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Advice, insights, and true stories about your health and care.


Three steps to prevent cancer or find it early
Woman smiling

Cancer doesn’t wait and neither should you. By taking a few proactive steps now like regular screening tests, getting certain vaccines, and making healthy choices, you can lower your risk of getting cancer or detect it early when it’s most treatable.

Know your screenings

Health news

  • Prevention
Men’s Health: Prostate and colorectal cancer
Man and doctor

Prostate and colorectal cancer are the second and third most common cancers for men according to the American Cancer Society. Age, family history, ethnicity, and diets low in fruits and vegetables are among the shared risk factors. Talk to your doctor to learn more about the risks and benefits of early detection and whether you should be screened.

Should I be screened?

Health news

  • Chronic conditions
Mental wellness and heart health? Believe it or not, there’s a link
Man focusing

A growing body of research shows that people experiencing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, are at an increased risk for heart disease or other heart-related illnesses. Get more insight into the brain-heart connection and how coping with mental health is important for your physical health too.

Learn about the connection

Health news

  • Chronic conditions
Alcohol awareness: Rethink your drink to lower your risk of cancer
Woman having a drink

Most of us know some lifestyle behaviors can lead to cancer, such as smoking. But many may be surprised to learn that drinking alcohol is a risk factor for cancer, and when combined with smoking or inactivity, can contribute to as much as 40% of all cancers according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Half of U.S. adults drink alcohol. If you drink alcohol, here’s what you need to know.

Rethink your drink

Health news

  • Prevention
The diabetes and vision loss connection
Woman getting eye care

Diabetic retinopathy is just one of several eye conditions that can be caused by diabetes, leading to vision loss and blindness. Protect your eyes with regular care, increasing chances of an early diagnosis and effective treatment to slow the process.

What you can do

Health news

  • Chronic conditions
Stop cervical cancer before it starts
Women hugging

The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 14,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States in 2023. They further estimate that over 4,000 women will die from cervical cancer. But there are steps you or the women in your life can take to help prevent this disease.

Stop cervical cancer

Health news

  • Prevention
Help save future generations by using antibiotics mindfully
Prescription drugs

Antibiotic resistance, which happens when germs like bacteria and fungi develop immunity to the drugs designed to combat them, is one of the most urgent public health crises. Antibiotics can save lives, but every time they are used, they can cause side effects that can contribute to antibiotic resistance. Learn how you can protect yourself from developing an antibiotic resistance.

Prevent antibiotic resistance

Health news

  • Drug
  • Prevention
Prevent type 2 diabetes
Man running in a park

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with proven, achievable lifestyle changes, such as losing a small amount of weight and increasing physical activity – even if you’re at high risk. Knowing what puts you at risk and what you can do about it can put you on a path to better health.

Prevent type 2 diabetes

Health news

  • Prevention
Breast cancer risk factors
Woman jogging with her phone

Every woman is at risk of getting breast cancer as she ages. Learn about the risks that can be changed, those that cannot, and how regular screenings can help you stay on top of your health.

Learn the risks

Health news

  • Prevention
Safely enjoy fun in the sun
Woman with umbrella

Spending time outdoors is a great way to be physically active, reduce stress, and get much-needed vitamin D. But skin cancer, the most common cancer in the U.S., can be caused by too much sun. Follow these tips to keep yourself safe.

Get sun safe

Health news

  • Prevention
Childhood immunizations
Child raising hand

Learning the facts before making vaccination decisions is important, especially when information comes from many sources. Which information is accurate? What is the right call? Explore how vaccinations can protect your child.

Get the facts

Health news

  • Prevention
  • Vaccines
Getting shots: Help your child have a better visit
capbluecross

As children get older, they become aware that the visit often involves a shot. This can be scary and the starting point for a lifelong fear of needles. Here are some tips to help ease the anxiety.

Make shots feel better

Health news

  • Prevention
  • Vaccines
Preventing and treating low back pain
Man holding lower back

Low back pain affects people of all ages, including children. The causes range from heavy backpacks to unexpected exercise or a medical condition. Learn the risk factors and how to prevent this common ailment.

Prevent pain

Health news

  • Prevention
  • Chronic conditions
STD awareness and testing is important for long-term health
Holding hands

It’s important to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) because the consequences are so severe. Infections caused by STDs can have no symptoms and lead to chronic pain, an inability to get pregnant, and more. What’s worse: the only way to know if you’ve got an STD is to get tested because some have no symptoms. If you’re 13 to 65 and sexually active, read more to be aware, get tested, and stay healthy.

Awareness and testing

Health news

  • Prevention
  • Sexual health
HPV and cervical cancer: Know the risks and how to protect yourself
Mother and daughter on a couch

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is so common that four out of five women will contract it by age 50. For most women, it goes away on its own. But for many, it can cause cervical cancer. Learn what the risks are and how to prevent it.

Know the risks

Health news

  • Prevention
Managing your diabetes: You’re not alone
Man eating fruit

You do a lot on your own to manage your diabetes. And that's a challenge! We want to remind you that as a diabetic, you have a large support team. We’re here to help you learn who they are, what they do, and how they can help you.

Meet your team

Health news

  • Chronic conditions
Preventive vaccine FAQ: Flu, COVID-19, and RSV
Doctor giving child a flu shot

Find out how you can protect you and your loved ones by getting preventive vaccines. Here are answers to your questions about flu, COVID-19, and RSV, your vaccine coverage, and finding an in-network provider.

How to stay safe

Health news

  • Prevention
  • Vaccines
Knowing and preventing type 2 diabetes
Woman lifting weights

Type 2 diabetes is on the rise in the United States, for adults and children. Read about the risk factors and symptoms, how to prevent developing type 2 diabetes, and resources available to help manage it.

What to know

Health news

  • Chronic conditions
Preventing and controlling diabetes
Diabetes infographic

Healthy lifestyle habits, taking medicine as needed, self-management education, and keeping appointments with your healthcare team can greatly reduce the impact diabetes has on you or a loved one.

Know the facts

Health news

  • Chronic conditions
What to know about breast cancer screenings
Woman looking out the window

Breast cancer awareness comes every October, but for women, it should be year-round. Know your options for screening, when you should get screened, and how to go about getting them. Your breast health is important every day of the year.

Explore your options

Health news

  • Prevention
Get screenings and catch cancer early
Woman stretching

Unfortunately, cancer doesn’t start when you get symptoms. Cancerous cells can be found in your body before the cancer becomes a problem. That’s why it’s best to get cancer screenings when they are recommended. If you find cancerous cells early enough, outcomes are better! Here are some key screenings you should consider.

Get screened

Health news

  • Prevention
Mental health awareness: What to know
Man meditating by the window

Mental health conditions — from stress to anxiety to depression — are more common than you think. If you feel you may have a mental health condition, the first thing to know is that you aren’t alone.

What to look for

Health news

  • Chronic conditions
COVID-19 (Coronavirus): Tips for awareness and protection
medical mask

There has been a lot in the news about the coronavirus. Are we safe in the United States? Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself.

Stay safe from COVID-19

Health news

  • Prevention
Five things you can do for healthy eyes
Man wearing sunglasses

As you age, so do your eyes. Protect them now so they’re still healthy later. Here are five excellent tips to get you started.

Tips for healthy eyes

Health news

  • Prevention
The ABC(D)s of Medicare coverage in Pennsylvania
Senior couple using a computer

Choosing a Medicare plan can be overwhelming, but having the right information can make things much easier. With a short period of time to enroll, knowing the facts about Medicare before you make decisions about your healthcare can make all the difference in your enrollment experience.

Read more about coverage

Health news

  • Medicare
Advantages of Medicare Advantage plans
Child playing doctor with grandpa

Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare and is also known as Part C coverage. They cover everything Part A and Part B cover, with or without hospice care, and usually much more.

Find out about part C

Health news

  • Medicare
A healthy pregnancy starts before baby is on board
Prenatal doctor performing a checkup on patient

You don’t need to wait until you are pregnant to plan a healthy pregnancy. Start ahead of time with a preconception care visit with your healthcare provider.

Learn about prenatal care

Health news

  • Pregnancy
Vaccines for adults
Friends Smiling

Most of us get immunized as children, but we need more vaccines when we are adults. Find out which shots you need, where you can get them, and why they are important.

Find out

Health news

  • Vaccines
Kicking colon cancer when it counts
Leaking pipes

Colorectal cancer (colon cancer) may be the second leading cancer killer in the United States. But it’s also one of the most treatable—when caught early. You can do a lot to prevent this disease. Getting screened on a regular basis is key.

Learn about screenings

Health news

  • Prevention
  • Medicare
Let’s quit smoking—together
Woman breaking a cigarette

We can help you with one bad habit that's bad for your health and your bank account: smoking.

Quit smoking now

Health news

  • Habits
Capital Journal archive
Woman using a tablet

Looking for more helpful advice, insights, and true stories about your health and care?

Visit our archive

Health news

  • Chronic conditions
  • Drug
  • Habits
  • Medicare
  • Mental health
  • Pregnancy
  • Prevention

Interested in drug information? Visit our prescription education section.

Health news
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