July is Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month. UV rays from the sun are the main cause of skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Make sure to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before being exposed to the sun and reapply every 2 hours. To protect against short- and long-term eye damage, wear a large-brimmed hat and choose large sunglasses with a tag or sticker stating they block at least 99 percent of UV rays. You can learn more about protecting your skin at protectyourskinde.com You can also check out your employee group’s EyeMed page (navigation: select your group, click the EyeMed tile) and the Cancer Resources page for other tips.

June is National Safety Month. National Safety Month is an opportunity to make a difference in your home, work, and community. Identifying risks and improving safety standards in your home or workplace protects everyone. To learn more, check out the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Safety Council, and the State of Delaware Insurance Coverage Office’s monthly newsletter, Safety Matters.

Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) announced a blood shortage in the region and called on donors to sign up for appointments at its local donor centers or pop-up locations. Donors with type O and type A blood are especially needed. Donations are by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 or visiting www.delmarvablood.org. View information on donor eligibility and COVID-19 precautions.

With over 5 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year, skin cancer is America’s most common cancer. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Remember to protect your skin from sun exposure, check your skin for warning signs, and get screened for skin cancer. Learn more on the Cancer Resources page.

April is Stress Awareness Month. When you are placed in a stressful situation, specific stress hormones rush into your bloodstream leading to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and glucose levels. This is helpful in emergency situations, but having this “rush” for extended periods of time can be dangerous and make you susceptible to health issues such as headaches, stomach disorders and depression. Learning to cope with our stress and finding healthy ways to deal with these situations can go a long way in living a healthy and positive life. Register for a FREE MindStretch session  to learn and practice breathing exercises through chair-based yoga which will help you relax and reduce stress, or check out other stress management resources available to you on the Healing & Wellness and Employee Assistance Program pages.

March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month. According to the CDC, every single day, about 2,000 U.S. workers sustain a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment. The good news is that most workplace eye injuries are preventable. Whether your workplace is onsite requiring safety equipment or in an office in front of a computer screen, there are simple and easy steps you can take to protect your vision. Learn more about how to Put Vision Safety to Work  and try the 20-20-20 Vision Challenge . You can find additional information in the March issue of the Safety Matters  newsletter provided by the Insurance Coverage Office.

February is American Heart Month. Monitoring your blood pressure is one of the most important steps you can take to maintain a healthy heart. If it is determined that you have high blood pressure, it is a good idea to work with your doctor to manage it in order to lower your risk of suffering from a heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease. Check out the resources available to State of Delaware health plan members by selecting your group from the homepage and then clicking on Aetna or Highmark Delaware. You can also learn more about heart health from the American Heart Association.

Questions about COVID-19 vaccines? Contact the Division of Public Health Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-643-1715. The call center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For the most up to date information on the vaccine, including Delaware’s Vaccination Plan please visit the Department of Public Health.

The State Employee Benefits Committee (SEBC) approved award of pharmacy benefit management to CVS Caremark. The State Group Health Plan will transition from Express Scripts to CVS Caremark for active employees and non-Medicare retirees on July 1, 2021. Medicare retirees will transition on January 1, 2022. View the current press release. 

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The public health crisis and events across the country continue to impact the blood supply, which has dropped to dangerously low levels. The Blood Bank of Delmarva needs immediate help from all eligible donors. If you’re healthy and able to visit a donor center or blood drive, please call 1-888-825-6638 or schedule an appointment at a donation location near you.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Many people are prediabetic or diabetic without knowing it, but individuals with prediabetes can reduce their risk with lifestyle changes, and individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can manage their condition for better outcomes. Check out the Diabetes Resources Page to learn more about how to keep your family healthy.

Check out these new condition management resource pages SBO has put together for you!

• The Cancer Resources page includes information on covered screenings, risk reduction resources, programs and tools available to help you and your family prevent and/or control cancer.

• The Maternity Support Resources page includes information on enhanced fertility benefits, maternity education and support programs and tools available to help you and your family welcome a healthy baby.

September is National Cholesterol Education Month, a good time to get your blood cholesterol checked and take steps to lower it if it is high. Check out the resources available to State of Delaware health plan members by selecting your group from the homepage and then clicking on Aetna or Highmark Delaware. You can also learn more about cholesterol from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Heart Association.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Visit the Preventive Care page to learn more about immunizations and other preventive services to help you stay healthy. If you are enrolled in a State of Delaware health plan, preventive care is typically covered at 100%.

In these unprecedented times, the need to focus on healing and wellbeing has never been greater. Visit our new Healing and Wellness page for resources to help you and your families practice self-care and navigate a new normal.