Fit Together in Action February News
Region 6 Elementary Schools Celebrate Health
Students in RSD6 elementary schools have been learning about heart health in STEM classes. Grades K-5 are learning about the function of the heart, its importance to life, and things they can do to keep their hearts healthy and strong. Julia Turtoro the school nurse at Goshen Elementary School shares that the Students have been learning that some actions that they can take each day are to drink water, get enough sleep, and to MOVE, MOVE, MOVE. Half of each class is dedicated to happy movement through DANCE! They dance, jog, march, spin, and jump to get their heart rates up. Additionally, many families are participating in the American Kids Heart Challenge, raising funds for kids with special hearts and learning about hands-only CPR.
Your Pre-Teen’s Weight
Body image and positivity are important at any age, but especially during the pre-teen years. Here are some tips to help your young one stay positive and maintain a healthy relationship with food.
Worksite Wellness
Black History Month, American Heart Month & National Cancer Awareness Month
Black History Month is a time to celebrate the great achievements and commemorate important Black heroes and events throughout our history. It’s also a time to reflect and raise awareness of racial and ethnic disparities across the health care sectors.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that Black people have a lower overall 5-year cancer survival rate than White people, and they are more likely to be diagnosed with female breast, lung, and colorectal cancers at a late stage.
The CDC also found that although African American adults are 30% more likely to have high blood pressure, they are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have their blood pressure under control. African American women are nearly 50 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, as compared to non-Hispanic white women.
Why is this so? Socioeconomic disadvantages and lifestyle factors may put Black people at a greater risk than genetics. Is your workplace a safe place to have honest discussions about racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare?
To read about patients of the Black community with chronic illnesses who are helping to make a difference, click on the link below.
A Week of Delicious Dinners to Support Your Heart Health
Eating nutritiously and leading a healthy lifestyle are two of the best things you can do to support your overall health—and your heart health, in particular. February is American Heart Month, so as we close out this month, this week's delicious dinners are a great way to take care of your heart.