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Workplace obesity prevention programs can be an effective way for employers to reduce obesity and lower their health care costs, lower absenteeism and increase employee productivity. CDC has a free web-based resource that provides employers with tools to create an effective obesity prevention program for employees. ... | Read More

This tool asks you to provide your gender and to answer questions about your symptoms. Based on your answers, the tool shows when symptoms may point to an emergency, or when a visit to the doctor or self care is sufficient. It is for adults only and is not a substitute for your doctor's advice. ... | Read More

In order to help fight the osteoporosis epidemic among post-menopausal women, the American Pharmacists Association developed Project ImPACT (Improve Persistence and Compliance with Therapy) to foster a collaboration between patients, physicians, and pharmacists that leads to improved detection and treatment. Project ImPACT allows pharmacists in ambulatory care settings to conduct bone mineral density screening on at-risk patients who come into the pharmacy. Based on the results of the screening test, patients are classified as high, moderate, or low risk for a bone fracture and referred to a primary care doctor for follow-up as needed. In a study of Project ImPACT, more than two thirds of those screened were found to be at high or moderate risk of fracture. Follow-up appointments were completed for 37% of patients and 24% of those were started on osteoporosis medication. Because many patients see their pharmacist more often than their doctor, making screening available at the pharmacy resulted in improved detection for those at risk for osteoporosis and is likely to have expedited the start of medication, preventing serious bone fractures. ... | Read More

Recording the illnesses of your parents, grandparents, and other blood relatives can help your doctor predict disorders you may be at risk of developing and actions that may reduce your risk. The "My Family Health Portrait" is a web-based tool that helps users organize family history information and then print it out for presentation to their family doctor. ... | Read More

Create a statewide coalition like The Oklahoma Arthritis Network. Oklahoma has a coalition that informs people about arthritis and educates people about programs and resources to help manage the disease. The network works with the Arthritis Foundation to provide training workshops to educate people about the importance of physical activity and weight control in relation to arthritis pain relief. ... | Read More

Create a statewide coalition like The Oklahoma Arthritis Network. Oklahoma has a coalition that informs people about arthritis and educates people about programs and resources to help manage the disease. The network works with the Arthritis Foundation to provide training workshops to educate people about the importance of physical activity and weight control in relation to arthritis pain relief. ... | Read More

Create a statewide coalition like The Oklahoma Arthritis Network. Oklahoma has a coalition that informs people about arthritis and educates people about programs and resources to help manage the disease. The network works with the Arthritis Foundation to provide training workshops to educate people about the importance of physical activity and weight control in relation to arthritis pain relief. ... | Read More

Broome County Steps Program has created an innovative walking program, BC Walks, to encourage people in rural areas to become more physically active to help control diabetes and obesity in the community. BC Walks has enrolled more than 80,000 participants in the last 4 years. In one year, the percentage of people in the community who walked for 30 minutes or more, 5 days a week, increased from 53% to 61%. ... | Read More

Most patients do not notice any symptoms in the early stages of diabetes, but untreated diabetes can lead to very severe consequences. The Medicare Diabetes Screening project is an effort to raise awareness about diabetes and diabetes testing among adults over 65. For anyone with pre-diabetes, Medicare will cover two free blood sugar tests every year or one free annual blood sugar test for anyone over the age of 65 with at least one of the following diabetes risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, family history of diabetes or a history of gestational diabetes or of giving birth to a baby weighing at least 9lbs. The MedicareDiabetes Screening Project provides free educational materials for diabetes as well as diabetes screening promotional information. ... | Read More

Diabetes is a disease caused by inappropriate regulation of sugar in the blood. Most patients do not notice any symptoms in the early stages of the disease, but untreated diabetes can lead to very severe consequences. Diabetes is the number one cause of acquired blindness, non-traumatic limb amputation, and end-stage kidney failure in the US. In order to increase early detection of diabetes and pre-diabetes to prevent these catastrophic outcomes, Congress authorized increased benefits for diabetes screening under Medicare in 2005. The Medicare Diabetes Screening project is an effort to raise awareness about diabetes and diabetes testing among adults over 65 and make medical providers aware of this Medicare benefit available to their patients. For anyone with pre-diabetes, Medicare will cover two free blood sugar tests every year, and Medicare will cover a free, annual blood sugar test for anyone over the age of 65 with at least one of the following diabetes risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity (BMI >25), family history of diabetes, or a history of gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing at least 9lbs. The MedicareDiabetes Screening Project provides free educational materials for diabetes as well as diabetes screening promotional information that anyone can use. ... | Read More