Throughout the month of April, Highmark hosted a series of brown bag employee presentations to highlight National Minority Health month.

•On April 1, “When the Bough Breaks” was presented. The film explored the issue of African-American women and premature births.

•On April 15, Two presentations took place, “Sickle Cell Disease” and “Cancer by the African Community.”

•On April 19, “Autism Speaks” was presented.

•On April 26, “Gender Bias in Health Care” will be presented.

by Joyce Payne
For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—Spring has sprung! While many of us are beginning to clear out the clutter in our homes, we also may be helping loved ones with those same chores. And while you’re visiting your mom or dad, this time of year also offers the perfect opportunity for important conversations with them about staying safe at home.

For instance, you may help your loved one by cleaning the kitchen and inside the refrigerator. At the same time, you can find out if your mom is eating a balanced nutritional diet or keeping food longer than is safe. Engage your mom in conversation, and talk about what you’re seeing in the fridge. You may say something like, “Mom, this beef stew looks really good, what recipe did you use?” Or, “This chicken has got a lot of mold on it. How long has it been in here?”

DR. JOYCE PAYNE

April is National Minority Health Awareness Month and what better way to improve your health than to get up and get moving? “Man Up for Your Health! Healthy Men Move Our Communities Forward” is the theme of this year’s event. From Pittsburgh’s own star athletes Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu to President Barack Obama, we see numerous images of notable people we associate with fitness and active lifestyles. The good news is physical activity isn’t just for the young or rich and famous.

(ARA)—Are you and your health care provider on the same page when it comes to discussing your health? Does he or she think you’re doing as well at maintaining your health as you think you are? Probably not, according to a new survey conducted by StrategyOne on behalf of GE, the Cleveland Clinic and Ochsner Health System.

While about a third of patients surveyed gave themselves grades of “A” on managing their personal health, eating well, exercising regularly, managing stress and getting preventative screenings, the majority of health care providers gave Americans a grade of “C” or lower on all points, according to the survey of more than 2,000 Americans age 18 and older, and more than 1,200 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dieticians.