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UA Health Link
OCTOBER, 2007

In this issue...
New EAP
Wellness Breaks
Cholesterol: What's the Big Deal?
October Wellness Challenge
Audiocasts
Diet and Eye Health
Upcoming Community Events

Program Links:
UA Health In Action Website
Online Wellness Center
Health Activity Tracker

Health Resources:
Find these and more on the UA Health In Action Website:
Food Term Glossary
MedlinePlus

Community Resource:
Challenge Alaska (CA) is a non-profit organization that provides sports and therapeutic recreation opportunities for those with disabilities. Challenge Alaska believes that everyone, regardless of physical ability, should have an equal chance at recreational opportunities.
Contact Info:
email: info@challengealaska.org
Phone: (907) 344-7399
Toll Free: (888) 430-2738
TTY: (907) 344-7270

Wellness Breaks:
A Wellness Break is a free half-day event brought to you by WIN for Alaska—Your Wellness Team. We offer blood cholesterol and glucose screenings, healthy snacks, a power walk, and mini-presentations. Contact us for more details, or download the Wellness Break Request Form.

If you are in a city other than Anchorage, Fairbanks or Juneau, and have more than 20 staff/faculty, we will be visiting you soon.

Health Tool:
There are important steps you can take to lower your risk of Heart Disease.

Where should you focus your prevention efforts?
Heart Disease Risk Questionnaire
Source: Harvard College

Health Tip of the Month:
Would you like to get a Health Tip by email every month? Sign Me Up!
View the last Health Tip

Upcoming
Community Events:
Anchorage
Flu Shots are now available for the community at the UAA Student Health Center (Rasmuson Hall, Suite 116)
Shots are $15 and available on a walk-in basis while supplies last. Must be 18 years or older.
Mon & Fri: 8:30am - 4pm
Tue & Thu: 8:30am - 2pm
Wed: 2:15pm - 4pm

Fairbanks and Juneau
Flu Shots: If you are interested in getting a flu shot, let us know. If there is enough interest, we may organize an onsite event.

Disclaimer: The information contained in the UA Health Link eNewsletter is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of or treatment that may be prescribed by your physician. Before adhering to any WIN for Alaska or UA Health In Action's recommendations or undertaking any exercise program, wellness advice, fitness or diet regimen, you should consult your physician. You are solely responsible for any actions that you may take based on information in the UA Health Link eNewsletter, and any such actions are at your own risk. WIN for Alaska or UA Health In Action is not responsible for any injuries or other problems that might occur due to said actions.

Because the UA Health In Action program is an approved UA Statewide Benefit, "unsubscribe" is not available for the Health Link eNewsletter.

What's New
Interest Survey and Health Risk Assessments

Interest Survey
Thank you for taking time to complete the survey. Here is a brief sample of what we've learned so far...

The top three reasons people attend wellness events:
1. Meeting people with same interests
2. Incentive prizes
3. Relevance of topic

If you haven't had a chance to take the survey you still have two weeks. Go to Survey

Health Risk Assessments
The University's health insurance provider, Premera, recently sent information by email and regular mail about taking a Health Risk Assessment (HRA). The HRA is for staff, faculty and dependents, and there's even an incentive. Go to www.alaska.edu/hr/benefits for FAQs.

New Employee Assistance Program
Goes beyond the traditional counseling services

On July 1, the University introduced a new Employee Assistance Program provider, ComPsych, the Guidance Resources Co.

Trained counselors can help with a variety of issues including personal, legal, and financial. The idea is to help staff/faculty and their families with personal concerns before they become major problems.

There are also resources available online at www.guidanceresources.com. Enter UA's company ID (GC5901Q) to set up a confidential online account.
[Read the full article published in Statewide Voice, 6/27/07]

Cholesterol: What's the Big Deal?
Why you should know

We hear about it on commercials, in the media, and even on cereal boxes—lower your cholesterol. But, if you don't know what it is, or what the numbers mean, you may not care. Here's why you should:

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in your bloodstream. Our bodies need cholesterol because it's used to form cell membranes, some hormones, and other functions. But, a high level of cholesterol in the blood is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Cholesterol is not able to dissolve in the blood, it needs to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. There are two key types of lipoproteins: Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)

LDL—known as "bad" cholesterol—can clog your arteries, cause heart disease, and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. For LDL, 100 to 129mg/dL is optimal or near optimal.

HDL—known as the "good" cholesterol—carries cholesterol away from your arteries. High HDL may protect against a heart attack. The opposite is also true: a low HDL level indicates a greater risk. A low HDL may also raise stroke risk. For HDL levels, 40 to 59 mg/dL is healthy, the higher the better.

You should get your cholesterol levels checked regularly. Your doctor can provide this service. Cholesterol checks are also available at most UA Health In Action Wellness Breaks.

Resources
What Do My Cholesterol Levels Mean? (PDF)
American Heart Association
Online Wellness Center

October Wellness Challenge
Cancer Prevention Month

quit Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. If you smoke, this is the month to quit. You can do it!

Take the challenge...download the complete Quit Smoking and/or Avoid Secondhand Smoke Wellness Challenge. Put a check mark in the shaded box each day you don't smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.

Want to quit, but need some help? Call the Alaska Tobacco Quit Line 888-842-QUIT. Help is available 24/7, and it's free.

Check out your Online Wellness Center for more information on cancer prevention. Also this month, articles and information on Nutrition and the Elderly, and Joint Pain.

Audiocasts
Exercise for your ears!

Available This Month:
Exercise Keeps Your Body and Brain Young (2:03) WIN
How to Take the Stress Out of Your Job (2:18) WIN

Think of audiocasts as mini-wellness breaks for those days when you need some time for yourself, but the pile on your desk says otherwise.

Accessing an audiocast is easy:
1) Click one of the links
2) Turn up the sound on your computer
3) Press the play arrow once
4) Get informed

To See Well, You Have to Eat Well
Good nutrition is key to protecting vision

Remember how Mom used to keep after you to "eat your carrots because they're good for your eyes!"

Mom may not have earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry—but there's been some surprising health research in recent years to show that she knew what she was talking about.
[Read full article from VSP, UA's vision care provider]