Weekly Health Tips

In a week or two, summer vacation will be officially over.  Most kids will be returning to the classroom, either reluctantly or with a high level of enthusiasm. The one common thread is they will all return. Once school starts, so will the daily routine of taking notes, listening to the teacher, reading, doing homework, getting along with other kids, and taking exams or test.  It’s also a time for competitive sports try outs, school socials, and meeting new friends.    

We all savor those last days of summer – the beaches, barbeques, picnics and family trips.  But in the back of our minds, we all know that summer will soon come to an end. It’s back to school time. And nice as it would be to stretch out those last drops of summer fun, it’s also time to prepare the kids for a fresh start to their new school year.   

This month, US Family Health Plan shines the spotlight on Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) HRCI Contractor, Christopher L. Peffley, based in Bordentown, New Jersey.  SOS was established in 2008 as a U.S. military program that provides dedicated and comprehensive support to the survivors of deceased service members. SOS supports the families of the fallen by providing access to the information and services they need -- when they need it and for however long they need it.  These families include our esteemed Gold Star Families and every other family who has lost a loved one who bravely served as part of our country’s military.

This month US Family Health Plan – a TRICARE Prime health program – has some important tips on how you live a longer, healthier life.  Today’s health professionals are taking a serious look at a new phenomenon called the Blue Zone.  Blue Zones are places in the world where people have the healthiest and longest lives. Interestingly, it has also been shown that they all have adopted a similar, healthy lifestyle, no matter where in the world they live.  In these geographic locations, it is common for people to live well into their 100’s and still be healthy and happy. Some of the Blue Zones that have been studied are Okinawa, Japan, Ikaria, Greece, Sardinia, Italy, Nicoya, Costa Rica, and Loma Linda, California, right here in the U.S.

Today, Alzheimer’s Disease and all related dementia illnesses affect over 5.4 million Americans, and this number is growing rapidly.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association, by 2050 the number will grow to over 16 million. And while most affected are over 65, a condition called early Alzheimer’s also affects more and more people in their 40’s and 50’s.