reports more than 300 million people are unknowingly living with viral hepatitis, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Hepatitis is a viral disease that leads to inflammation of the liver. In some cases, the ... read more
5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Doctor Visit
Here are 5 ways to make the most of your doctor's appointment. read more
The Results Are In!
We asked, and you answered. We're proud of our community for being so knowledgeable about Medicare, because it serves so many Pennsylvanians. read more
Social Media Tool Flags Lawmakers About Your Concerns
A Facebook tool called a Constituent Badge can help your comments and messages directed at your local, state, and federal representatives get noticed. Check out the easy-to-follow steps to add a Constituent Badge to your Facebook profile below. Becoming a ... read more
Workplace Safety Reform
Listen to nurses emphasize the importance of workplace safety reform, and learn about two essential pieces of legislation that would help protect health care workers. read more
Take Your Health on the Go
We manage so much of our lives through our phones—including our schedules and finances—so why not our health, too? read more
Prior Authorization: Discover Why it Matters for You
Have you ever heard the terms preauthorization, preapproval, or precertification during a visit to your doctor’s office? These words are used interchangeably to refer to an approval process, usually called prior authorization. Most health plans ... read more
Make SPF Your BFF
Learn the best tips to ensure your skin stays safe this sunny season. read more
Encourage the Men in Your Life to go to the Doctor
Let your brother, friend, or partner know that you care about his health, and encourage him to schedule regular doctor’s appointments and seek treatment when needed. read more
Health Checklist for Men
Men, stay up to date with the screenings you need for your age with this video. read more
What Is Health Care Advocacy, and How Can You Get Involved?
The Pennsylvania state budget process is heating up this month, and you might be surprised to know there are several important groups, other than the legislators, involved in shaping the final budget. There are hundreds of advocacy groups in Pennsylvania, and the ... read more
House of Representatives Class of 2019
We welcomed newly elected Pennsylvania representatives in the Capitol and talked about the state’s health and hospital systems. Hear what Rep. Steve Malagari has to say in this video. read more
5 Mental Health Stigmas That Prevent Men From Reaching Out for Help
Men are more than three times more likely to die by suicide than women and less likely to reach out to family, friends, or therapists for help, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. One theory to explain those figures, as ... read more
The Circle of Health
Treating our bodies well now pays off in the long run. By eating healthfully and scheduling regular checkups with our doctors, we prevent the need for hospital visits and bills later in life. read more
Encourage Your Father to Be Healthy
This Father’s Day, make a healthy meal or go on a walk with your dad. Here are other ways to encourage the father figure in your life to be healthier! read more
Women’s Health Symptoms: Know the Signs
Women’s and men’s bodies are unique, and they need to be treated that way. Women, know the signs of heart attack, mental disorders, and osteoporosis ahead of time. read more
Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals Crucial to Patient Independence and Mobility
The American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association (AMRPA) calls inpatient rehabilitation “a critical bridge from acute care to returning to daily life.” The unique and specialized care provided in these programs is essential to the continued recovery of ... read more
Team-Based Care Provides Quality Attention, Eases Doctor Shortage
A growing trend in health care is team-based care, in which several professionals with a wide range of skills and expertise work together to address patients’ varied health care needs. Although the concept is evolving and will require changes by everyone from ... read more
Medicaid in PA: Who Benefits?
Medical assistance, also known as Medicaid, provides many eligible Pennsylvanians the means to seek health and long-term-care coverage. read more
Healthy Me PA: Benny the Budget Part 3
Stay in the know about the budget process before it makes itself into legislation by June 30. read more
How Does Your Hospital Help You?
Check out how other programs hospitals provide to improve the health of the communities they serve. read more
A Nurse for All Needs
What’s the difference between a licensed practical nurse and a registered nurse? Find out here, and learn about other nurses you’ll meet in our hospitals. read more
Local Hospitals Assess and Address Needs of Whole Community
Your local hospital offers much more than emergency help and medical care. Within its walls and in the community, it offers programs that can improve your quality of life, be a support in difficult times, and help you take care of your friends and family. ... read more
Improving Pennsylvania’s Behavioral Health Treatment Options
Picture this: You or someone you love is experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Your No. 1 focus is finding effective treatment as soon as possible. For many, the first resource that comes to mind in this scenario is the nearest hospital ER (also called an ... read more
Vaccinations Aren’t Just For Children
From birth through our senior years, we should be following a schedule of vaccinations to prevent life-threatening diseases and keep ourselves and our communities healthy. Make sure you and your family are up to date with these CDC recommendations. Download Here read more
Partner with Your Hospital to Give Back to Your Community
Community members who volunteer to work at hospitals play crucial roles in enhancing the patient experience. These generous volunteers willingly give up their time to give back to the community in important ways. Volunteers allow doctors and nurses to focus on ... read more
WIC Nutrition Program Connects Babies and Moms to Healthy Foods
Healthy moms are a key component to ensuring healthy babies, but for some expectant women that’s a difficult task due to income instability or even lack of access to health care and nutritious food. These social determinants of health can impact how an expectant ... read more
SNAP: Working Daily to Build Healthy Communities
Many factors contribute to the health of individuals. While diet, exercise and genetics all play a role, some of the most overlooked factors impacting your health are social determinants. These can include your income, housing, education, geographic location, and ... read more
Tips for a Healthy Sports Season
From varsity track to travel soccer to peewee baseball, athletes of all ages and sizes have been hard at work getting their game on during this year’s spring sports season. Kids everywhere are on the move: In 2017, 56.5 percent of children ages 6-12 played at ... read more
Don’t Let Asthma Keep You Off the Field
Don't let asthma keep you off the field. read more
Important Tips for Filing Your Taxes
If you have a marketplace health insurance plan with premium tax credits, you have extra steps to follow to file your 2018 federal taxes. The premium tax credit is a refundable credit that helps eligible individuals and families cover their marketplace health ... read more
Your Job, Home, and Environment All Affect Your Health
Did you know that doctor’s visits and health care services account for only 20 percent of your health? Your health behaviors, like your diet and how much exercise you get, account for another 30 percent of your health. The rest of your health—a full ... read more
What Goes Into Your Health?
Download Now We break down the components of health even further with this infographic. Print it out, hang it up, and brainstorm ways that we can help connect communities with the services they need to be healthy. read more
Advocating for Yourself Can Improve Your Health Care
You know your body better than anyone else, so it makes perfect sense for you to be your own health advocate. Doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other health care settings are busy places—but don’t be afraid to speak up during your health care appointment and take ... read more
Hidden Symptoms of Brain Injuries
If you break an arm, chances are pretty good you’ll know you need medical attention. However, some injuries aren’t so clear-cut—maybe you feel fine immediately after a fender bender, a minor fall down the stairs, or after getting knocked over in that pickup soccer ... read more
Minor Symptoms Could Add up to Serious Illness
One of the biggest difficulties with some of the most serious diseases is that their symptoms may not be noticeable, don’t appear all at once, and easily could be attributed to just about any malady under the sun. Take, for instance, the following ... read more
Health Care Facilities Prime Targets of Workplace Violence
Every year, 2 million American workers report having been victims of workplace violence. The incidents of serious workplace violence are much more common in health care settings than in private industry. Serious workplace violence is defined as ... read more
Coronary Calcium Scan May Help to Identify Risk of Heart Disease
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Thousands of Americans are affected every day, but there are ways to catch the signs early and reduce your risk. The best way to lower your ... read more
How Pennsylvania Fights Food Insecurity
How can you be healthy if you don’t get enough nutritious food to eat? Unfortunately, research by Map the Meal Gap shows that, in Pennsylvania, roughly one in eight adults and one in six children struggle to be able to afford enough food. Fortunately, we have ... read more
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Provides Personalized Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
The Center for Disease Control has found that about one in five deaths in the U.S. is caused by heart disease, but completing a cardiac rehab program reduces risk of death by 47 percent and risk of heart attack by 31 percent. “Cardiac rehab is critically ... read more
Having a Cardiac Catheterization? Meet Your Care Team
If you and your primary care provider suspect you are having heart-related issues after less invasive testing, a cardiologist may recommend a cardiac catheterization (heart cath) to determine how well your heart is working and if you have disease of the heart ... read more
Medicaid to the Rescue for Majority of Nursing Home Residents
Medicaid has been in the news frequently, but it can be confusing to understand what it is precisely because it does so many things for the health of our communities. Medicaid is a lifeline for many nursing home residents. In fact, two-thirds of all ... read more
Medicaid is Vital to a Fully Functioning Health Care System
Did you know Medicaid funding helps keep the health care system we all count on humming and providing quality care for our communities? Medicaid is a combination state-federal program designed to help low-income families, children, and pregnant ... read more
The Faces of Medicaid
Medicaid is a federal-state health insurance program for low-income and people in need. It’s meant for children, pregnant women, senior citizens, people who are blind or have other disabilities, and other adults eligible to receive federally assisted income ... read more
PA Budget Is Important to Your Health
Gov. Tom Wolf announced his plan for a state budget this week. During the speech, he outlined spending priorities for issues ranging from education and infrastructure to the workforce and economic investment. The budget speech is the start of a traditionally long ... read more
Learning About Your Family’s Health History Can Help Your Future
If you knew you were more likely to develop future health problems, would you take preventive measures to lessen the chances of developing the condition or its severity? Although it might seem impossible to predict what our future holds in terms of health, the ... read more
Penn Medicine Develops Innovative Program to Improve High Blood Pressure Treatment for New Mothers
Penn Medicine has found that nearly 10 percent of pregnant women develop a dangerous high blood pressure condition known as preeclampsia during or a few days after pregnancy, even if they have no history of high blood pressure. This condition is ... read more
Is Your Heart at Risk?
You look healthy. You feel healthy. You must be healthy, right? Unfortunately, what goes through your head is not always aligned with your heart—more specifically, your heart health. We know that heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S., ... read more
How to Get the Most from Your Doctor’s Appointment
Life is busy. And you've got things you'd rather do than take a trip to the doctor's office. Whether you’re scheduling a routine checkup or seeking treatment for something specific, don’t make a trip to the doctor without making it worth your while. Harvard ... read more
Quick Tips for Contacting Elected Officials
Concerned about what the government is doing with health care, hospital funding, or Medicaid? Let your elected officials know! One of the most important things voters can do is share opinions with senators, representatives, and other officials so they can better ... read more
Welcome to Pulse on Policy from Healthy Me PA!
Congratulations on joining the readership of our first edition of Pulse on Policy. We heard the Healthy Me PA community loud and clear: You want more information on how the health care policy world works and the latest news on Pennsylvania health care ... read more
Health Care Issues: What’s Got You Losing Sleep?
Health care has topped the list of issues Americans are most concerned about five years in a row in an annual Gallup poll, and turmoil in the nation’s capital seems likely to keep it a concern. Here’s a quick look at what’s really up with some of the top ... read more
Eat Your Way to a Healthy Heart with These 3 Recipes
The new year means new resolutions, especially ones that relate to diet and exercise. While you’re building new, healthy habits, don’t neglect your heart! These three recipes will help keep your heart strong and healthy while keeping your stomach full throughout ... read more
New Year Brings Continued Debate on Health Care Issues
Although it’s a new year, many of the same health care issues continue to dominate Pennsylvania’s landscape. These include access to care, the opioid crisis, and telemedicine. We’ve seen measures of success on some of these fronts but still have strides to ... read more
2 Research-Based Ways to Form a Habit
Have you ever heard someone say, “It takes 21 days to develop a new habit”? If you have, recent studies have proven it wrong—it actually takes 66 days for something to become as much of a habit as it will ever become. You may have tried to make a new habit ... read more
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: Spreading the Word for Prevention
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, which spreads the word about cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV), and the importance of early detection. Nearly 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, but the disease is ... read more
Hospitals Unite to Fight Violence Across PA
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 2.3 million people are treated in U.S. emergency departments each year for injuries resulting from acts of violence. Because of the physical and emotional scars left on victims and the ... read more
Donate Blood: The Difference You Can Make
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. That means, in the time it took you to take a 10-minute shower this morning, 300 people were in serious need of a blood donation. Despite this dire need, less than 38 percent of the population is eligible to give ... read more
Try These Low-Calorie Recipes for Weight Loss
How can you lose weight yet still eat tasty foods? Discover three gourmet food recipes that are low on calories and facilitate weight loss. Instant Pot Turkey Stuffed Peppers: Cooking Light Ingredients 4 large multicolored bell peppers, tops cut off ... read more
Healthy Soup Recipes to Fill You Up and Warm You Up This Winter
Make soup your new best friend this winter! Eating soup is a simple way to get vegetables into your diet. Coming down with the sniffles? Studies have shown that a hearty bowl of chicken soup may help you to clear nasal congestion and have a mild anti-inflammatory ... read more
3 Healthy New Year’s Resolutions You Can Keep
With the new year around the corner, will you resolve to improve your health? Are you kicking yourself for not achieving your 2019 New Year’s resolutions? You’re not the only one. Thankfully, 2020 is just around the corner, affording you another opportunity to ... read more
The Importance of Knowing Your Blood Type
Do you know your blood type? Many people don’t, unless they donate blood regularly or have received an organ donation. But knowing your blood type can be important for many reasons. First, knowing your blood type can let you know if you are at risk for a variety ... read more
4 Healthy Sandwich Recipes
Try a new sandwich for lunch with one of these healthy alternatives. If you have been packing PB&J or turkey and cheese for lunch every day, it might be time to switch up your sandwich. It’s not too late to start loving your lunches again. If ... read more
Do Your Part to Curb Pennsylvania’s Opioid Crisis
A tool launched by Gov. Tom Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro last year will empower Pennsylvanians to report questionable prescription drug activity. The suspicious activity report form, part of the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Tool (PDMP), can be ... read more
How to Make New Year’s Resolutions You Can Achieve
Follow these tips for creating realistic goals you can keep. The New Year is often viewed as a time for fresh starts, a time for people to reflect on their past year’s behavior and promise to make positive lifestyle changes. These tips from the American ... read more
How to Reduce Stress Over the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, learn to take control of your stress with simple steps. From working and buying gifts to attending holiday parties, the holiday season is a time of fun, but it can also leave us feeling stressed as we try to fit every activity ... read more
Gifts for caregivers this holiday season
What gift do you give the people who spend their time giving to others all year long? Support and encouragement to start. There are more than 40 million unpaid caregivers of adults ages 65 and older in the United States. Of those 40 million, 90 ... read more
The Do’s and Don’ts of Visiting Loved Ones in the Hospital
When visiting a loved one in the hospital during the holidays, family members want to do everything they can to help. Make sure you have a safe, successful hospital visit by following these guidelines from Geisinger Holy Spirit. The holiday season is a great ... read more
The Health Benefits of Quinoa
Learn what quinoa is, how to cook it, and some of the health benefits this superfood packs. The holiday season is filled with gorging on delicious foods and enjoying their flavors. But, before you eat a regrettable amount of carbs, you should try something new, ... read more
New Year, New You: Schedule Health Screenings, Checkups
Get out your phone and open your online calendar or break out your paper planner for 2019 to make appointments for your good health. Depending on your age and gender, you’ll want to make time for the right doctor visits and health screenings to put ... read more
Find the Perfect Kids’ Gifts This Holiday Season
It can be difficult to know what to buy kids! Follow this children’s toy guide, and buy the best presents this year As the holiday season approaches, everyone strives to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones. Many people enjoy seeing the look on the ... read more
Know What Your Prescriptions Really Cost!
Thanks to a new federal law—the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act—your pharmacist is allowed to tell you how you might save money when filling your prescriptions. As crazy as it sounds, before this law, many pharmacists were prevented from sharing this ... read more
New ways to give on #GivingTuesday
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving. How will you get involved this year? The holiday season tends to fill everyone with a little extra thankfulness and merriment. With Thanksgiving coming up soon, many people are looking for ways to give back and express ... read more
5 Ways to Avoid Overeating at Thanksgiving
Tips to avoid eating everything at the Thanksgiving table With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s time to dig in to those savory foods we all know and love. Although those foods are delicious, we should eat them in moderation. So how can you stay ... read more
3 Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Leftovers
When it comes to Thanksgiving, we tend to make a ton of food. But what exactly do you do with the leftovers? Thanksgiving leftovers are great—they generally heat up well and allow you to continue the delicious holiday meal for days after it’s over. ... read more
8 Survival Tips for Thanksgiving Dinner Conversations
No matter how well intentioned everyone is at the holidays, uncomfortable conversations around the dinner table can sneak up on us and ruin the day. Considering that the American Psychological Association’s 2017 Stress in America Survey found that 27 percent of ... read more
Diabetes 101: St. Clair Hospital Gives Healthy Me PA a Crash Course
November is National Diabetes Month — a month to spread awareness about the diabetes epidemic that is impacting Americans, and to educate people about lifestyle habits and choices that can increase or lessen the risk of developing diabetes. According to the ... read more
How to avoid a cold-induced asthma attack
As summer turns into fall, temperatures drop, which often excites people who enjoy watching the seasons change. For those living with asthma, changing seasons create new triggers that can provoke asthma attacks. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects about ... read more
Make a New Family Tradition this Holiday Season: Talk about Your Health
Starting at the end of November, the holiday season begins. And you know what that means: more time with family! Holidays are known for bringing everyone together, enjoying delicious food, classic games, and family traditions. This year, Healthy Me PA proposes ... read more
How to Talk to Loved Ones about Insurance
For those we care about, it can be difficult to confront them about more serious topics, like health insurance. Look out for your friends and family to make sure they have health insurance this year. As the period for open enrollment begins soon, make sure ... read more
Vote for Your Health Care
The November 6 election features races in all but one of Pennsylvania’s 18 newly drawn congressional districts, as well as contests for a U.S. Senate seat and Pennsylvania governor. All Pennsylvania state House seats are open, and half of the Senate seats are, as ... read more
Germ Alert! The Everyday Places Where Germs Are Hiding
As we approach winter, it’s important to keep our immune systems strong and limit the amount of germs we come into contact with. Washing our hands often is critical, especially because we’ll be spending more time indoors with others, where germs can be shared ... read more
Give Thanks Differently This Year
There are many reasons that giving back through volunteering is a great thing to do for you and your community—especially around the holiday dedicated to giving thanks. This Thanksgiving, you can try volunteering at a food bank and serving people who are less ... read more
Why Are Diabetes Rates so High in Pennsylvania?
Why are diabetes rates so high in Pennsylvania, and what can be done to lower them? Incidences of diabetes are on the rise across America, and Pennsylvania is no exception. More than 1.3 million Pennsylvanians have diabetes, and an additional 3 ... read more
Don’t Leave Your Health Care Dollars on the Table
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA), don’t leave your money on the table at the end of the year. FSAs are employer-provided plans that allow employees to direct pretax dollars into an account to pay for qualified medical or dependent care ... read more
Penn Votes Project: Making Sure the Unexpected Won’t Keep Hospital Patients from Voting
If you were eligible to vote in the 2016 presidential election, you probably remember how politically charged the election was. It was a long race filled with debates, rallies, and heated discussions. No matter who you were voting for, you, like many voters, ... read more
Germ Alert! 6 Household Items Dirtier than a Toilet Seat
When we think about germ-filled environments, we tend to think of places with a lot of people passing through, such as the subway or a public bathroom. The scary thing is, some of the most germ-filled items we come in contact with are in the comfort of our own ... read more
Tips for Tough End-of-Life Care Discussions
Having discussions about end-of-life discussions can be tough. Here are some tips to help these conversations go a little more smoothly. read more
Your Loved One Becomes a Hospice Patient: Healthy Resources to Cope with Grief
Having a family member become a hospice patient is difficult—sometimes unbearable. But you are not alone. 1.43 million Medicare patients were enrolled in hospice care in 2016 alone, and most of them had a loving family member just like you. Dealing ... read more
Know the Difference: Hospice vs. Palliative Care
End-of-life care decisions can cause stress for families, especially when they are choosing what kind of care to provide, understanding which programs an individual is eligible for, and deciding when to administer medical aid. Luckily, there are resources ... read more
How to Cope With Anxiety or Panic Attacks at Work
If you experience anxiety, you probably know that stress makes it worse. Unfortunately, work is a place where stress commonly occurs. Getting stressed at work happens to everyone, and it’s perfectly normal. But stress that is persistent and impairs ... read more
Telemedicine: The Perfect Fit for Immunodeficiency Patients
Telemedicine can be of great assistance to people with immunodeficiency disorders, which are conditions that disrupt your body’s ability to defend itself against bacteria. The most common forms of immunodeficiency disorders are HIV/AIDs and common variable ... read more
Know When to Get Checked for Breast Cancer
Many cancers can be caught before you have symptoms. And the earlier the cancer is detected, the better your options are for treatments and the better your chances of beating the disease. Breast cancer is no different. Breast cancer is the second ... read more
4 Myths and Facts About Breast Cancer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while we are aware of all of the pink ribbons, pink-themed sports events, and local walks on the subject, there are many myths about breast cancer we might not know are untrue. Here are four myths and ... read more
Tips for Picking the Best Health Plan during November Open Enrollment
Late fall traditionally marks Open Enrollment, the time when many of us need to select our health insurance plans for the new year. This article was updated on October 1, 2019. Whether you receive your health care coverage on your own through a place such as ... read more
Open Enrollment: Hospitals that Can Help Connect You to Your Insurance
Marketplace Open Enrollment 2019 on healthcare.gov Understanding health insurance can be difficult. There is no question why we all need health insurance, because it covers a great deal of medical expenses and protects you from many unexpected high costs. The ... read more
Heart Health Tips for Women
People commonly think only about how heart disease affects men. In actuality, heart disease affects women, too. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease and stroke cause one in three women’s deaths each year, while one in 30 women dies ... read more
Don’t Let a Busy Fall Schedule Become Unmanageable
It’s almost time for fall, and that means back to school and back to work, without all of the vacations. With the hustle and bustle of fall around the corner, try these five helpful tips to keep your busy schedule manageable. Create a schedule—and stick ... read more
6 Tips for Joggers Who Run Alone
Staying healthy and active is great throughout the fall season, especially before winter weather forces you to stay inside. If you enjoy being active, and often run or jog outside, it's important to be mindful of your safety, especially if you run alone. So, ... read more
Do Anti-aging Creams Really Work?
What are anti-aging creams, and how do they work? Anti-aging—or anti-wrinkle—creams are intended to reduce wrinkles and slow the skin’s aging process. These creams moisturize your skin to maintain its elasticity and prevent it from cracking. The result is ... read more
How to Tell if a Friend is Misusing Opioids: Do Your Part to Combat the Opioid Epidemic
The numbers and facts surrounding the opioid epidemic in our country are staggering. Much of the data suggest that young people are more susceptible to opioid misuse than ever. More than two-thirds of people in drug treatment for opioids reported their first use ... read more
3 Causes and 3 Remedies for Clogged Ears
Clogged ears are a nuisance that many people experience. Clogged ears are what happens when something blocks the ear canal and makes it difficult for you to hear. Sometimes, your ears unclog themselves in a few days. If you want to know why your ears get clogged ... read more
UPMC Susquehanna Promotes Employee Wellness
When a company’s employees are healthy, they can be more productive and happier in the workplace, but if employees are consistently calling off due to sickness or other chronic illnesses, it can impact a company’s bottom line. UPMC Susquehanna is ... read more
How the Holistic Living Challenge is Changing the Lives of Cancer Patients
There is no shortage of good information on self-care in the world. But how can you weed through all the information and find something you can actually stick to? The Holistic Living Challenge helps cancer patients and their families learn information and ... read more
How to Find a Therapist in PA: What You Need to Know
We all experience ups and downs. We have periods when everything around us is going great, and we also experience times when everything seems to be crashing down at once. When we are faced with negative feelings about situations we deem too out of ... read more
PA Lawmakers Need to Expand Telemedicine Access
The people living in rural Pennsylvania represent about 27 percent of our state’s population. That’s about one in four of us Pennsylvanians. Like everyone, rural Pennsylvanians expect to have, need, and use health care services. But, because of where they live, ... read more
Telemedicine: Not Just for Your Phone
The concept of telemedicine is made possible through the development of telecommunications technology, which is the means of sending information over a distance in the form of electromagnetic signals. Telemedicine takes telecommunications technology and applies it ... read more
Push PA Telemedicine Bill Over the Goal Line This Fall
Pennsylvania hospitals and health care professionals are using telemedicine services to save lives and keep patients healthy, but we need additional legislative action to protect consumers and expand access to that care. The Pennsylvania Senate passed a ... read more
What Is Cholesterol? Here’s What You Need to Know
You probably know that having high cholesterol is a bad thing healthwise, but do you know what cholesterol is and what it does? Many people do not. Cholesterol itself isn’t a bad thing; it is essential for our bodies to function. Cholesterol is a waxy substance ... read more
Health Insurance Deductibles: 10 FAQs Answered
Health insurance can be confusing. In order to compare different health plans and get the best plan for you and your family, you must understand a lot of complex terminology. There are premiums, HMOs, PPOs, allowed amounts, and much more in any health insurance ... read more
Mythbusters: The Truth About Cholesterol
What do you know about cholesterol? Here are the most common myths and facts about cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Myth: You don’t need a cholesterol check until middle age. Fact: The AHA recommends that adults 20 and ... read more
The Truth Is in Your Numbers—Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol
The bad news is high cholesterol can have a negative effect and put you at risk when it comes to your cardiovascular health. The good news is high cholesterol can be lowered, which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. The key is knowing your ... read more
Short-Term Duration Insurance Policies: Filling Gaps in Coverage
Have you ever heard of a short-term health insurance policies? They are plans designed to provide coverage for a limited time when you are between insurance policies. For example, if you are a student taking a semester off of school or you are between jobs, ... read more
The Opioid Epidemic: How WellSpan is Making a Difference
The opioid epidemic continues to escalate across the U.S. and within communities in Pennsylvania. Opioid addiction is a chronic disease and its proper clinical designation is opioid use disorder, or OUD. This disease doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone, ... read more
Racing Heart Could Be Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation—commonly called Afib—is an irregular, often rapid heart rate characterized by palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath. It can lead to stroke, heart disease, heart failure, and other complications. During Afib, the atria—the ... read more
Preventing Opioid Abuse and Addiction with Awareness
The opioid crisis is a national epidemic that continues to grow throughout Pennsylvania and across the country. More than 63,000 Americans died as a result of a drug overdose during 2016. That number will likely continue to rise. An estimated 2 million ... read more
Protecting and Preserving Children’s Eye Health Year-Round
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. Because children usually won’t take precautions for their eye health themselves, it’s important that parents and family members play an active role in their children’s vision health. Because so much of ... read more
Is a Wearable Fitness Tracker for You?
For years now, wearable fitness trackers have been trending in the health-and-wellness world. Some people love how wearing a fitness tracker motivates them to get moving, while others just love the data it tracks—from your daily step count to your fitness ... read more
Jam Out to This Workout Playlist
Is your workout lacking some good jams? Take your exercising to the next level with this playlist! Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones I Wanna Get Better - Bleachers Don't Bring Me Down - Electric Light Orchestra Run Wild - Thutmose ft. NoMBe ... read more
Telemedicine: Myths and facts
Change can be scary, but change for the better makes everything worth it. With every upgraded phone model that comes out and every update we are notified about on our phones, there are always new things to get used to and small changes made for the better. Just ... read more
Preventing Diseases: The Importance of Preventive Care
Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart disease and cancer are the nation’s top two killers, with diabetes—another preventable disease—also appearing in ... read more
Prepping Children with Autism to Go Back to School
Children have mixed feelings about going back to school. For some, it’s exciting to see all of their friends they missed over the summer. For others, the idea of leaving the freedom of summer behind sounds like anything but fun. For children with autism, the ... read more
How to Keep Your Child’s Chronic Illness Under Control at School
Health can be a day-by-day or hour-by-hour matter for kids with chronic illnesses. Going to school with their peers requires careful planning and attention to detail to keep them safe and healthy. If you’re a parent in this situation, you may be ... read more
Don’t Wait, Vaccinate! The Importance of Immunizations
Pennsylvania is known for many things––our role in the American Revolution; our vast rural landscape; our chocolate; and our sports teams. U.S. News ranks Pennsylvania 16th out of the 50 states when it comes to economic opportunity and 26th in health care quality, ... read more
Do-It-Yourself School Lunch Recipes
With the school year around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about school lunches. This year, take pressure off yourself and have your kids help pack their own lunches. Teaching them to make their own lunches will save you time and allow them to pick foods ... read more
St. Luke’s Comprehensive Spine Program: Getting Back-Pain Patients Relief Faster
Hospitals in Pennsylvania are constantly innovating to improve the quality of care they deliver to patients. St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Comprehensive Spine program, launched in August 2018, is a perfect example. Comprehensive Spine is a ... read more
Cure Your Ice Cream Cravings with Healthier Options
It’s summertime, and you know what that means: It’s time to eat lots and lots of ice cream. You eat it, your kids eat it, even your dog eats it. We love to eat ice cream, but what we don’t love is all of the unhealthy stuff that comes with ... read more
Rare and Less Common Cancers: Why They Are All the More Dangerous
Cancer has touched most of our lives in some form or another. Whether we know a family member who has battled this disease or a friend who has gone into remission, cancer has made an appearance in most of our stories. Even the healthiest of people can fall victim. ... read more
Telemed in PA: How Technology is Changing Health Care for the Better
Telemedicine is changing the way Pennsylvanians access health care. Using electronic communications technology, including two-way video, email, smartphones, and wireless tools, providers can deliver high-quality health care to patients. Telemedicine ... read more
The Lowdown on the New Medicare Cards: Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Starting May of this year, new Medicare cards are being mailed to nearly 60 million people who receive benefits across America, Pennsylvania Medicare enrollees included. Medicare will mail your new card at no cost to the address you have on file with the Social ... read more
Enhancing Emergency Care: Titusville Area Hospital Wins Excellence in Care Award
To recognize hospitals that are making outstanding efforts in Pennsylvania communities, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania began its Excellence in Care awards. This year, Titusville Area Hospital was highlighted for enhancing its emergency ... read more
Real Doctors in Real Time
With its rapid advancements and constant new developments, technology can often be overwhelming. You might be nervous about using your mobile device or computer to get in contact with the doctor when you need to. But don’t worry — when you use telemedicine ... read more
Travel Smart This Summer: 4 Tips for a Safe Vacation
Vacations are a wonderful time for you and your family to relax and reconnect. But planning a trip for the entire family can be overwhelming. Are you responsible for organizing the logistics of travel and getting ready for a safe trip? With proper preparation, ... read more
What You Should Know About Your Medications
If you’re required to take medication on a schedule, you know how easily it can become part of your daily routine. It’s important to know as much as you can about medications and to be informed about what you're taking—from the way a medication interacts with ... read more
Before You Take the Pill, Know the Side Effects
A prescription medication might be the answer to your illness, but stay alert for side effects, which are unexpected, often unpleasant, reactions to a drug. Side effects can range from drowsiness to more serious ones such as an increased risk of heart attack; it ... read more
Is it Important to Take Your Medications on Time?
Oftentimes, doctors prescribe medications that need to be taken at specific times throughout the day. This may lead you to ask if taking your medications at specific times is important, and the answer is yes. Why? Taking medicine on time, as prescribed, is ... read more
Telemed From the Comfort of Your Home
With telemedicine, your living room can be your waiting room. But that's just the beginning of telemedicine's benefits! read more
Telemed Has You Covered When You Travel
Have you ever become ill or injured on vacation or while traveling? Finding the nearest urgent care center or emergency room in a new place and arranging transportation can add unnecessary anxiety to a stressful situation. Telemedicine puts these ... read more
World Hepatitis Day: New Cases Are on the Rise
July 28 is World Hepatitis Day, a day designated for awareness and education about the different types of viral hepatitis that impact millions all over the globe. Viral hepatitis is the group of infectious diseases including hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, and ... read more
Take Control of Your Asthma Today
One of asthma’s most frustrating qualities is its episodic nature—it comes and goes, often flaring unpredictably. Did you know there’s a way you can keep track of every asthma attack, whether minor or severe? The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ... read more
Parents, Kids Can Breathe Easier with Asthma Summer Camps
Parents of children with asthma often are concerned with their children's well-being, especially when playing. This can lead parents to hinder their children’s attempts to take part in physical activities. Asthma camps offer a unique solution. These camps are ... read more
Asthma: A Lesson in Life and Lung Management
Asthma is a chronic disease that causes your airways to become inflamed, making it difficult to breathe. The severity of the affliction varies from person to person. For some, it is minor. For others, it interferes with daily activities. In some cases, attacks are ... read more
Kids Can Get Arthritis, Too
We typically think of arthritis as something that affects the joints of adults, especially as they grow older. However, arthritis is also found in children, whose bones are still growing. The condition in children is called juvenile arthritis (JA). ... read more
Telehealth Services Could Improve PA Mental Health Care Shortage
Getting the mental health help you need when you need it shouldn’t depend on where you live. Unfortunately, 30 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties lack sufficient numbers of mental health providers to meet the demand. In contrast, 14 counties have ... read more
Pennsylvania’s Budget Maintains Important Funding for Special Hospital Programs
Most everyone needs and uses health care at some point in their lives. You really should understand government policies and proposals about health care. They affect you, your family, and your community! Issues from hospital funding to insurance coverage, ... read more
Dr. Amer Samdani Gives Professional Insights on Scoliosis and the SpineScreen App
Scoliosis is defined as abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. It affects 6 million to 9 million people in the U.S., according to Dr. Amer Samdani, chief of surgery at Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia and an expert on scoliosis. The three ... read more
Washington Health Lowers Readmissions for CHF Patients
When we’re hospitalized for a condition, no matter how mild or severe, we receive the best care and treatment from nurses, physicians, and many others during our hospital stay—until we go home. For some of us, the transition is simple. We take it slowly—one ... read more
Don’t Let Your Health Keep You Down When Traveling
For many of us, summer time is travel time! Whether you are planning to travel in the U.S. or abroad, here are some tips to make sure you don’t leave your health behind. Healthy Travel Checklist Get informed about your destination. Know how to stay ... read more
Humans Run on H2O: Stay Hydrated with These Tips
Getting dehydrated can be dangerous for anyone, but especially older adults, young children, and people who work or exercise outside in the heat. The good news is, dehydration is preventable. There are simple ways you can work water into your routine. Many ... read more
How Hot is Too Hot to Exercise Outside?
Because Pennsylvania has long-lasting winters and cold weather that often lingers into springtime, everyone wants to be outside as much as possible when summertime emerges. Exercising in the warm weather can be beneficial for your health. But, if ... read more
Signs of Dehydration: When Your Body is Telling You You Need H20
When you were in school as a kid, you might remember hearing that our bodies are made up of mostly water. To stay hydrated, we have to make sure we take in more water than we lose during the day. We lose water when we breathe, go to the bathroom, and ... read more
Keep Your Kids Health, But Don’t Forget About Yourself
School’s out, and the kids are home for summer. Suddenly your daily routine isn’t much of a routine at all. Don’t forget about yourself when you’re shuttling around the kids and trying to keep them in good health this summer. Making sure that your ... read more
Keep Your Kids Happy and Healthy This Summer
Every kid’s favorite day is that last day of school before summer officially begins, but it might not be every parent’s favorite day. Now that the kids are home, parents have to make sure their children aren’t eating too much junk food or watching too much TV and ... read more
Should You Be an Early Riser or a Night Owl?
The debate rages among early bird exercisers and night owl enthusiasts over who gets the best boost from their exercise time. So who's right? Everyone, according to the American Heart Association. The best time to work out depends solely on what is best for you. ... read more
Telehealth Programs Bring Expert Care to Local Burn Victims
If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, your local hospital can quickly get help, through a TeleBurn program, to determine whether specialized care is needed. Using a secure TeleBurn app, practitioners at a local hospital can take photos of burn ... read more
Diverse Populations Suffer in Mental Health Care Access, Treatment
While it can be difficult for most Americans to get proper mental health care, studies are showing it’s even harder for diverse and minority populations. Minorities face more challenges … While everyone faces the same obstacles in seeking mental ... read more
The Facts About ‘Dry Drowning’
As summer comes into full swing, reports about “dry drowning” will become more commonplace. These reports will claim that so-called dry drowning occurs without water entering the lungs. However, the American Red Cross, World Health Organization (WHO) and ... read more
4 Do’s and Don’ts for Proper Grilling and Food Safety
A backyard barbecue is a great way to spend time with your loved ones. Follow these four do’s and don’ts to ensure the food you serve is cooked safety and properly. Do: Take the temperatures of all meats Before you take a hamburger patty or chicken ... read more
Grilling Safety: Tips for Charcoal and Propane Grills
Nothing says summer quite like an outdoor barbecue with friends and family. Be sure to take the right precautions to keep this fun event safe. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) reports that from 2011 to 2015 grills were involved in 9,600 home fires each ... read more
From Fruit to Fish, It Can All Go on the Grill
Hot dogs on the grill may scream summer—but consider changing up your outdoor cooking routine with these healthy options. Grilled cauliflower burgers or steaks. Carve a head into inch-thick slices, add a little olive oil, salt, and pepper—or spices ... read more
Discover the Benefits of Dementia Assessment Screenings
If you were 55 or 65 years old in 1920, you would have been considered “old” or “very old,” respectively. Today, with a longer life expectancy, the definition of “old” has changed. Many adults are now living beyond age 65. And, while old age is just ... read more
Grab Your Mat—The Fourth International Day of Yoga is Here
During 2014, an International Day for Yoga was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly. All told, 177 nations co-sponsored the bill—the highest number of co-sponsors ever for a measure at the UN. That same year, the UN declared June 21 as the ... read more
Launching ‘Fit This In’ Podcast: Get the Rundown on the Latest Health Trends
Ever wonder which health and fitness trends actually work? Or which trends are useful for the everyday person? If so, “Fit This In” is for you. “Fit This In” is a new podcast in which four friends try the latest health trends—so you can get an honest take on what ... read more
It’s Not Just a Headache: Addressing the Migraine Stigma
It’s just a headache. How many times have you or someone you know said this? Some of us misunderstand and downplay the severity of migraines, thinking of them as a minor affliction preventing people from taking part in daily life. Dr. Dolores ... read more
Learn Alzheimer’s Warning Signs: Be aware of these 10 typical problems
As people age, changes occur all over the body, including in the brain. You might not always remember things as well as before, or you might misplace your glasses and keys more frequently. While this is typically simple forgetfulness, it’s good to know the signs ... read more
Naloxone: Get the Facts You Need to Know
Learn how you can access naloxone to aid in an opioid overdose, and where you can receive training to administer it to someone in need. With the opioid epidemic happening across Pennsylvania and throughout the U.S., it’s more important than ever that ... read more
How to Help a Loved One with an Opioid Addiction
The opioid crisis has taken its toll on many Pennsylvania families and others across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 18 out of 100 Americans have used illicit drugs or misused prescription medications. An average of ... read more
6 Pain-Relief Alternatives to Opioids
Doctors are working to ensure the safe use of opioid-based prescription medications as a first line of pain control, particularly for chronic pain sufferers. Some health care professionals and patients are exploring the use of complementary and alternative ... read more
Don’t Let Unexpected Illness or Injury Ruin Your Trip This Summer
Vacation season is officially here! You and your family have had it planned for months and you are double-checking your packing list to make sure you aren’t forgetting anything. Because it’s impossible to plan for anything and everything, bring your doctor with ... read more
You Are What You Eat—Make Food Your Medicine
We’ve all heard it: “You are what you eat.” Although it is a cliche, the idea behind the saying is that what you eat directly correlates with your body’s health. With master’s degrees in nutrition science and public health, Cynthia Sass consults ... read more
Prone to Migraines: Now What?
It’s official—you and your doctor have discovered you are prone to migraines. What can you do to relieve the pain? According to Mayo Clinic, there are simple steps to “head off” the pain. While medication is a proven way to treat and prevent ... read more
Migraine or Headache: What’s the Difference?
Most people have encountered headaches at one time or another. But have your headaches ever been so bad or lasted so long that you think they might be a migraine? How do you tell the difference? When it comes to pain or pressure in your head, ... read more
Knowing Your Type of Migraine: The Key to Getting the Relief
Migraines can be caused by different factors, including age, environment, diet, and other lifestyle choices. According to the American Migraine Foundation, there are nine different types of migraines. They say pinpointing the cause of a migraine can ... read more
Be a Hero this Summer—Donate Blood! Be a Hero this Summer—Donate Blood!
At any time of the year, an accident or illness can strike a family member or friend, leaving someone you care about in need of blood. Despite the yearlong likelihood of an accident or illness, the number of new blood donors drastically declines over the ... read more
Telehealth is covered in 32 states. Why not in Pennsylvania?
In 32 states and the District of Columbia, health care services conveniently delivered via smart phones, computers, and other electronic communications are generally covered by insurers. These states, along with our nation’s capitol, have legislation that requires ... read more
Who’s The Stubborn Man in Your Life?
Who’s the stubborn guy in your life when it comes to his health? Women live longer than men by more than five years. There are many reasons that this trend has developed—but one of the biggest is that women are 100 percent more likely to visit the ... read more
Men’s Health Crisis: A Problem Impacting American Men
“There is a silent health crisis in America. … It’s the fact that, on average, American men live sicker and die younger than American women,” Dr. David Gremillion from Men’s Health Network said. During the last 30 years, life expectancy for men has dropped in ... read more
It’s Time for Men to Talk About Mental Health
Mental illness continues to carry the burden of stigma. Unfortunately, this stigma can cause people to avoid seeking help from doctors or admitting to loved ones that they have mental health challenges out of fear of being judged or treated ... read more
Your Mental Health and You – It’s OK to Not Be OK
It’s easy to say you need help from a medical professional when you are bleeding or you have broken a bone. It’s harder to admit you need help when the pain you are feeling isn’t visible on the outside and is difficult to express with words. We’re here to ... read more
Impact of Social Media on Kids and Teens – Communication is Key
Today, children and teens grow up in a world of cellphones and constant online connection. Technology and social media can be a positive way for us to connect. At the same time, the negative effects they can have on developing minds can be dangerous. It is ... read more
Sun Protection Tips from the CDC
One of the best parts of summer is getting the long-awaited dose of vitamin D from the sun. Although concern over developing skin cancer from harmful ultraviolet rays is valid, you shouldn’t avoid all exposure to the sun this summer. You just have to find the ... read more
Poisoned by the Sun? Here’s How to Know
Sunshine can boost your mood. But it can also have serious effects on your skin if you aren’t paying attention. The result could be a sunburn or something even more severe: sun poisoning. Sun poisoning describes a more dangerous form of sunburn, one that ... read more
Visit Your Doctor Regularly Once You Turn 50
No matter how well you’ve taken care of yourself, once you’ve made it to 50, you need to commit to paying more attention to your health. This is the time of life when you might start to notice joint pain, skin changes, or maybe weight creep with a slowing ... read more
Here Are 6 Places to Take a Hike in PA
What better way to enjoy the warmer weather than with a scenic hike through the great outdoors? We’re lucky to have a number of beautiful trails to choose from, no matter where you live in Pennsylvania. Here are a few of our favorites for hikers of all skill ... read more
Fit Fitness Into Your Routine
Summer is just around the corner, making now the perfect time to get in shape. Don’t let finances, recovering from an injury, or time stand in the way of achieving your goals. Fitness on a budget Getting in shape doesn’t have to be expensive. This ... read more
4 Benefits of Self-Love and Why It’s Important
Learn what self-love is and how you can benefit from practicing it every day. Do you tell yourself I love you? Do you smile when you look in the mirror? Do you take time out of your day for you? Each of these questions alludes to one thing: a positive ... read more
Mental Health Month: Shutting Down the Stigma
May is Mental Health Month, designated to raise awareness and spread the word about why mental health is just as important as physical health. Unfortunately, the stigma of mental illness persists in our society even today. Approximately 43.8 million ... read more
Addressing Your Child’s Health—That Means Mental Health, Too
May is Mental Health Month, designated to raise mental health awareness and spread the word about why mental health is just as important as physical health. Stigma pegs mental illness as a weakness or something to be ashamed of. Even though one in ... read more
Chronic Diseases and Conditions: An Overview
Chronic diseases and conditions are “among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of 2012, half of the U.S. adult population—approximately 117 million people—had one ... read more
Talking to Kids About Health Issues: Plan What You’ll Say First
Discussing health issues such as a chronic illness or end-of-life decisions with your children, whether they’re young or young adults, can be stressful for everyone. But if you plan what you’ll say, how you’ll say it, and how you’ll answer questions, you can ... read more
Trauma Units Provide Specialty Care to Critically Injured in PA
Allegheny General Hospital’s Shock Trauma Unit is one of 38 in Pennsylvania providing extensive care to critically ill and injured patients. Since its establishment in 1979, the trauma unit and its specialized medical services and resources have been helping the ... read more
Temple Center for Population Health Tackles Hunger
“Have you in the past 12 months had to worry about food running out?” This is one of the two questions community health workers ask recently discharged hospital patients at the Temple Center for Population Health, an institute created by Temple University Health ... read more
Reinventing Medical Education in Philadelphia
In a first-of-its-kind program for a U.S. medical school, students at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University add a focus on creativity and design to their medical educations. In the JeffDESIGN program, medical students are equipped ... read more
At Summit Primary Care, Children’s Wellness Visits Include Checkups—On Reading!
Children who visit doctors at Summit Primary Care might find their way to one of the book nooks at four locations in the health system. Filled with books for children of all ages, the nook is a place for children to read during their visit. What’s more, they ... read more
Grocery Shopping Tips from Summit Health’s Community Services
Healthy Me PA spoke with Leslie Stine, a registered dietitian with Summit Health, to learn how Summit Health's Community Services are providing extended nutritional services through a grocery shopping tours program. The grocery shopping tours ... read more
Did You Know: Mother’s Day Started in Pennsylvania
After her mother passed away in 1905, Miss Anna Jarvis wanted to recognize her life and started campaigning for a national day to honor all mothers. Her mother, known as Mother Jarvis, was an Appalachian homemaker and activist who had organized “Mother's Work ... read more
Telemedicine: Bridging the Gap for Diabetes Patients
Telemedicine is the new frontier when it comes to giving patients better access to timely health care, by eliminating many of the traditional barriers patients face, such as time, distance, money, and doctor availability. From dermology and burn care to cardiology ... read more
Learn How Four Telestroke Centers in Pennsylvania Work to Save Lives
In Pennsylvania, strokes are the fourth most common cause of death. Doctors say the immediate steps you take after having a stroke are crucial. A stroke occurs when there is a sudden interruption in the blood supply going to the brain. Some strokes can occur when ... read more
5 Ways to Show Appreciation This Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Let’s honor the women in our lives who work tirelessly to make sure we’re all taken care of! Show your mom how much you care with these five simple ideas. Small Gesture Moms are always finding ways to brighten ... read more
PA Hospitals Develop a Challenge for National Donate Life Month
In Pennsylvania, April is when we feel we are finally out of the woods for snowfalls, and the frequent rainy days bring nature back to life around us. April is also known for April Fools’ Day, though many of us have no idea why. What many people might not know is ... read more
Penn Center for Community Health Workers: Making a Difference in Their Community
Penn Center for Community Health Workers has served more than 6,000 high-risk patients in Philadelphia, working to improve their health and reducing their hospitalizations by 30 percent. The secret? The center’s 60 full-time employees help patients with everything ... read more
Use the Force and These Tips for a Healthier Summer
Want to make this summer your healthiest yet? Accomplishing your summer health goals doesn’t require traveling to a galaxy far, far away to become a Jedi master. All it takes is following some simple tips we’ve learned from watching—and re-watching—the original ... read more
Wayne Memorial Hospital Implements Tele-neonatology For Infants
Healthy Me PA sat down with Michele Churney, RN, James Pettinato, RN, and Marybeth Dastalfo, RN, at Wayne Memorial Hospital to learn about tele-neonatology. Churney is the clinical services manager; Pettinato is the director of patient care Services; and Dastalfo ... read more
Every Dog Has Its Day at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
It’s the early afternoon at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, and there’s something going around. Symptoms vary, but commonly, patients have reported experiencing uncontrollable smiles or a sudden urge to snuggle. With it come unexpected sounds for a ... read more
Telemedicine: This Isn’t the Future, It’s the Present
The concept of telemedicine use to seem like it was something out of the movies in the 1980s. No, this isn't the future. This is the present. On June 13, 2018, the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 780 to expand telemedicine across the ... read more
Do You Know the Truth About Alcohol Consumption?
As the end of summer gets closer, so do the end-of-summer parties. While the legal drinking age is 21, studies reveal that more teens and young adults are drinking earlier than allowed. With so much of the population drinking, it’s important to ... read more
Five Tips for End-of-life Health Planning
Advance planning for a health care crisis or end-of-life decisions are some of the hardest conversations families have. But planning now for what you or your family members want to happen with care and treatment near the end of life will ensure your wishes are ... read more
Expanding access to telemedicine in PA
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf knows the benefits telemedicine can bring to thousands of Pennsylvanians living in rural communities. He recently announced he would provide $35 million to providers to expand high-speed internet access to communities in the state with ... read more
Questions You Should Ask About Your Company’s Health Insurance Options
Whether you have just been offered a job or you have decided to go on your company’s insurance plan, you don’t want any surprises with regard to your health care coverage. Before signing anything, read the fine print and ask these eight questions to know what to ... read more
Understanding Meltdown Triggers in Children with Autism
If your child or someone you know has autism, chances are good that they’ve exhibited some challenging behaviors at some point and maybe even suffered a so-called “meltdown.” While autism itself doesn’t cause the behaviors, these meltdowns often are the result of ... read more
Get the ABCs of What It Means to Be on the Autism Spectrum
Because cases of autism have increased tenfold over the last 40 years, it is increasingly common to hear that a child is “on the spectrum.” What exactly does that mean? Envision a rainbow or an umbrella. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder—a group of ... read more
PA Hospitals on the Fronts Lines of Autism Research, Treatments
While trained clinicians often can recognize autism signs in a child as young as 18 months, the reality is that most children aren’t diagnosed until they’ve already missed significant developmental milestones, according to the Children’s Hospital ... read more
How to Determine if You Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period
Being without health care coverage can put extra stress on you and your family. If you—or someone you know—is without health insurance due to a job change or other life event, you may still be able to enroll in a health plan outside of the normal ... read more
Healthy Mothers and Babies in PA: The Need for Obstetric and NICU Services
Each year, more than 135,000 babies are born in Pennsylvania hospitals. Care of childbearing women and their newborns is by far the leading reason for hospitalization in the U.S. This makes perfect sense considering that roughly 99 percent of American mothers give ... read more
Telemedicine: Avoiding the Rain
When an illness or injury strikes but “spring showers” are in full bloom, you don’t have to risk driving in the rain. Try telemedicine! read more
Trauma Centers: Treating the Most Serious Injuries
Along with emergency medical services and hospital emergency rooms, hospital trauma centers are an important part of Pennsylvania’s emergency care system. Patients suffering the most severe, life-threatening injuries, such as car crashes, are taken to hospital ... read more
Housecleaning Doesn’t Need to Be Harsh for Your Health
When we are cleaning, we tend to ignore the effects some products have on our health. Take a moment to think about your cleaning supplies—and consider substituting some gentler alternatives. Have you ever suffered eye or skin irritation from a ... read more
Could You Be Allergic to Your Home?
Indoor allergens may be following you throughout your home. During 2017, one of the largest allergen studies to date found that 90 percent of homes had three or more detectable allergens, according to the National Institutes of Health. These allergens can be ... read more
Organ Donors Save Lives
We all have it inside ourselves to save lives. With two simple words—organ donor—on your driver’s license, you can be a lifesaver. United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), a nonprofit organization that manages the U.S. organ transplant system, notes ... read more
Become an Organ Donor and Save Lives with Your Driver’s License or Photo ID
All it takes to save lives are two words on your driver’s license: organ donor. Donate Life Pennsylvania reports that someone in Pennsylvania dies every 18 hours waiting for an organ transplant. By adding the organ donor designation to your driver’s ... read more
Myths and Facts About Organ Donation
While 95 percent of U.S. adults support organ donation, only 54 percent are registered donors, according U.S. Government Information on Organ Donation and Transplantation. Part of the reason for this disconnect is a number of myths around organ donation. Here are ... read more
For Older Adults, Falls Are the No. 1 Fatal Injury. Learn How to Prevent Them
Each year, one in four Americans 65 or older falls, according to the National Council on Aging. For older adults, falls are: The leading cause of fatal injury The most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions Falls threaten seniors’ ... read more
Mr. Yuk: Where Is He Now?
If you came of age in the 1970s, you more than likely remember the commercial. It begins with a demonic laugh, then segues into a slow, doom-like song that begins, “Mr. Yuk is mean. Mr. Yuk is green.” In this 60-second commercial, a legend was born. When it ... read more
Concussions: Myths and Truths From UPMC Sports Medicine Expert
When you think about a concussion, you might immediately envision professional football players, thanks to the news surrounding head injuries. But don’t think a concussion—the mildest form of traumatic brain injury—just happens by getting tackled. It can happen in ... read more
When Babies Arrive, Hospital Obstetric and Neonatal Services Are Ready
Each year, more than 135,000 babies are born in Pennsylvania hospitals. Babies don’t arrive according to schedule, so the 93 hospitals that provide obstetric services are ready around the clock to provide the different services needed to support all kinds ... read more
Emergency Health Care Services in Pennsylvania
Life is full of unexpected events: both happy ones, like the birth of a baby, and, unfortunately, tragic ones too. Hospitals have designated “units”—areas with specialized medical experts, staff, and equipment—ready to help. When the unthinkable ... read more
Improve Your Health by Catching Some Z’s—Make Sleep a Priority
We spend about a third of our lives sleeping. From birth, sleeping is a major part of our routine. Sleep allows us to rejuvenate and refuel. There are different theories about how much sleep we need, based on many factors—from age to gender to levels of physical ... read more
Colorectal Cancer: 5 Prevention Tips
Too many lives each year are affected by colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that, excluding skin cancers, it’s the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the United States, and it’s estimated that there will be 140,250 new ... read more
Patient Safety: Tips for Partnering with Your Doctor
When you—or a loved one—need health care, doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals provide medical care and work to keep you safe and free from harm. They can do that even better when patients and their families act as partners in that care: Patients ... read more
What Are the Signs of Kidney Disease?
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease and failure, so it’s important to try to avoid developing diabetes and to properly manage the disease if you have it. Diabetes can damage your kidneys, which makes it increasingly difficult for them to clean your ... read more
5 Jobs That Kidneys Do For Your Body
Your kidneys are very busy trash collectors. Every day, these two, bean-shaped organs on each side of your spine filter waste out of your body and keep you healthy. They actually do much more than that to keep you in top form. You can’t live without kidneys — ... read more
Women Making Medical History
Unless you're a med student or perhaps a women's studies major, you might have difficulty putting together a list of female medical pioneers. Actually, women have been excelling in the field of medicine for a very long time. What’s more, their ground-breaking ... read more
Women’s History Month: How MS and Heart Disease Affect Women
During March, we celebrate women’s history. Making history starts with being healthy. Multiple sclerosis and heart disease are conditions that are affecting women across America. Understanding the severity of these conditions and addressing the symptoms are key to ... read more
The Opioid Crisis: What You Can Do
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported the prescription opioid and heroin overdose epidemic to be the worst public health crisis in the state. The fact that more Pennsylvanians die from opioid overdoses than vehicle accidents is staggering. The opioid ... read more
Obesity in Pennsylvania: Here’s What You Need to Know
Did you know Pennsylvania has the 25th-highest adult obesity rate in the nation? During 2016, the adult obesity rate was 30.3 percent, while the combined overweight and obesity rate for 10- to 17-year-olds was 31.7 percent, according to The State of Obesity ... read more
Mental Illness: Postpartum Depression
If you're experiencing severe sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion, you may be seeing your "baby blues" become postpartum depression. The good news, if you get treatment, the feelings you're experiencing won't last forever. You are not alone. read more
Cancer Recovery: Don’t Let Your Treatment Define You
Even when you're cancer-free physically, the tolls of the treatments can impact you mentally. Don't let your treatment define you as you continue to recover. Embrace the new you. read more
Brain Injuries: Signs, Symptoms, and Prevention
The Brain Injury Association of America dedicates March to spreading awareness. During the campaign, it draws attention to the seriousness of traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs. It touches on the needs of victims and their families following incidences of brain ... read more
Critical Access Hospitals Are Key to Rural Health Care
One in every five Pennsylvanians lives in a rural area. Many count on what are called critical access hospitals for all kinds of health care, including life-saving emergency care. Rural Pennsylvania has 16 hospitals designated as “critical access.” This ... read more
Portion Size vs. Serving Size: What’s the Difference?
Eating healthy isn’t just about selecting the right foods; it’s about eating the right amount. Figuring out the right amount to eat can be difficult if you don’t understand the difference between portion size and serving size. The terms seem interchangeable, but ... read more
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists: 4 Ways They Can Help You
Eating is a challenge for some of us. It can be difficult figuring out what to eat and how much to eat. If you’re finding this to be the case in your journey to a healthier lifestyle, working with a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist ... read more
Telepsychiatry: The Future of Mental Illness Treatment
As Pennsylvania continues to battle the opioid crisis, health care professionals are examining new methods that can assist with treatment. One technology that is increasingly being used for addiction treatment is telepsychiatry, or telepsych. The American ... read more
Women’s Heart Health: Be Your Own Advocate
Although February is designated American Heart Month for everyone, oftentimes discussions of heart issues and tips pertain mostly to men. To highlight the differences between heart health for men and women, Healthy Me PA spoke to Dr. Maribel Hernández, director of ... read more
Your Child’s Oral Health: 4 Steps You Should Take by Age Two
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and it's important that you start proper hygiene at an early age for your children. Healthy Me PA wanted to hear more about children’s dental health from a professional. We sat down with Janice Schan, registered dental ... read more
Pa. Campaign Helps Nearly 400K Get Enrolled in Health Insurance
Should people have to choose between their health and their financial well-being? It may seem an odd question, but that was the case for far too many American individuals and families before the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law. “It’s easy to forget ... read more
Learn the Signs of Deadly Eating Disorders
It can be difficult to notice signs and symptoms of an eating disorder, all of which involve abnormal eating behaviors. In a nation obsessed with body image, you could mistakenly think that a family member’s intense dieting and exercise are following a healthy ... read more
Getting a Second Opinion on a Diagnosis
Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion—especially if your doctor shares troubling news about your health or you want to make sure you understand your diagnosis and treatment. As this chief of medical ethics for New York-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine ... read more
Hershey Medical Center Partners with ‘Stop the Bleed’
Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has been offering classes and events to the public on how to stop life-threatening bleeding. Hershey Medical Center joined an ... read more
National Donor Day: The Difference Your Heart Can Make
February is filled with conversations of the heart. On February 14, we celebrate the tradition of giving valentine's hearts to friends and loved ones. But February 14 is also National Donor Day, when we observe the importance of organ donation to the thousands of ... read more
February is American Heart Month, but Heart Health is Important All Year
This month, when we think of hearts we usually think of Valentine’s Day. But in 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed February American Heart Month. His proclamation was backed by Congress so that February is annually designated American Heart Month. ... read more
Annual Physical Exam Could Save Future Medical Costs
Never catch a cold? No creaky knees or twitchy back? Good for you. But you still should see your doctor on a regular basis to ensure you stay healthy and avoid problems that can sneak up on you over time—because by then they could be more difficult and more ... read more
5 Health Benefits of Being in Love
Did you know that being in a happy, loving relationship may have an impact on your health? These five examples show how a loving relationship can provide a boost to your health. Faster healing Engaging in positive conversation and receiving encouragement from ... read more
Benefits of Owning a Puppy
It’s not news that dogs bring positivity into their owners' lives. From companionship to comfort, dogs have fairly earned their title as “man’s best friend.” Physically, owning a dog is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Harvard Medical ... read more
The Pressure is on: How to Take Control of Your Heartburn
What is heartburn? Heartburn occurs when stomach acids creep into your esophagus, which causes a burning sensation in your chest and a sour or bitter taste in your mouth, according to the Family Doctor. Because it directly affects the functionality of the ... read more
Vitamins vs. Dietary Supplements: What You Need To Know
The food we eat provides us with essential vitamins and nutrients that allow us to stay healthy, but sometimes unhealthy eating habits cause us to miss important nutrients. For example, you can become vitamin C or B-12 deficient without an adequate amount of these ... read more
OSS Wins HAP Achievement Award with its Commitment to the Community
Every year, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) recognizes hospitals and health systems that have exemplified outstanding innovation, creativity, and commitment to patient care with its Achievement Awards Program. This year, the ... read more
Healthy Me PA’s Best of 2017 Awards
As we begin preparing our goals for the new year, looking back at the top trends can be fun and educational. When it comes to movies, music, and television, we see award ceremonies highlighting the best of the best year after year. Although we have no idea what ... read more
Psoriasis and Cold Weather: What You Can Do About It
Psoriasis—the immune-mediated disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin—typically affects the outside of the elbows, knees, or scalp and is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and depression, ... read more
Health Insurance and Taxes: 4 Tips
Are you confused about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) “coverage mandate” for this year’s tax season? You’re not alone. Congress’ new tax law removed the ACA penalties for not having health coverage, but the law has created confusion about the status of the mandate ... read more
How to Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation results from the body’s attempt to repair itself after injury—so it’s a natural and necessary part of healing. This quick (also called acute) response typically includes increased heat, swelling, and pain at the site of the injury and is short ... read more
January Awareness: Cervical Health and Glaucoma
Two important health concerns, cervical cancer and glaucoma, are recognized every January. Cervical Health Awareness Month spreads the word about cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV), and the importance of early detection. Glaucoma Awareness Month informs ... read more
Do you know the differences among an LPN, an RN, and a CNA?
Hospital care is provided by teams of doctors, nurses, social workers, and others. Understanding who is on your health care team and what their credentials mean will help you understand the aspects of your care that different health care professionals are ... read more
Cervical Cancer Is Almost Always Preventable—Here’s Why
Every year nearly 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer, but the disease is almost always preventable with regular screening and vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most cervical cancer ... read more
Limit Germs at the Gym
After we consume our favorite foods and drinks during the holidays, many of us will make a New Year's resolution to hit the gym. With more people trying to get fit, there will be more germs floating around. A new study by FitRated found that some gym equipment has ... read more
Skip the Gym: How to Exercise at Home
As you age, your body tends to wear down; the immune system weakens, metabolism decreases, and bones become brittle. Age-related muscle loss, or sarcopenia, comes naturally when your body ages. According to Harvard Health Publishing, “after age 30, you begin to ... read more
How to Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions
It’s a new year, and you have decided to commit to that long-standing goal you’ve been putting off. How do you start? Whether you've decided to live a healthier lifestyle, make a positive change, or master a skill, we’ve got you covered with five tips on how to ... read more
New Standards Target High Blood Pressure
New blood pressure guidelines mean nearly half of Americans will be diagnosed with high blood pressure, rising from 32 percent under the old guidelines to 46 percent under the new benchmarks. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll all need ... read more
5 Tips to Care for Your Skin in Winter
Winter’s frigid winds might be cool for snowmen, but not for our skin. No matter what skin type you have—whether it’s oily, dry, combination, or aging—the climate can take its toll. Winter’s damaging effects include chapping, redness, itching, and other irritation ... read more
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC Helps Children Celebrate the Holidays
During the holidays, everyone is hustling and bustling to purchase and wrap gifts, to make sure their houses are perfectly lit, and to be ready for the festivities. All of this is part of what is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” What about ... read more
The Mobile CPR Project Provides Training to Philadelphians to Help Save Lives
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), especially if performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. In Philadelphia, if you go into cardiac arrest, you have only a 15 percent chance of someone doing CPR on ... read more
Bring the Holidays to the Hospital
The holiday season is a time when family and friends get together to make lasting memories and reflect upon the past year. However, anyone staying in the hospital over the holidays will need a little extra holiday cheer. Hospitals and nursing homes hold ... read more
3 Healthy Cookie Recipes to Try over the Holidays
The holiday season is a time of togetherness, gifts, and eating. Snacks are plentiful during this time of year, and many of us find it hard to resist candy, cookies, and other treats at home and at work. Luckily, there are alternatives for healthy treats that are ... read more
The GIFt of Health: 13 Health and Wellness Gift Ideas
Gift giving around the holidays can be a joyous and fulfilling activity, but it can be stressful if you don’t know what to give certain people on your list. Gifts that help a friend or a family member in the journey to living a healthier life will keep on ... read more
Avoid the Winter Blues
The stress of the holiday season and shorter amounts of daylight could be enough to dampen even Santa’s legendary good mood. Learn how to avoid the winter blues this year. Tips to keep your mood and outlook healthy during the winter: Keep active. ... read more
Osteoarthritis Risk Increases with Age
As we age, almost all of us will develop some degree of osteoarthritis, medical experts say. However, by addressing risk factors, you can lower the chance of developing it and make it less disruptive to your life if you do. In osteoarthritis, cartilage ... read more
3 Healthy New Year’s Resolutions You Can Keep
Are you kicking yourself for not achieving your 2017 New Year’s resolutions? You’re not the only one: Only 8 percent of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions, according to Forbes. Thankfully, 2018 is just around the corner, affording you another opportunity ... read more
Healthy Outdoor Winter Activities for You and Your Family
You might normally celebrate the holiday season indoors with your family, but you don't have to let the cold weather prevent you from staying active. Keep your family entertained and energetic during the winter with these outdoor activities to enjoy a healthy, ... read more
Winter Clothes Shopping Guide: 5 Items You Need to Buy
As we approach winter, it’s important to have the proper attire to stay warm when venturing out in near-freezing weather and other harsh winter elements. Because winter attire is worn only for a few months, most of us do not keep it readily accessible year ... read more
Cold Weather Can Cause More Than the Shivers
The cold weather is here, and as every native Pennsylvanian knows, it’s here to stay well into March. It’s just the beginning for frosted windows, salt trucks on the roads, and runny noses after coming inside from the cold. Other than remembering to pack your ice ... read more
Epilepsy: Seizure Triggers, Warning Signs, and Symptoms
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by a disruption of electrical surges in the brain, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. The fourth most common neurological disorder in America, epilepsy is most ... read more
How Technology Has Changed Nursing
Nurses use technology to provide the best care possible, often through faster diagnosis and more precise treatment. Health Information Technology enables nurses to capture critical data and use it to inform patient care and communicate across a range of health ... read more
Telemedicine: Improving Health Care for Veterans in PA
Veterans have benefited greatly from advancements in telemedicine, also called telehealth. Because of the high demand for more accessible health care for veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has moved forward with advancements in its telehealth ... read more
Use Black Friday Deals to Improve Your Health
Every year, the day after Thanksgiving Black Friday, becomes a bigger and crazier day as millions of people get a head start on holiday shopping and find the best deals. This year, as you venture into the world of serious shoppers, Healthy Me PA challenges you to ... read more
Thanksgiving Leftovers: Beyond the Sandwich
Thanksgiving dinner can be the biggest kitchen production of the year, showcasing an array of meats, veggies, pies, and side dishes in every shape and size. But when the feast is done, using all the leftovers often turns into a chore. Granted, the classic turkey ... read more
How to Properly Dress for Winter
Take a look to see if you are properly bundling up for windy, cold winter days. read more
Nosebleeds: What We ‘Nose’ About Them
Chances are pretty good that you or someone you know will have a nose bleed at some point. This study estimated that 60 percent of the U.S. population will at some point experience a bloody nose. Nosebleeds often are not dangerous. They’re more of a nuisance than ... read more
Activities to Keep You Healthy in November
Here are three activities you and your family can do on Thanksgiving On Thanksgiving, we gather around the table for good food and good company—a tradition lasting nearly 400 years. Your family might have other activities you do, such as crafting, cross-country ... read more
Temple University Hospital’s Patient Financial Services Department: Connecting People to Insurance Plans
If you buy your own insurance, open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace is your chance to make sure you get the best plan for your health and your pocketbook. Insurance can feel complicated—but talking with one of these navigators ... read more
Thankful for Health Care Access in PA
As the holiday season grows closer, especially Thanksgiving—a holiday set aside for making us all more appreciative for what we have—many Pennsylvanians soon will come together with their families to share what they’re thankful for over a delicious meal (we hope ... read more
The 5 Most Important Things to Know About Obamacare Now
After so much talk of “repeal and replace,” even people who work in health care—like me—can feel confused about the Affordable Care Act, known to many as Obamacare. Fortunately, a few basic facts can help straighten things out. Are you one of about ... read more
How to Lose Weight and Keep it Off After Dieting Ends
Congratulations! Through hard work, you have reached your weight loss goals. But the work doesn’t stop there—maintaining your weight after losing it can be the real challenge. For most people, the weight loss battle is not finished once you reach your desired ... read more
A Healthy Colon is a Happy Colon
Health screenings are tests that look for diseases before symptoms appear. Blood pressure screenings, cholesterol screenings, and diabetes screenings are a few common services for adults. As we age, additional screenings become more important. Because a smoothly ... read more
Did Your Clothes Shrink, or Did You Just Celebrate Thanksgiving?
If your family celebrates Thanksgiving, you know the feeling of almost rolling away from the table after indulging in a delicious meal. One of the best aspects of Thanksgiving is that it keeps on giving, with leftover pie, turkey, and potatoes in all forms, ... read more
Know the Difference: Hospice vs. Palliative Care
End-of-life care decisions can cause stress for families, especially when they are choosing what kind of care to provide, understanding which programs an individual is eligible for, and deciding when to administer medical aid. Two types of care — palliative and ... read more
Don’t Let Daylight Saving Turn You into a Couch Potato
With daylight saving time approaching, it is easy to fall into the habit of coming home from work or school, putting on comfy clothes, and parking in front of the TV or computer. Our bodies are naturally responsive to sunlight, which means we have to fight the ... read more
15 Ways to Help Visiting Relatives with Chronic Illnesses
Watching a loved one manage a chronic illness can be difficult. As the holidays approach and family members you seldom see make their annual visit, you can prepare to support them. There are things you can do to help during the time you have together. Here are ... read more
What Keeps You Up At Night?
Healthy Me PA asked members of our online community “What keeps YOU up at night about health care?” Read their answers below. “I want to maintain my mobility for the simple things I enjoy: playing golf, walking my dogs, going to living history ... read more
Pa. Hospitals Have Several Drug-Disposal Options Available
The opioid epidemic has impacted too many lives. We know this all too well in Pennsylvania, where 36.5 fatal overdoses occurred in 2016 per 100,000 people, a 37 percent increase from 2015. Opioid addiction often begins with prescription medication. Therefore, ... read more
Tips for Adjusting to Daylight Saving Time
On November 5, daylight saving time (DST) will conclude, pushing us back one hour at 2 a.m. But what exactly is DST, and where did it come from? We can attribute the seasonal time shift to Benjamin Franklin, who thought of the idea during his Paris ambassadorship. ... read more
Afternoon Naps: Are They Good for Your Health?
You know the feeling: It’s Saturday, and you’ve finished your errands. You have time before your evening plans, so you lie down and end up taking a nap. Once you wake up, you begin prepping for the night. For some of us, naps are a rare occurrence. For others, ... read more
Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep
Here are some tips to help you get a good night's sleep! read more
Patient-Centered Care Month: You Are the Expert on You
October is Patient-Centered Care Month. Maybe you have heard of the Patient-Centered Care Model, which is defined by the Institute of Medicine as “providing care that is respectful of, and responsive to, individual patient preferences, needs and values, and ... read more
Loo and Drew Try Something New: Ninja Warrior
If you’re familiar with the hit show “American Ninja Warrior,” then you don’t want to miss Loo and Drew’s latest adventure! read more
Techniques for Asthma and Seasonal Allergy Relief
As the seasons change, plants begin to grow and pollinate the air; trees bloom during the spring, grass in the summer, and weeds in the fall. But the shift in scenery is not as enjoyable for people with allergies that flare up when seasons change. Allergic ... read more
From Tablets to Liquid: What Would Work the Fastest?
Browsing the pain relief and cold aisle is enough to give anyone a headache. Maybe you’ve decided you need ibuprofen or an antihistamine, but what form do you select—pills, caplets, liqui-gels? Some are better if you have stomach problems, while others act more ... read more
Teaching Kids to Be In Charge of their Health: How and When
As we pass through each phase of our lives, we encounter many rites of passage. One that seems to be universal is the gradual change in responsibility that we encounter as we age. Each year, we begin adopting new responsibilities. With each phase, parents are in ... read more
Federal Marketplace Cost-Sharing Subsidies in Limbo
It may seem hard to predict what’s going to happen with the health insurance market—particularly if you receive health coverage through the federal health insurance marketplace. With open enrollment around the corner — November 1–December 15, 2017, it is best to ... read more
5 Things to Know About Open Enrollment
If you or your family is in need of health insurance for 2018, enrollment for a plan under the Affordable Care Act, also referred to as Obamacare, will open Nov. 1. After Dec. 15, the annual enrollment window will close and you will not be able to access insurance ... read more
Stand Up Against Bullying: What If Your Kid Is the Bully?
More than one of every five students (20.8%) reported being bullied in 2016. (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2016). While studies by the federal government show the prevalence of bullying has decreased since 2005, when it was around 28 percent (U.S. ... read more
Breast Cancer: Be Proactive
Breast cancer has affected many of us––through personal diagnosis or because family or friends have battled this disease. One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. It is the most diagnosed cancer among ... read more
HIV Is Now A Manageable Chronic Disease
"One of the greatest achievements in modern medicine has been the transformation of HIV from an almost invariably fatal illness to a chronic, manageable infection," said Dr. Timothy Friel, chairman of the Lehigh Valley Health Network's Department of Medicine and ... read more
Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself!
If you suffer from a chronic illness, it’s not uncommon to become so mired in your condition and its impact on your life while managing family and work responsibilities that you forget to take care of yourself. You might be so good at overlooking yourself that you ... read more
National Preparedness Month: What We Can Learn From Recent Hurricanes
September is National Preparedness Month—but it’s important to be prepared at all times in the event an emergency occurs. Developing an emergency preparedness plan will lower your family’s chances of panicking when faced with a national disease outbreak, a natural ... read more
Why You Should Care About Empty Calories
Calories. People eat them, count them, and usually try to burn them. Most people know you should restrict your daily intake of calories, but what about empty calories? What are empty calories? Empty calories are those you consume by eating ... read more
Study Guide on How to Avoid Getting Sick at School
The back-to-school routine is in full swing, and that means greater exposure to germs. In school, kids are exposed to exponentially more germs. After school, kids bring germs home with them, increasing the risk of exposing parents, other family members, and ... read more
10 simple Ways You Can Make a Difference for Young Cancer Patients and Their Families
There are many other ways to make a difference. It doesn’t take much to make a difference to one child or one family. Share, share, share news about childhood cancer Childhood cancer makes people uncomfortable, but if we’re going to fund ... read more
Childhood Chronic Illness: 5 Tips to Help with the Transition to Adulthood
“Your child has a chronic illness.” These are words no parent wants to hear. But, for far too many families, a child with a chronic illness is a reality. From 13 to 27 percent of U.S. children are afflicted with a chronic illness, according to a BMJ Journals ... read more
Overnight Cereal Healthy Reciple
Finding breakfast foods that are healthy isn’t easy. Check out this overnight cereal to start off your day with on a healthy foot! read more
Loo and Drew Try Something New: Rock Climbing
Who doesn't love a good challenge? Watch what happens when Loo and Drew take on rock climbing! read more
How to Describe Chronic Pain Symptoms to Your Doctor
Pain serves an important purpose, letting you know something is wrong and protecting you from further harm. Chronic pain, on the other hand, provides no protection from anything. Dealing day in and day out with constant pain and the limitations it places on you ... read more
Adulting 101: Influenza is Coming
Influenza is coming and it can be more cruel than Joffrey. This month, Adulting 101 teaches you a few ways to help stop the spread of germs. And yes, there are dragons. read more
Cold vs. Flu: What’s the Difference?
What's the difference between the common cold and the flu? Watch symptoms here! read more
Pennsylvania’s Medicaid Program: Eligibility, Benefits, and How to Apply
Millions of Pennsylvanians need financial help in order to be able to afford their health care and/or long-term care. Medicaid, a joint state and federal insurance program, is designed to provide that help to eligible families and adults. What is ... read more
How to recognize and survive a deadly sepsis infection — From a doctor with personal experience
Every year, we set aside one day to raise awareness and unite against the world's most preventable cause of death: sepsis. The Global Sepsis Alliance initiated World Sepsis Day in 2012, to be celebrated every year on Sept. 13, with the goals to decrease incidences ... read more
PA’s Required Newborn Screenings Designed for Baby’s Health
Even a baby who appears perfectly normal at birth may have a very, very slim chance of having a genetic disorder. Immediate testing helps doctors and hospitals rule out serious problems and, if a condition is detected, provide the best possible ... read more
Lehigh Valley Health Network: Transforming Patient Care with TeleBurn
As telehealth services have been gaining popularity with the growth of technology, many health systems have begun investing in their own programs to provide patients better access to care. One Pennsylvania system that has embraced the benefits of virtual health is ... read more
Telemedicine Saves You Time and Effort
Not sure how to balance everything in your life? Well, going to the doctor’s office is getting a lot easier. The growing offering and acceptance of telemedicine services by doctors and health insurance companies could help you put more time back in your ... read more
COBRA Helps You Keep Health Insurance If You Switch Jobs
In the health insurance world, COBRA is not a snake or a yoga pose. It’s an abbreviation for a law that gives employees the right to keep and pay for their workplace group health insurance for up to 18 months if they quit or lose their job or have their hours ... read more
Take a Hike! 13 Things to Do Before Hitting the Trails
While the weather is warm and the outdoors pleasant, hiking is an enjoyable way to exercise and embrace the beauty of nature in Pennsylvania. Doing your research and planning is crucial for a successful hiking experience and avoiding the risks. Here are 13 hiking ... read more
Suicide: Talking About It Can Be the First Step to Prevention
Considering that suicide is the third-leading cause of death for Pennsylvania teens and young adults, it’s important to recognize warning signs, take them seriously and know where to turn for help. If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, one ... read more
Art Therapy: Explore Your Inner Feelings
Creating art is a skill some people practice for hours on end, whether they’re illustrators, sculptors, or painters. However, many people who are not skilled and do not have a passion for art still can create it through art therapy. What is Art ... read more
Pick Your Path: Get Your Steps in at Harrisburg Mural Festival
The inaugural Harrisburg Mural Festival, sponsored by Sprocket Mural Works, aims to produce 10 murals in 10 days throughout the city from Sept. 1 to 10. In addition to the mural painting, the festival will feature a variety of community events from a ... read more
Mural Projects, Public Art Improve Health
Public art, such as murals on the sides of buildings, not only spruces up communities but can improve our personal health and the well-being of our hometowns. Studies have shown that enjoying art can boost your immune system and reduce stress. The positive ... read more
Sports Physicals: Why Are They Done?
Because our state experiences all of the seasons, Pennsylvanians know what to expect as each of them comes. With fall creeping up on us, a great American tradition is approaching, as well: fall sports. Although kids sometimes dread the back-to-school season, ... read more
Food Allergies in School: Written Plans, Teamwork Can Help
Some of the most worrisome times for parents of children with food allergies come when the children get on the school bus. The keys to making sure your student gets through the school year incident free are communication, education, and planning. The occurrence ... read more
Kick Back-to-School Nerves with These 5 Tips
As the end of August approaches, many kids become wary of what is coming: a new school year. With new teachers, new subjects, and new classmates each year, it is common for children to become anxious about the unknowns awaiting them as they go back to school. Some ... read more
Changes in Your Diet Can Relieve Anxiety
Isn’t it funny how, when you were younger, you couldn’t wait to be old enough to sit in the front seat? Then you couldn’t wait to be old enough to drive a car, stay out past 11 p.m., move out, and be an “adult.” Yet, in all of this wishing for the next exciting ... read more
Healthy Veins Matter
It’s not every day that we think about what’s going on under the surface of our skin, let alone what our veins look like, but people experience changes in the appearance of their veins more often than you might think. About 50 to 55 percent of women and 40 to ... read more
Whether You Stay on your Parents’ Plan or Get Your Own Coverage, Know the Facts
True or false: Young adults have to stay on their parents’ insurance until they turn 26. False! Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enacted in March 2010, young people may stay on their parents’ health insurance policy until they turn 26. The ACA, ... read more
What is a Z-pak?
Health care is complex, and the terminology can be intimidating. There may be times when your doctor prescribes unfamiliar medications or treatments. Searching the internet to learn more about a medication or treatment can add to our confusion. For example, ... read more
Mental Illness and the Hearing Impaired: How Telehealth Can Help
One in five adults in the U.S. has a mental health condition, according to Mental Health America. Unfortunately, most lack access to care for mental illnesses. Approximately 56 percent of American adults with a mental illness are unable to receive treatment. For ... read more
Spice Up Snack Time with 10 Gourmet Popcorn Flavors
Did you know most air-popped popcorn is only 106 to 120 calories per ounce? Did you know potato chips start at 152 calories an ounce? You might be thinking: “But what about all the good flavors chips come in? Aren’t they worth the calories?” What if ... read more
Help Your Pets Beat the Heat with These Frozen Treats
During the summer, nothing tastes better than a refreshing frozen treat. So why not enjoy a popsicle with your furry friends? Here are some of our favorite frozen treats for our four-legged family members. Dogs PB and fruit dog treat. Blend one cup of ... read more
New Ways to Tackle The Mystery of Eczema
As anyone who suffers from eczema knows, countless everyday items can cause the skin condition to flare. From fabric to hot water, the triggers are everywhere and differ from person to person. The symptoms of this autoimmune condition, which gives skin a ... read more
Loo and Drew Try Something New: Goat Yoga
Last month, Loo and Drew took on aerial yoga. This month, the guys traveled to Gettysburg for goat yoga. No, we aren't kidding around. Yoga with goats. How did they do? Take a look below and let them know what you'd like to see them try next! read more
Why You Should Never Leave Your Dog in a Hot Car
We’re in the hottest part of summer, and although road trips can be fun for humans, our furry friends can suffer. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, each year hundreds of dogs suffer heatstroke after being left in hot cars ... read more
Stay Cool While Pregnant with These 5 Tips
Pregnant women have a high degree of heat intolerance as it is, but in the summer it can be unbearable. Thankfully, there are great tips and tricks to beat the heat and keep Mommy and baby comfortable this season. Because the extra blood flow boosts a pregnant ... read more
5 Healthy School Snacks For Your Student to Enjoy
Looking for a snack to send with your children to school? Try these healthy alternatives to the greasy, processed snacks! Fruity Nut and Honey Energy Bites Ingredients 1 cup dried cherries 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups Honey Nut Cheerios ⅓ ... read more
Geisinger Health System Lays Groundwork for Precision Medicine
Geisinger Health System is doing its part to fix the global health crisis by approaching the problem from a community angle. As little as two tablespoons of blood or a saliva sample from patient-participants could be the key to better, more effective health ... read more
Don’t Let Chronic Back Pain Get in Your Way
Chronic back pain is a condition that affects thousands of people each year. Chronic back pain can be attributed to a variety of factors, from arthritis to muscle weakness. Strengthening the muscles of your core, back and hips can provide some relief to the ... read more
Store-and-Forward Can Help You See a Specialist
As telemedicine grows increasingly accepted by doctors, patients, and insurers alike, one of the terms certain to be used is store-and-forward technology. That allows for the electronic transmission of medical information such as photos, X-rays, MRIs, video-exam ... read more
Forbes Hospital Improves Identification of Human Trafficking Victims
From 2007 to 2015, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center received 2,359 calls from Pennsylvania regarding suspected sex trafficking and identified 1,199 victims. Pennsylvania’s interstate highway system provides easy access for traffickers to pass ... read more
Do You Know How to Spot a Concussion?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head or violent shaking of the head and upper body. Here are five signs to look ... read more
Safety Tips to Make Sure Your Vacation Is Just ‘Beach-y’
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few are sandy.” — John Muir There is nothing better than waking up to the sun breaking over the ocean waves, salty air, and the promise of a clear, warm day. The beach is a great place to disconnect from everyday ... read more
UPMC Hamot Gives Underprivileged Youth An Opportunity
UPMC Hamot, in Erie, Pennsylvania, has done more than provide health care to the people within the four walls of its hospital; it has created and implemented an initiative to help the underprivileged youth in the city. In doing so, the hospital has grown a more ... read more
Don’t Wait to Vaccinate Your Children in PA
Pennsylvania school rules for vaccinations have been updated, and the grace period for students to be up to date on immunizations essentially has shrunk to the first week of school. After that, they can be sent home until they comply. Vaccines protect children ... read more
Take Safety Precautions Against Foodborne Botulism
While you are enjoying a summer cookout with your co-workers or celebrating at a family member’s graduation party, you are most likely going to consume food that is prepared in someone’s home. For the people in charge of food preparation for summer gatherings, it ... read more
Beat the Heat: Safely Exercising in the Summer
Even though Pennsylvania is in the northern part of the United States, its inhabitants experience all of the seasons, including a scalding summer. So how can you run your morning mile without doing your body more harm than good? There are two major health ... read more
IBS hacks: How to Alleviate Your Worst Symptoms
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the large intestine, causing cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Although the symptoms of IBS are uncomfortable and, quite frankly, annoying, this form of bowel ... read more
3 Fun and Effective Water Exercises for Your Summer Workout
Striving to maintain or achieve healthy habits this summer? Sunshine and warm weather might coax you outside, but they won’t motivate you to exercise! There is a cooler, more gentle way to maintain your body without the labor-intensive or painful problems of ... read more
Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking Increase Over Time
There are long- and short-term health benefits of quitting smoking. Learn how your body changes over time after you stop. Cigarettes contain nearly 7,000 chemicals. A large percentage of these are harmful and cause cancer. Quitting smoking is no easy feat, ... read more
How to Read an Explanation of Benefits: What Does it Mean?
If you’ve visited a doctor or medical facility and submitted your health insurance information, you’ve eventually received a “this is not a bill” paper known as an explanation of benefits (EOB). Just because it’s not a bill, don’t toss it aside. It's a statement ... read more
What Is Humidity Doing to Your Body?
Summer is perfect for spending time outdoors, taking in vitamin D, and making memories with your family. When the heatwave of summer rolls around, protection from overexposure to sunlight isn’t the only thing you need to worry about. Humidity, the ... read more
What is Medicaid?
The outcome of the federal debate over health insurance coverage will affect many Pennsylvanians. A major issue is the future of Medicaid. Medicaid is a jointly funded, federal–state health insurance program for the state’s most vulnerable ... read more
There’s a Better Way to See Your Doctor on Vacation
Getting hold of your doctor while you’re on vacation can be tough. Not only is it a bummer to be sick while you’re off having an adventure, but not being able to talk to your trusted care provider can add unnecessary stress. Many people don’t ... read more
The Right Sunscreen for Your Skin
Not all sunscreens are right for your skin. This summer, know what kind of sunscreen you should use to avoid uncomfortable burns and reduce your risk of sun-related dangers. Chemical Sunscreen — contains organic (carbon-based) compounds, like PABA, that ... read more
Burn Calories Outside While Doing These Chores
Looking for an extra benefit in doing some outside chores? Well, did you know that doing chores can actually burn calories? Check out how many calories are burned by doing these common chores. read more
Recognizing the Importance of Donation and Transplantation in Multicultural Communities
From July 9 through 22, Donate Life America is promoting “Every Community Has Opportunity” (ECHO). It is a nationwide observance focused on the importance of donation and transplantation in multicultural communities. The ECHO concept is that one voice with a ... read more
Understanding BMI, Obesity
Obesity is a disorder involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems. Obesity puts people at risk of developing other serious medical conditions that cause poor health and even early death. Technically, there are no specific obesity ... read more
Loo and Drew Try Something New: Aerial Yoga
Trying something new can be scary, but we’re here to help! In our new video series, “Loo and Drew Try Something New,” two average Joes try their hand at new ways to work out. Watch to see how they fare in their first challenge: aerial yoga. read more
Benefits of Patient Portals: Why You Should Use Them
For some people patient portals are a new concept, and many do not understand the benefits of using one. Patient portals give you the ability to contact your doctors, pay bills, and schedule appointments online. They provide an easily accessible platform for you ... read more
Replace Your 30-Day Diet with Habits for Life
When it comes to weight loss, everyone wants to find the diet that will work the fastest or the detox that will get you to your goal weight in less time. There are more than enough programs offering a quick fix for weight loss, but long-term changes in your body ... read more
Why You Shouldn’t Avoid Sunlight Exposure this Summer
“Balance is key.” Such a small, simple phrase applies to many aspects of life. Finding your balance in a world of overindulging isn't always easy. You aren’t supposed to eat sugar all the time, just some of the time. You aren’t supposed to work out too many days a ... read more
4 Dessert Smoothies to Try this Summer
They’re not just for hardcore diets anymore. Smoothies have become a part of millions of people’s daily lives. Their all-natural ingredients taste better than the thickest milkshake. But you can’t just have the same flavor every time. Here are four ... read more
How to Stop Overeating: 3 Ways to Curb Your Cravings
When thinking of overeating, most of the time you would think of feeling stuffed after Thanksgiving dinner or your weakness for cookies at Christmastime. The bad news is, overeating tendencies aren’t always curbed just because the holidays are over and the weather ... read more
Campfire Banana Boat Recipe
Looking for an alternative option at your next campfire? Try this delicious banana boat! Ingredients 1 banana 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips 1 tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut 1 tbsp chopped toasted hazelnuts Dash of ground cinnamon Pinch of ... read more
Online Therapy Growing Area of Telemedicine Services
Technology is a part of nearly everyone’s life today. About three-quarters of Americans own a smartphone and almost seven in 10 use social media, according to the Pew Research Center. As we become more accustomed to doing everything online from the comfort of our ... read more
Mold on Food: What You Can Eat and What to Avoid
Have you ever discovered mold growing on a loaf of bread or another piece of food in your kitchen? We’ve all experienced a time when we discovered mold on food and asked ourselves, “is this safe to eat?” The toxins in some molds are dangerous to consume, so ... read more
Escape into a Book: 3 Ways Reading Impacts Mental Illness
Many people look for means of escape from the tediousness of daily life. But for those suffering from a mental illness, escape can be nearly impossible. Recent medical and pharmaceutical advancements have made their lives easier—have brought them up to baseline, ... read more
Fish Recipes for Your Next Big Catch in Pennsylvania
Much of what makes living in Pennsylvania unique is its landscape. Not many states experience the four seasons as distinctly as Pennsylvania does. Not everyone has the experience of seeing the vibrant warm tones take over the trees in the fall, the way snow ... read more
Burned by the Sun: When Do I Need to Go to the Doctor?
Applying sunscreen is important. To make it easier, sunscreen comes in different SPF levels and can be applied by hand and by spray bottle. We are told to reapply consistently and to watch out for others who might be getting burned. But somehow, we often miss ... read more
Juvenile Arthritis: From Diagnosis to Living Life Normally
July is Juvenile Arthritis Month, and approximately 300,000 children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. Diagnosing juvenile arthritis can be difficult because, unlike adults, children show negative rheumatoid factor blood tests. Therefore, ... read more
July 4, Veterans, and … PTSD?
Bright colors splashed across the night sky. Explosions booming unexpectedly from all sides. The smell of gunpowder lingering in the air. This might sound like a regular July 4 fireworks celebration to most Americans, but to many veterans the reality is much more ... read more
Pennsylvania’s Best Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables for Summer
There are many great things about summer: sun, vacation, and, of course, food—the crisp crunch of corn on the cob, the tangy pop of blueberries, and the refreshing sweetness of watermelon. Fruits and veggies always taste better when they're in season. The summer ... read more
Recipe: Sausage and Veggies
Looking for a bold recipe to mix things up? Try this sausage and veggie platter! read more
Avoid Being Bitten with These 7 Mosquito Prevention Pointers
It’s finally here, the season you’ve been waiting for—the perfect time to open all the doors and windows and let the summer breeze through your home. But with summer heat come mosquitoes, which thrive under the humid, muggy conditions. They typically make their ... read more
Adulting 101: Apply That Sunscreen!
Enjoy the sun and the warm weather, but make sure you're taking the proper safety precautions. read more
Summer Bummers: Treating A Bee Sting
Have you been stung by a bee, but you're not quite sure how to treat it? Follow these simple suggestions to help sooth any pain. Honey: Apply a dab to the wound, and cover with gauze Lavender essential oil: Apply 1-2 drops to help neutralize the venom’s ... read more
Skip The Waiting Room! Telemed On Your Time
Spending too much time in the waiting room? Try telemedicine from home! Read our posts to learn more benefits of telemedicine. There’s a Better Way to See Your Doctor on Vacation Online Therapy Growing Area of Telemedicine Services read more
From Chemo to Tumors: Improve your Cancer Vocab
The world of cancer is full of words that we might not use every day and sometimes even have trouble pronouncing. If you or a loved one is faced with a cancer diagnosis, it’s important to know some of the terminology so you can make informed decisions. Here’s a ... read more
First-Aid Basics For Your Summer Adventures
The summer always brings a new sense of adventure. The kids are out of school, the weather outside is enticing, and new family memories are waiting to be made. Unfortunately, any new adventure brings with it new opportunities for mishaps and accidents. Before you ... read more
4 Plants to Alleviate Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety is categorized as excessive worrying about a variety of topics and situations accompanied by at least three physical symptoms that often limit a person’s ability to function in one or more aspects of daily life. People sometimes have trouble with small ... read more
What Does Your Blood Type Say About You?
What does it mean if you're Type A or Type B? Find out what each blood type is associated with! read more
10 Warning Signs of Dementia: What You Should Look For
Dementia is a general term used for a decline in mental stability severe enough to interfere with everyday life. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that there are 270,000 Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older living with a form of dementia - including Alzheimer's ... read more
2 Pennsylvania Hospital Volunteer Programs Earn Honors from the AHA
The American Hospital Association recently named four recipients of the organization’s 34th annual Hospital Awards for Volunteer Excellence. The awards honor programs that are driving positive and innovative change in their communities, and they fall under four ... read more
What is a Trauma Center, and Why Would I Need One?
Trauma is one of the five leading causes of death for people ages 1 to 44. Trauma includes any life-threatening and critical injury caused by force—often the result of a motor vehicle accident, gunshot, fall, fire/burn, or assault. Trauma centers are usually ... read more
Hospitals Are Committed to Making PA Violence-Free
When you think of the future, what do you hope the world will look like? Cleaner? Healthier? Kinder? More accepting? Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems are hoping it will be violence-free. Taking part in the American Hospital Association’s coalition ... read more
Meal Prep With This Delicious Honey-Sriracha Chicken Recipe
Looking to turn to prepping your meals for the week instead of eating out every day? Try this delicious recipe for Honey-Sriracha Chicken! read more
Packing for a Road Trip? Don’t Forget These Healthy Snacks!
You’re headed on a road trip with your family. The bags are packed. The car is filled. The GPS is programmed. Everyone is wearing a seat belt. After being on the road for a very short time, you hear someone’s stomach growl (maybe your own) or a little voice in ... read more
Recipe: Brunch Parfait
This parfait is perfect for breakfast ... or lunch. read more
Keeping Up With Prescription Costs Could Save You Money
Many individuals and households feel the weight of prescription costs on their annual budget. Instead of cutting back on your other living expenses, consider learning new ways to cut back on prescription costs. Here are a few tips for balancing ... read more
How Bullying Affects Lifelong Mental Health
Bullying is defined as repeated “unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children” that involves a “real or perceived power imbalance”—when kids use their physical strength, popularity, or knowledge of embarrassing information to negatively influence ... read more
Job Offer? Ask These 8 Health Insurance Questions
So you’ve been offered a job with benefits. Great! Before you accept, ask the right questions about the health insurance plans being offered. You don’t want to find yourself without coverage or facing costs you didn’t expect after you’re on the job. Is there ... read more
Armed Forces Day: Can You Train Like a Soldier?
Each year, the third Saturday in May is observed as Armed Forces Day. It's a day when many Americans pay tribute to the men and women who serve in the U.S. military. When military recruits decide to join the armed forces, they are encouraged to train for ... read more
Health Tips for Women of All Ages
Proactivity is key to women’s health. Each age bracket poses new age-related, health-specific concerns, making it important for women to stay on top of their health needs throughout the decades. Each year, women should schedule a well-woman visit as a ... read more
National Hospital Week: Meet Geisinger Holy Spirit Employees
May 7-13 is National Hospital Week! National Hospital Week is a time to honor and thank the countless hospital employees who work day in and day out to deliver compassionate care to the patients they serve. When a lot of people think of hospital employees, ... read more
National Hospital Week: Baby Cuddlers at UPMC
May 7-13 is National Hospital Week. It's dedicated to recognizing the efforts of countless hospital employees, including volunteers, who work hard to provide care to others. Sometimes there are no words to express the feeling of making a difference in another’s ... read more
Hospital Week: Did You Know?
Pennsylvania is home to approximately 251 licensed hospitals. They all have an environmental impact on their surrounding communities. More Pennsylvania hospitals are choosing to use renewable energy sources, environmentally responsible construction, and ... read more
Excela Health Program Brings Patient Care to the Forefront
Too often, there is a disconnect between patients and health care professionals. Providers think they are doing a good job, but patients want them to listen more and consider their personal situations. In order to make sure the patient’s voice is being ... read more
How Healing Spaces are Transforming Pennsylvania Hospitals
Close your eyes and picture a hospital. What did you see? Most likely, your mind jumped to sterile rooms and fresh white paint. If asked to imagine the smell, you might have conjured a mixture of Lysol wipes and rubber gloves. While these descriptors ... read more
What’s Cooking at Your Hospital?
Hospital food has been the brunt of jokes for decades, but hospitals across Pennsylvania are stepping up their game by making healthy and gourmet options available year round. One, St. Luke's University Health Network and the Rodale Institute, even planted an ... read more
How Pennsylvania Hospitals Are Meeting Child Trauma Needs
As the nation shines a light on children’s mental health this week, it’s time to take a look at what services Pennsylvania hospitals are offering to children suffering from trauma. Last year, the U.S. passed a bill that reworked mental health services, increasing ... read more
Immunizations Aren’t Just for Kids
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults receive regular vaccinations to prevent contracting and spreading diseases. Many adults do not realize the negative effects of forgoing regular vaccinations and could be putting ... read more
6 Steps for Staying Safe in the Sun
Summer is rapidly approaching—the perfect time to go on a ride with your family, take your dog to the park, or bring out a hammock and finally break into the latest must-read you’ve been hearing about. But before you head outdoors, keep these six simple tips from ... read more
Apps Available to Help Catch Melanoma Early
Cases of melanoma — the deadliest type of skin cancer — have been increasing over the last 40 years. In fact, melanoma kills one person every hour in the U.S., according to the National Cancer Institute, even though it’s easily treatable if caught early. The ... read more
5 Smart Snacks for People Living with Diabetes
Living with diabetes means having to be more intentional about diet decisions, because people with diabetes run nearly double the risk of heart disease. But remember: A diabetes-dictated diet doesn’t necessarily mean going snack-free—instead, it means maintaining ... read more
LVH-Muhlenberg ‘Knit In’ Brings Large Crowd of Crafters
Della Steward recalls learning to knit from her grandmother one summer as she sat in a wheelchair recovering from an illness. She says knitting brings back warm memories of those times. The 56-year-old Allentown woman shared her feelings, time, and talent ... read more
The Value of Vaccines: Why the World Needs Immunization
In celebration of the World Health Organization’s World Immunization Week (April 22-28), it’s time to talk vaccines—why we need them, how they’ve been successful, and which immunization schedule you should be following. The theme of this year’s awareness week ... read more
Health Care: Who Makes Decisions When You Can’t?
Time to talk about end-of-life wishes Who would speak for you about your health care and medical decisions if you were unable to do so? It’s never too early to start talking about advanced care plans and end-of-life wishes. HAP and Pennsylvania ... read more
Kidney Donation Gives Melissa Coleman a Second Chance at Life
Melissa Coleman has a second chance at life, and she owes it to the selflessness of a 14-year-old's family who had to make a tough call at an unimaginable time. When Sean Clegg was riding his bike outside of his house in Tabernacle, N.J., with his brother and ... read more
Why Minority Health Month Should Matter to You
Bridging Health Equity Across Communities April is National Minority Health Month, a time dedicated to improving health equity for racial and ethnic minorities on a national level. Established to advocate for furthering health equity, this year’s theme is ... read more
Shake the Pollen: 8 Ways to Conquer Spring Allergies
For many, the telltale signs of spring are a runny nose and itchy eyes. What allergens should Pennsylvanians be on the lookout for — and how can we avoid them altogether? The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recently released its 2016 list of most ... read more
Thyroid Awareness
Amanda Heagy knew something felt off. “I couldn’t keep weight on. I was starving. I was exhausted. I just chalked it up to having a baby,” said Heagy, of New Holland, PA. But after tests revealed nodules on her thyroid, Amanda was left with two options: get ... read more
Depression Symptoms and Ways to Reach Out
In April, the World Health Organization called us to gather to talk about a topic that sorely needs to be addressed: depression. It’s pervasive and real, and it impacts more people than we might realize. Depression is the most common form of mental illness, ... read more
Caffeine Culprits: Hidden Sources of Caffeine
Skipping coffee and soda? These caffeine culprits might still be sneaking into your diet! read more
Curb Your Cravings
Craving comfort foods? Curb cravings with this snacking cheat sheet! read more
Meet Michelle: A National Parent Advocate for Type 1 Diabetes
Michelle didn't recognize the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in her young son. So she became an advocate to educate parents and pediatricians on the warning signs. Excessive thirst, fatigue, mood swings, and low energy. Seven-year-old Jonathan Berman had been ... read more
Spring Cleaning? Follow Non-Toxic Cleaning Safety Tips
Winter is on the way out, and for many parents that means it’s time for spring cleaning. But before you break out the bleach, pay attention to product labels. Every day, over 300 children in the United States ages 0 to 19 are treated in an emergency department as ... read more
What Does Vision Insurance Actually Cover?
Wrestling with questions about what vision insurance covers—and whether it’s worth it? We’ve got you covered. If your vision has always been a perfect 20/20 and you could pass any eye test without blinking—congratulations, you’re a statistical ... read more
March Wellness Fitness Challenge Game
You don’t have to be a basketball whiz to join our bracket challenge! Follow our bracket full of healthy challenges that line up with the NCAA game schedule. read more
Healthy Vision: Top 6 Sight Savers
Spending long hours in front of the computer at work? Take a cue from the American Academy of Ophthalmology as it observes Workplace Eye Wellness Month in March. Eye health is more important than you may think. Frequent visits to an eye doctor can help detect ... read more
Tricks for a Healthy Trade: Nutrition Edition
Eating well doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning your go-to meals in favor of an entirely new diet. Instead, making healthy changes can be as simple as switching out common calorie culprits for heart-healthy alternatives. Substitute: Lean turkey for red ... read more
Bleeding Disorder Facts and Figures
Most of us don’t think twice about the valuable defense force that our blood makes—at least not until we have to. Because of the subtle symptoms of a blood disorder, many people don’t realize they have one until they face a serious injury or surgery. Bleeding ... read more
Kidney Disease: Get the Facts
Today, one in three American adults is at risk of kidney disease. In fact, the National Kidney Foundation reports that 26 million Americans have kidney disease and most don’t even know it. How can that be? Unlike many other ailments, kidney disease ... read more
Is the Microwave Really the Best Way to Cook Veggies?
We all know that vegetables are chock full of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that we need in our diet. But when it comes to cooking vegetables, not all methods are equal. In fact, some take away some of these much-needed health benefits. Learn the ... read more
Health Spending Accounts: The Difference Between an HSA, HRA, and FSA
Health spending accounts are tax-advantaged accounts you can use to pay for your medical care. There are three types—health savings account, health reimbursement arrangement, and flexible spending account. Each has slightly different features, and works ... read more
Colon Cancer: Screening is Critical to Detect and Prevent
How many illnesses allow you to say that one screening test can prevent a death? In the case of colorectal cancer, the second-leading cancer killer in the U.S., a colonoscopy can prevent six of every 10 deaths. Imagine not just detecting cancer but preventing ... read more
8 Simple Tips for Healthy Eating
Struggling to stay on track? A University of Scranton research study suggests only 8 percent of people follow through with their New Year’s resolutions. If you find yourself one of the 92 percent who do not fulfill them, there’s still time to kick bad ... read more
International Women’s Day: Health Tips for the Ladies in Your Life
March 8 is International Women’s Day, a time to celebrate the strong, powerful, and inspiring women in our lives. This year’s theme is #BeBoldForChange—and one of the best changes we can make is to live healthier lives. Certain health conditions affect women ... read more
Humans of PA: How Do You Beat the Winter Blues?
Humans of PA Series We could all use a boost to get through the winter. So we asked Pennsylvanians: How do you beat the winter blues? If these tips don’t do the trick, check out this 5-step guide to treating seasonal affective disorder ... read more
Do I Need an Antibiotic? Bacterial vs. Viral Infections
Bacteria vs virus – learn the difference and treatment options Think a good dose of antibiotics will knock that cold, flu or COVID-19 out of you? Think again. Antibiotics, if prescribed and taken correctly, usually can kill bacteria but are useless against viruses ... read more
Say Ah: A 5 Minute Guided Breathing Guide
Do you know the health benefits of deep breathing? Tackling stress isn’t an easy feat. Instead of using the TV to zone out at the end of each day, use guided breathing techniques to reduce your stress levels. Studies show that shallow breathing, a common ... read more
Joining a Gym? Use this Checklist Before You Sign On
Amping up your workouts by joining a new gym? It can be tricky to choose the right gym, fitness facility, or rec center. Study these 5 C’s to make the best choice: convenience, cleanliness, current, cost, and competition! Aim for Convenience: Find a ... read more
Breakfast Breakdown: 5 Myths About the Most Important Meal of the Day
Some can’t live without it; others would rather sleep in. Break down the myths and truths surrounding the first meal of the day. Most of us grew up hearing that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But is it really so crucial to kick off the day with a ... read more
5 Ways to Get Back on Track: Diet and Exercise
Here's how to get back on the wagon. Did you overindulge a bit too much? We get it. So we've got five simple tips to get your diet, exercise, and sleep schedule back on track. read more
Children’s Fevers: When to Go to the Doctor
Does that high temperature require a visit to the doctor? Here's how to tell. In the midst of cold and flu season, it’s not uncommon to wonder whether your child’s fever requires a trip to your pediatrician or family practitioner. Many parents ask themselves, ... read more
The Skinny on Adding Healthy Fats to Your Diet
It’s easy for people to cling to “no-fat” and “low-fat” labels without recognizing the true importance of regulating fat in their diets. A big misconception is that all fat is bad, which causes people to cut necessary fats from their diets and lose health ... read more
Find Your Resting and Target Heart Rate
Here's how to keep the beat during any activity. Getting too much exercise results in a high heart rate, while too little results in a low heart rate. Sounds simple, right? But did you know overtraining can cause health problems including dehydration, a drop in ... read more
4 Heart-Healthy Valentines Treat Recipes
Trying to resist chocolate this Valentine's Day? We’ve got you covered with a list of healthy sweet treats. For weekly recipe ideas, check out the Healthy Me PA YouTube channel. Real Fruit Rolls Swap fresh strawberries for a savory treat. Ingredients 3½ cups ... read more
Top 4 Tips to Prepare for Surgery
As we celebrate a month of love, don’t forget that one of the most important aspects of love is knowing how to care for yourself. Follow these simple methods from the CDC as you get ready for surgery to ensure that you’re as prepared and at ease as you can be. ... read more
Hear Courtney Simmons’ Story On Beating Cancer
“I knew that I wanted to help kids in the same way that my nurses helped me.” Just weeks after her mother’s funeral, Courtney Simmons received a devastating diagnosis: osteosarcoma, a malignant tumor. Cancer. The same disease that had so recently claimed the ... read more
Top 5 Heart-Healthy Cooking Oils
From salad dressings to fried foods, oils are a recipe staple. While each is made of fat, not all oils are created equal. These five cooking oils contain more “healthy” fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats), and less unhealthy saturated fat. Next ... read more
6 Steps Toward Better Health in 2017
Each Tuesday in January, we posted a simple challenge toward a healthier you in 2017. It doesn't matter what month it is–you can begin implementing these easy steps on any ... read more
Snow Shovel Safety Tips
Be a Smart Shoveler: Clear Snow Without Injury Nationwide, snow shoveling is responsible for about 100 deaths and countless injuries a year. Be cautious even if you're usually active because cold weather raises blood pressure and constricts arteries. Follow these ... read more
Hypothermia Vs. Frostbite: Know the Symptoms
Pennsylvanians are bracing for the cold of January, February, and early March. Anyone, who is exposed to the harsh winter weather, including persons who are homeless; individuals who work outside, such as mail carriers or construction workers; individuals ... read more
How to Dress for Winter: The 3 Layers You Need
Learn how to dress for cold weather with these layering tips It’s winter in Pennsylvania, and that means millions of people will spend time outdoors traveling to work or school, or participating in activities such as running, hiking, and playing in the snow. No ... read more
Blood Donation: Facts vs. Fiction
Approximately every two seconds, someone in the country needs blood. The need is apparent—but many people are hesitant to donate due to a lack of time, dislike of needles, or misunderstanding of their eligibility as a donor. The process is fairly ... read more
Polar Bear Plunge Safety Tips
Taking the Polar Bear Plunge to support Special Olympics this winter? Pennsylvania is home to many polar plunge events this winter. But before you get your feet wet, follow these four important safety tips! To learn more about the cause, visit ... read more
Tyrone Fitness Challenge Targets Diabetes, Obesity
Tyrone Hospital event a model for Blair County contest Five years ago, Tyrone Hospital helped pull together a small group of companies to bring northern Blair County out of the health care basement: A community health assessment ranked it 63rd of 67 ... read more
Top 6 Family-Friendly Pennsylvania Ski Resorts
Find the perfect place to take your family for some winter outdoor fun! January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in Pennsylvania. Check out six great family-friendly resorts to take your loved ones out for some fun this winter. To locate a ski resort near you, ... read more
Pennsylvania Blood Banks: Where to Donate
Did you know that January is National Blood Donor Month? Whether you're a first-time donor or an experienced pro, you should be proud of the steps you've taken to help Pennsylvanians. Share this sticker if you've donated! For a list of blood drives across the ... read more
2017 Doctor Appointment Checklist
Start the new year right by planning ahead to make sure your family pays these doctors a visit. Your primary care doctor should know your health history and be able to refer you to the right specialist, if you need one. You can check visits off throughout ... read more
Seasonal Safety Tips for Senior Citizens
Pennsylvania’s winter weather can be a challenge for senior citizens trying to get to doctor appointments. These tips will help you keep your appointment despite the snow and ice. And remember, many area agencies offer transportation services. Learn more ... read more
Realistic New Year’s Resolutions
Yikes - only 8% of people actually stick to their New Year’s goals. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of realistic resolutions. The best thing about these tips? You can start them any time. So no worries if you fall off the wagon… hey, we’re only ... read more
Humans of PA: 2016 Resolutions
To finish out the new year, we asked Pennsylvanians—what healthy accomplishment are you proud of this year? We’d love to hear your proudest moments, too! read more
5 Tips to Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Beat the Winter Blues with Self-Care Tips Did you know up to 6% of Americans suffer from SAD? This type of depression emerges most frequently in winter months. Day 1: Go for a daytime stroll Physical activity and vitamin D from the sun are ... read more
Share Holiday Cheer at Your Local Hospital
Each Tuesday in December, we're making life a little brighter for health care providers and patients. This week, we hope you'll consider downloading these cards and then sending them to a nurse, a doctor, or a patient at your local hospital. Simply click ... read more
Flick & Flex Holiday Movie Series
Here's a healthy way to host a movie night: make it a Flick & Flex night! Come up with simple exercises you can do when things happen throughout the movie to get off the couch and get your blood flowing. We came up with some ideas for you to do as you ... read more
Pennsylvania Health Policy: 2016 in Review
It’s been a significant year for Pennsylvania’s health care field, with changes in policy from opioid awareness to diabetes medical care access. Take a look at some of the biggest changes, and how they affect you and your family. June: Sweet Tooth ... read more
Your Personal Health Record Checklist
A personal health record (PHR) is a tool you can use to help manage your health and track your care. PHRs also can be important tools for parents to keep track of their children’s health. Parents who keep a PHR are more likely to adhere to the recommended wellness ... read more
Best Baking Ingredient Substitutes: Healthy Tricks and Tips
Baking a few batches of holiday cookies? You don't have to give up your favorite baked goods to stay healthy this holiday season. Keep the delicious flavor and eat healthier by using these easy ingredient alternatives. For more healthy #HolidayRecipes, head ... read more
Outdoor Decoration Safety Tips
Decking the halls and your home, too? ‘Tis the season to decorate—but before you break out the bright lights, take a few precautions. read more
Gift Giving: Children’s Toy Safety
It’s no surprise that December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month. Did you know there were more than 185,000 toy-related emergency room-treated injuries last year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)? You can reduce the chances ... read more
Food Bank Donation FAQ
Get in the #GivingTuesday spirit and donate to a local food bank. Here's what to put in (and leave out) of your grocery cart. Did you know more than 1.76 million Pennsylvanians—one in seven—are at risk of going hungry? Before you toss those leftover ... read more
Holiday First-Aid Kit
Are you prepared for whatever the holidays throw at you? Keep these first-aid essentials on hand to tackle anything from cooking burns to winter bugs. For additional winter emergency kit ideas, check out the American Red Cross holiday safety tips. Aloe vera: ... read more
4 Steps to Antibiotic Safety
Did you know it’s #AntibioticSafetyWeek? Don’t let germs outsmart you—follow these steps to make sure your body can fight infections effectively. A safe, doctor-prescribed antibiotic treatment course can do a world of good when you’re suffering from a bacterial ... read more
Winter Stress? Try These Holiday Self-Care Hacks
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of health by following these self-care tips. read more
Diabetes in Pennsylvania
Did you know one in two adults with diabetes is undiagnosed? Learn why it’s important to get tested. More than 1.4 million Pennsylvanians have diabetes, but an estimated 325,000—or one in four—don’t know it, the American Diabetes Association reports. Only 5 ... read more
Outdoor Exercise Safety Tips
As winter approaches, it’s important for runners to keep themselves safe in the cold weather. Because of the potential harmful effects of the cold, persons who run in the winter must take extra care to protect their bodies. Tip 1: Dress in layers, and ... read more
Where Can You Find a Flu Shot?
Less than half of Americans prepared for flu season with a vaccination last year. Here’s why that stat should change this fall. Five to 20 percent of Pennsylvanians get the flu each year—and up to 2,000 die from flu-related complications. On top of that stat, less ... read more
Mustache Movember: Show us Your Selfies!
What’s Movember All About? Find out why Movember is “changing the face of men’s health.” You might spot more mustaches than usual this November, or as it’s known by many mustachioed men, “Movember.” Movember is a movement to talk about men’s health during ... read more
6 Ways to Safely Heat Your Home this Winter
As temperatures drop, heat your home safely Families around the country are turning on the heat in their homes, sometimes for the first time in months. While nothing feels better on a frosty night than the warmth emanating from a register or curling up in ... read more
Get Covered: Preventive Health Services
Are you paying for preventive services that your health care provider should be covering? Most health plans must cover a set of preventive services at no cost to you—from flu shots to screenings. Many of these plans are available through the Health Insurance ... read more
Common Allergies By Season – And How to Treat Them
Learn which pollens are most common in Pennsylvania throughout the year and how to minimize allergic reactions. Fashion isn’t the only thing that changes by the season. Learn which allergies have a habit of striking during certain times—and the best tricks to ... read more
Don’t Let Food Labels Fool You
Could your “healthy” food actually be harming your efforts to eat right? Many Americans are misled by food labeling that doesn’t always measure up to FDA guidelines. Look over our label guide the next time you grocery shop! For more info, visit the FDA's food ... read more
Sweet and Safe: Halloween Candy Safety Tips
Going trick-or-treating this Halloween? Make sure your kid’s candy is as safe as it is sweet! For more safety tips from the @FDA, visit the FDA Food Consumer Resource. 1. Check and sort treats before consuming them 2. Examine wrappers for signs of ... read more
Trick or Treat Safety Tips
Taking the kids trick-or-treating this October? Say "boo" to safety hazards by following these 5 Halloween trick-or-treat rules. For more info, visit SafeKids.org 1. Steer Clear of ... read more
What’s a Patient Portal? See the Top 5 Benefits
Medicine in the time of technology: Step into the patient portal. Medical records have caught up with today’s digital world—learn the benefits and challenges of managing your health information on a patient portal. The field of medical information is a ... read more
Breast Cancer: Spot the Symptoms, Save a Life
The Pennsylvania Department of Health wants you to know breast cancer is treatable if caught early. With nearly 2,000 breast cancer-related deaths among Pennsylvanians per year, you can help save more lives by encouraging the women in your life to adopt ... read more
5 Big Benefits of an Electronic Health Record (EHR)
What is an EHR — and why should you be using one? Wondering whether to go paperless? Learn these 5 compelling benefits of using an Electronic Health Record. An Electronic Health Record, or EHR, is a digital version of a paper chart. It allows for real-time, ... read more
Top 5 Myths About the Common Cold
Can chicken soup cure a cold? We’ve debunked five myths about the common cold, from how they’re spread to the secret behind hand sanitizer. The air is crisp and the nights are cold. But will going outside with wet hair increase your chances of catching a ... read more
How Many Calories Do Your Favorite Fall Activities Burn?
Love fall activities like picking pumpkins and hiking? Guess how many calories you can burn doing these activities—the answer might surprise you! Did you know you can burn more than 100 calories by raking your lawn? That’s right. Raking the lawn might have seemed ... read more
Top 6 Surprising Services Covered by your Health Insurance Provider
Are you paying for services that your health insurance should be covering? Check out these 6 surprising services you might not have known your provider covered, from chiropractic care to health apps. When it comes to health insurance, there’s a lot of ... read more
Walk To School Safety Tips
Walking to school is a fun, easy way to add exercise to the day, but it’s important to stay safe on your way there. Safety tips to follow on a walk to school include: Parents should plan a safe route Don’t take shortcuts Young children should walk with an ... read more
Cyber Security Tips for Your Health Data
In today’s digital world, most of our health information is readily available online. Learn some practical ways to make sure your private information is protected from prying eyes. 1. Use Password Protection Add a password or form of user identification ... read more
Best Apple Picking Orchards in Pennsylvania
If you’re looking to sample the finest apples that our state orchards have to offer, visit one of these seven locations while they’re still ripe! They're also perfect for picking other fall produce like pumpkins and gourds. Make a day of it and head to the ... read more
Child Health Month: Top 5 Health Threats to Kids
As a result of increased access to medical care and early childhood vaccinations, many formerly life-threatening diseases have now been controlled. However, there are still many health risks threatening the safety of U.S. children today — and it’s ... read more
Open Enrollment: 4 Ways to Sign Up
Open enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplace, where Pennsylvanians seeking insurance can buy policies, begins Nov. 1. Although federal lawmakers may consider changes to the Affordable Care Act—often called Obamacare—don’t miss an opportunity to ... read more
Stay Safe with National Preparedness Month Tips
Over 60 percent of adults in the U.S. don't have a household emergency plan. Don't wait—communicate! See our full list of #NationalPreparednessMonth tips here. September is National Preparedness Month—but it’s important to be prepared at all times during the year ... read more
Perfecting the Pose: Downward Dog
New to yoga, or looking to improve your practice? We're excited to announce "Perfecting the Pose," a new series of yoga beginner videos–and what better time to launch than #NationalYogaMonth? Watch PA-based instructor Andrew Siegele show you how to bend, ... read more
Honey Health Tips
September is #NationalHoneyMonth—and beyond tasting delicious, this sweet treat has a lot of unexpected health benefits. See what all the buzz about honey is about with these five surprising health uses: A Sunburn Salve: Mix 1 part raw honey with 2 parts aloe ... read more
Avoid Trampoline Trouble with Safety Steps
Flying too high in the sky? Flips, falls, and collisions on trampolines send 104,691 people to the E.R. each year—with more than 90% of injuries sustained by kids. Take these steps recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to ensure that kids stay ... read more
Assisted Living vs. In-Home Care: Weighing the Options
It can be difficult to know whom to trust with your own health and safety or that of a grandparent, parent, or spouse. Joining an assisted living community and hiring an in-home care provider are common ways families ensure loved ones do not have to face ... read more
Top 5 Age-Related Vision Problems
Keep an Eye on Your Vision. As we age, we all can expect changes in our vision. In fact, the leading causes of blindness and low vision in the United States are primarily eye diseases that occur with aging such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract, ... read more
Top 5 Age-Related Tooth Issues
Dealing with dentures or gum disease? Follow these guidelines for dental patients 65 or older. Americans are living longer and keeping more of their teeth. With age comes the danger of more cavities, gum disease, dry mouth, and other tooth problems. Visit a ... read more
Sepsis Infection Signs and Symptoms
Have you heard of sepsis? Sepsis is a medical emergency and can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and even death when untreated. More than 1.6 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with sepsis each year—and 258,000 people die from it, reports ... read more
6 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Opioids
If you need pain medication, stay safe and prevent opioid abuse by asking your doctor these six questions from Pennsylvania Medical Society: read more
Concussion Symptoms: Early, Late, & Severe
Learn the signs and symptoms to look for in children who may have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury (known as a concussion). You don’t have to play a sport to suffer a concussion. Kids can experience one taking a tumble on the playground or being hit ... read more
How Long Can Kids Stay on Parents’ Insurance?
Health insurance policies can get tricky—here’s what you need to know about the options for any child under the age of 26. Sending a child to college often means a mountain of paperwork for parents. Meal plans, class schedules, financial aid—it can get ... read more
Potato Salad Reduced Fat Recipe
Love potato salad, but hate the high calorie count? A few simple ingredient swaps will turn this classic picnic dish into a healthy one, too. Did you know you can cut the mayo with healthy whole milk greek yogurt? Or that you can sneak in a serving of ... read more
Prostate Cancer: What Do I Need to Know?
Participate in Prostate Cancer Awareness Month by brushing up on these must-know facts. Did you know that approximately 2.8 million American men are living with prostate cancer? Each year, over 29,000 men die from the disease, according to the American Cancer ... read more
Here’s How to Stress Less at Work, Home, and School
We asked Pennsylvanians: How do you de-stress? We all have those moments when we just need a breather—but in our busy everyday lives, we don’t always know how to take one. According to the American Psychological Association, 65 percent of Americans cited ... read more
Top 4 Food Safety Tips for the Perfect Picnic
Remember these steps for keeping food safe when the gang is gathered and the weather is hot. Follow these FDA-recommended pointers to stay healthy and keep food sanitized, especially during the warmer weather when bacteria thrive. CLEAN: Hands, ... read more
4 Tips for Better Sleep
Are you having trouble sleeping? Learn how to develop healthy sleep habits for a better bedtime routine with these four tips. Sleep is a vital body function that supports brain development and our physical and mental health, which is why it’s important for ... read more
Bee Safety: 5 Steps to Prevent Stings
"Bee" smart about stings and bites. With the summer sun and increased outdoor activity drawing bees from their hives, it’s important to know what to do—and what not to do. Follow these safety guidelines and treatment tips around bees: Bees are attracted to ... read more
What Is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine: Virtual visits for health care save time and money. Telemedicine delivers important—sometimes lifesaving—health care services using two-way video, smartphones, and other technology tools. It expands access to high-quality health care and saves ... read more
Backpack Fitting Pointers For Your Child
Learn the features a backpack should have for your child to avoid injury this school year. Selecting a safe backpack for your child to carry is one of the most important choices you make for the school year. Did you know improper backpack use—such as ... read more
Top 6 Sun Safety Tips
Sure, you know you should wear sunblock. But what are other ways to keep your skin safe in the sun? Read this list of six tips to prevent sunburn and heat rash when the temperatures hike. read more
Stay Safe in the Heat Wave
Need some tips to beat the heat? Follow these easy pointers to avoid dehydration, sunburn, and heat-related illness. And be sure to monitor children to make sure they're following, too! read more
Swimming Pool Safety Tips
Headed to the pool with your family to beat the heat? Follow these safety tips to prevent drowning or injury. read more
Think Outside the Lunchbox
With a little bit of planning, you can use these healthy lunch choices to pack a meal that will fuel students all day long. Many dietitians recommend starting with a protein such as turkey or beans, adding a whole grain, picking a fruit or vegetable, and ... read more
Student Athlete Fall Preseason Checklist
Start the high school sports season on the right foot by making sure you’re well equipped and ready to compete. Whether you’re a first-time high school athlete or a veteran, it’s always a good idea to make sure your bag has these essentials, especially ... read more
Flip-Flop Safety Tips
Headed to the beach or pool today? Follow these do’s and don’ts from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) to keep your feet healthy while sporting your favorite summer footwear: read more
4 Tips to Kick the Habit
If health weren’t enough of an incentive, here’s one more reason to quit smoking. A PA cigarette tax increase has hiked the price to $7 per pack. read more
5 Tips for Growing Produce in Your Apartment
If you live in an urban area, you might not have the best access to the fresh produce recommended for a healthy diet—or a garden to grow your own. Here are 5 tips for growing fruits and vegetables in indoor spaces. read more
5 Things You Need to Know About Vaccinations
For those wondering whether immunization is still important—after all, haven’t most infectious diseases died out?—read on for these five must-know facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccines aren’t just for kids Adults ... read more
4 Effects of the New Mental Health Services Bill
How the recent mental health services bill could impact you and your family. In July, the House of Representatives passed legislation on mental health services—a move that’s being hailed as “the first effort by lawmakers to specifically tackle federal policies ... read more
3 Tips for Managing Diabetes at School
Helping children with diabetes stay safe at school requires a team effort. Parents of children living with diabetes understand the necessity of effective diabetes management, which is especially important during school hours. In July, Pennsylvania lawmakers ... read more
The Top 6 Pennsylvania Farmers Markets
Find the freshest fruits and vegetables at your local farmers market. Pennsylvania is home to several great markets offering visitors the best selection of fruits, vegetables and other farm-fresh items.These markets play a vital role as a resource for locals ... read more
National Health Center Week Brings Accessible Care to You
Thousands of centers provide medical care across America. National Health Center Week (Aug. 7-13) highlights the quality care the centers provide, especially in areas where there aren’t enough doctors, hospitals, and other professionals to care for everyone. ... read more
Olympic Athletes from Pennsylvania
For these elite athletes, the road to Rio began in PA. Did you know? The U.S. women’s field hockey team is headquartered in Manheim, Pennsylvania at Spooky Nook Sports complex. Of the 554 American athletes competing in the Summer Olympics, 31 hail from the ... read more
6 Tips for Rear Facing Car Seat Safety
Car seat safety series: Rear-facing child safety seat law. Did you know? New legislation in PA requires children under 2 to be buckled into an approved, rear-facing child safety seat in the back seat as long as the child has not outgrown the seat manufacturer’s ... read more
Preventing Opioid Abuse
Follow these tips to avoid misusing painkillers. read more
Three Tomato Salad
8 ingredients. 5 minutes. 1 tasty meal. Check out our quick-and-easy recipe for a Three Tomato Salad! read more
Spotting Poison Ivy
Use this graphic to identify irritating plants. read more
4 Ways to Prevent Lyme Disease
Steer clear of lyme disease with these tick repelling tips. Do you know which state has the most cases of lyme disease? The CDC reports that Pennsylvania tops the list for the most cases of lyme disease. Follow these 4 tips to prevent chronic lyme: Always ... read more
Mental Health Help
Do you know someone in need of help dealing with a mental illness? read more
Spotting Skin Cancer
It can be hard to spot skin cancer - read the ABC's of detection to keep your skin safe this summer. read more
Hatha Yoga
Whether it’s participating in a morning meditation session or in a group yoga class after work, be sure to take a few deep breaths and celebrate your health! read more
Tasty Soda Substitutes
Try these heart-healthy alternatives to soda! read more
Watermelon Salad
A simple and refreshing recipe. read more
Perfect Picnic Tips
Follow these tips for the perfect picnic! read more
Sparkler Safety
Sparklers might be a fun way to celebrate Independence Day—but they reach burning temperatures of nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Follow these fireworks safety tips to keep your kids safe. read more
Don’t exercise alone
Challenge friends to a tennis match https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhkqxEJaXoo read more
Tight on time?
Learn about the benefits of in-store clinics read more
A Walk In The Park
Don't know where to hike? Check out our guide! read more
Feel the Burn!
Curious about how many calories an hour of hiking can burn? Watch below! read more
Mosquito Bite Prevention
Follow these tips to help prevent mosquito bites! read more
A new option for a picnic side dish
Cool off from the summer heat with this refreshing watermelon salad recipe! read more
Ask Questions
No question is a wrong question. Before your next doctor’s appointment, be sure to write down a list of any questions you have. Don’t leave without the answers you need. Think about bringing someone to write down your answers for you, so you can talk with and ... read more
Schools out so take a walk in the park
Check out one of these great state parks where you can take a stroll, rent a boat, and more. read more
Keep your bones strong
Increasing calcium isn't the only thing you can do to keep bones strong. Check out some other tips for bone health. read more
Get your zzz’s
Adults should get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Learn more about why sleep is so important. read more
Pedaling pointers
June is national safety month. Learn how to be safer while you cycle this summer. read more
Family History
The next time you gather the folks and kids for dinner, bring this checklist to the table: read more
Managing Arthritis
Keep these tips at your desk to relieve joint stress during the workday. read more
Fruit, Veggie, and Chia Smoothie
Mix up your breakfast routine with this refreshing smoothie recipe read more
Three Tips to Staying Hydrated
Summer is here! We've got the tips you need to stay hydrated. read more
Row into shape
Pennsylvania is home to so many beautiful bodies of water. Make it a priority to explore them this summer, while staying in shape! https://youtu.be/HXZqly8kChY read more
Picnic pointers to keep food safe
Remember these tips to keep food fresh in the summer heat. read more
#Yummy side dish for summer picnics
Check out this recipe for a lighter potato salad read more
Spot the signs of stroke F.A.S.T
It's important to recognize the signs of stroke early. Learn more about the warning signs. read more
Take a ride on your bike
Get ready to start pedaling. Check out how many calories you can burn on your bike! https://youtu.be/_G1GsuqGiJ8 read more
#FactFriday: Copays
Learn more about #copays. read more
Start your morning off right
Try this delicious breakfast cookie recipe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6gPVv3WPec&feature=youtu.be read more
Living with arthritis?
Here are some tips on how you can manage your arthritis at work. read more
Learn your history
Health history is all in the family. Learn more about what you should know. read more
Celebrating Hospital Week with Healthy Me PA
It's an exciting time for Pennsylvania hospitals and health centers. This week, the importance of these medical institutions in highlighted through National Hospital Week — and in conjunction, we announce the launch of Healthy Me PA, a digital community committed ... read more
#HospitalWeek
This #HospitalWeek Pocono Medical Center shares a weight loss program rooted in education & support. #MyHospital read more
Did You Know?
#DYK Your insurer may require a preauthorization? Feel more confident in making health care choices w/ these tips. read more