The Surgeon General has declared e-cigarette use among youth “an epidemic” after recent studies showed a drastic surge in use. Between 2017 and 2018, e-cigarette use increased 78% among high school students, from 11.7% in 2017 to 20.8% in 2018. In 2018, more than 3.6 million U.S. youth – including 1 in 5 high school students and 1 in 20 middle school…
By: Dr. T. Jann Caison-Sorey, associate medical director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan There are many health benefits associated with being outdoors and enjoying summertime activities. However, the season does pose its own set of risks for injury, so it’s essential that families are well-prepared. Taking preventive action can help ensure everyone enjoys a safe, happy and healthy summer.…
Summer is just around the corner, and motorcyclists are taking to the road now that the weather is heating up. Motorcycling is a popular summer activity with 472,000 motorcycles sold in just 2017. But sharing the road with a motorcycle isn’t like sharing the road with other cars, which is why motorcyclists and motorists alike need to be especially careful…
If you’ve made the switch from disposable water bottles to a reusable one, give yourself a pat on the back! U.S. landfills are overflowing with two million tons of discarded water bottles, so getting one you can refill again and again is a huge deal. But while reusable water bottles are handy and much better for the environment, they aren’t always…
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA), microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic debris, less than five millimeters in length. Unfortunately, our reliance on plastic in all forms, including microplastics, makes it “the most prevalent type of marine debris found in our ocean and Great Lakes”, again from NOAA. Despite their small size, the effects from microplastics loom large as…
According to a study by Pew Research Center, 57% of American fathers believe fatherhood is central to their identity. Fatherhood poses unique challenges for men. From raising children to keeping themselves healthy, parenting is unlike any other experience. Andy Hetzel, VP of Corporate Communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan sat down with other fathers to discuss the joys and struggles…
Researchers estimate that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies, including 5.9 million children under age 18. This equates to one in 13 children suffering from food allergies. Offices, classrooms and even restaurants often have signs that warn of food allergies. These signs, which were once isolated, are now commonplace. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the prevalence…
From work to household chores and children, it can be difficult for moms to find time throughout the day to focus on their health goals. For many, the easiest time of the day to try and fit in exercise is when the children are sleeping either early in the morning or at night. However, with days already filled with…
Brought to you by Vive Health. There are a lot of things no one warns you about when you become a parent for the first time. If there’s one subject that every new or soon-to-be parent should be debriefed on, it’s repetitive strain injuries (also known as RSIs) and how they can keep them at bay. When most people think…
From work to household chores and children, it can be difficult for moms to find time throughout the day to focus on their health goals. For many, the easiest time of the day to try and fit in exercise is when the children are sleeping either early in the morning or at night. However, with days already filled with a…
