As your partner in health, we’re here to help you understand how to get the care you need to prevent disease so you can live your life to your fullest. You can find more health information online after you log in to your member account.

Know your BMI

Your body mass index (BMI) tells you how much body fat you have. It’s a quick and painless way of screening for potential health problems. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is healthy for adults. If your BMI is 25 or over, you’re at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure and more.

For children, having too much or too little body fat can also lead to various diseases and health risks. Ask about your child’s BMI percentile at their next doctor’s appointment.

Quit tobacco

Quitting tobacco can help prevent heart disease, a multitude of cancers, birth complications and more. If you need help, there are many resources available to help you quit tobacco, such as Michigan’s free quitline and free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) at 1.800.QUIT.NOW (Spanish-language option available) or visit michigan.quitlogix.org.

Learn more about heart health

No matter your age you can have high blood pressure which heightens your risk for heart disease. Doctors recommend that blood pressure be 140/90 or lower. You can help keep your heart healthy by eating more fruits and vegetables, getting active, managing stress, not smoking and drinking in moderation if you drink alcohol.

Control your asthma

Don’t let asthma get in the way of enjoying the sunshine. Outdoor allergies, sports and even humidity can trigger an asthma attack. If you or your child has asthma, ask your doctor for an action plan and learn how to avoid your triggers. To control asthma, take long-term medicines even when your asthma isn’t acting up. Take quick-relief medicines only when needed. A case manager can help you manage your care. 

Manage your diabetes

A diabetes diagnosis can mean making a lot of lifestyle changes. If you have diabetes, it’s important to eat healthy and get active to help manage the disease. To stay healthy, know your ABCs: your A1C, your blood pressure and your cholesterol.

A1C – This is a blood test that shows the blood sugar control for the past three months. You should get this done every three to six months and try to have levels under 7%.

Blood Pressure – You should get your blood pressure measured at every doctor visit. Your goal should be under 140/90.

Cholesterol – A cholesterol test will measure the fat in your blood. If your cholesterol levels are too high, your doctor may prescribe medicine to help your body control it. See below for target cholesterol levels.

• Total Cholesterol: Under 200
• LDL Cholesterol: Under 100 (under 70 if at high risk for heart disease)
• HDL Cholesterol: Over 40 for men, over 50 for women
• Triglycerides: Under 150

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