New Guidance Requires Insurers to Cover Follow-Up Colonoscopies. Here’s What That Means for You

April 11, 2022

By Tammy Wild  Washington State Department of Health   The ICSEW Legislative and Policy subcommittee tracked a number of bills for the 2022 session, which included HB 1939 requiring health plans to cover, with no cost sharing, follow-up colonoscopies performed after a positive non-invasive stool test.    Due to a clarification of the Affordable Care Act (ACA),…

Six Tips to Strengthen Your Immune System

April 13, 2020

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Washington State Employee Assistance Program’s April 2020 Newsletter Strengthen Your Immune System You and your family are working hard to limit your exposure to COVID-19 by social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face, cleaning frequently-touched surfaces and more: all of the actions recommended by the…

Eat a Bigger, Better Lunch for Better Health

January 22, 2020

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Vibrant Soulful Blog by Annie Barrett Anahad O’Conner of the New York Times writes that “a growing body of research suggests that our bodies function optimally when we align our eating patterns with our circadian rhythms, the innate 24-hour cycles that tell our bodies when to wake up,…

Tips to Keep the Holidays Stress Free

December 23, 2019

Editor’s Note: this article first appeared on the Washington State Department of Corrections’ intranet. The holidays are in full swing. That means extra guests, menu planning, events and managing budgets. Here are some tips on how to manage stress during the festivities. Tips for Dealing With Holiday Stress  Make Your Well Being a Priority If you don’t take…

Flu vaccine information for pregnant women

December 13, 2017

“We’re approaching the dead of winter, and along with holiday cheer, we often see an increase in the number of state employees getting sick. Did you know that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) recommends that people get the flu vaccine every year to reduce the risk of contracting the flu and…

Women: How to deal with hair loss

June 21, 2017

Alopecia, also known as baldness, is common in men, but the condition can also effect women. In fact, up to 40 percent with those who have the condition are women. This article in Everyday Health looks at biological and external factors that contribute to the condition and ways to treat it.    

Healthy alternative to potato chips

June 14, 2017

  Kale is a dark, leafy vegetable that’s rich in vitamins and nutrients. Working it into your diet can be easier than you think. This recipe from the Food Network  turns Kale into a delicious, healthy alternative to potato chips. Try it out! Crispy Kale “Chips” Recipe

June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month

June 7, 2017

Did you know: Alzheimer’s is fatal. It kills more than breast and prostate cancer combined. Alzheimer’s is not normal aging. It’s a progressive brain disease without any cure. Alzheimer’s is more than memory loss. It appears through a variety of signs and symptoms.” Alzheimer Association, Uncover the truth about Alzheimer’s disease during Alzheimer’s & Brain…

Today is National Cancer Survivors Day

June 4, 2017

National Cancer Survivors Day® is a CELEBRATION for those who have survived, an INSPIRATION for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of SUPPORT for families, and an OUTREACH to the community. National Cancer Survivors Day

June is Men's Health Month

May 31, 2017

Anchored by a Congressional health education program, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country with screenings, health fairs, media appearances, and other health education and outreach activities.  Men’s Health Month.Org, Men’s Health Month.Org has announced June 12-18, 2017 as Men’s Health Week.