April is the month for working toward closing health disparities among minorities.
April is National Minority Month, a time for healthcare professionals to focus on closing health disparities among minority groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, gender and sexual minorities, and people with disabilities. For sales reps, that’s an opportunity to cover multiple health issues with their physician customers, including women’s health and HPV testing, vaccinations (particularly childhood immunizations), influenza, heart health and diabetes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in support of programs through the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, has targeted efforts to promote – among other things – influenza vaccination, tobacco cessation and community efforts aimed at reducing chronic disease, including diabetes and heart disease.
Childhood immunization continues to be a priority tool for addressing health disparities, according to the CDC. “Infectious disease in childhood can lead to complications, disability and death,” says the CDC. “Protecting all children from vaccine-preventable diseases is a public mandate, requiring the elimination of disparities that put some children at higher risk. Childhood immunization is a proven public health intervention that protects our nation and our children.”
Vaccines protect both those who receive them and those they come into contact with, from many infectious diseases, notes the CDC. “Vaccine-preventable diseases have a costly impact, resulting from doctor visits, hospitalizations and premature deaths.”
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A diet for life
For many – sales reps included – April is the time to get back on track with healthy eating habits. After all, warmer weather means it will soon be time to shed those bulky (and concealing) sweaters. For those looking to shed those pounds accrued this winter, the Mayo Clinic offers a few tips.
To begin with, dieting calls for the right mindset, including:
• Having realistic expectations about how much and how quickly to lose.
• Staying confident that you can make changes in your eating habits.
• Being willing to exercise regularly.
Ask yourself these questions about any diet plan you’re considering, says Mayo:
• Does it include various foods from the major food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat dairy products, lean protein sources, nuts and seeds?
• Does it include foods you like and that you would enjoy eating for a lifetime – not just for several weeks or months?
• Can you easily find these foods in your local grocery store?
• Will you be able to eat your favorite foods, or better yet, all foods?
• Does it fit your lifestyle and budget?
• Does it include proper amounts of nutrients and calories to help you lose weight safely and effectively?
• Is regular physical activity part of the plan?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, keep looking. There are better diet plans out there for you.
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Spring cleaning: A healthy house, means a healthy rep
The Homeowner’s and Trades Resource Center offers pointers for turning one’s home into a safe and healthy zone this spring:
• Change out your HVAC filter.
• Test your smoke detector.
• Wipe off the blades of ceiling fans and, if possible, switch them to summer mode.
• Get your air conditioning unit serviced.
• Complete any outdoor projects that were left unfinished this winter due to increment weather.
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