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Health Aware
February 19, 2008, Volume 54, No. 22

Health Aware is an ongoing series designed to help you be proactive in managing your health and healthcare by taking advantage of the many resources available to you as a Penn faculty or staff member.

Focus on Fitness
Everyone understands how closely tied health and fitness are, so it makes sense that physical fitness should be a top priority in our lives. But while many of us identify “getting into shape” as one of the things we’d like to do most, there’s often a caveat—we don’t have the time or energy, we don’t like going to the gym, and anyway it’s too cold outside!

Human Resources’ spring wellness series Focus on Fitness is designed to help participants overcome these obstacles and find an exercise routine that fits their life and meets their needs. Focus on Fitness sessions take place on a monthly basis, and cover the following topics:

Baby Boomers: Work it Out!–combat the negative effects of aging by improving your physical fitness.

Managing Stress through Fitness–relieve stress by channeling tension and nervous energy into something positive.

Fitting in Fitness–find the time to exercise by making it convenient and a true priority.

S.M.A.R.T. Fitness–create a fitness routine you’ll stick to because it’s S.M.A.R.T: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.

How Healthy Are You?
Focus on Fitness is a great way to start creating a healthier future for yourself, but it’s equally important to be informed about the state of your health right now. Do you know whether your blood pressure or cholesterol is cause for concern? Find out in March with a free on-campus health screening. Screenings will be held at convenient locations around campus, and you can register for a screening time online—just visit www.hr.upenn.edu and click on Course Catalog at the top of the screen, then select Health Promotions from the Browse by Category menu. Onsite screenings are available to any Penn faculty or staff member who receives medical insurance through the University.

Free Health Risk Assessments and a Chance to Win Free Medical Coverage
Once you’ve completed your health screening, use your newly acquired knowledge to fill out an online health risk assessment. This simple tool uses information about your health habits and family history to provide you with a personalized report on your current state of health, as well as resources that can help you head off any health risks you may be facing.

Penn staff and faculty members who complete health risk assessments between March 1 and April 30, 2008 will also be entered into a raffle to win one year of free medical insurance premiums! Three eligible entrants will receive this fabulous prize (copays, deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses are not included). As with the on-campus screenings, health risk assessments are only open to staff or faculty whose medical insurance is provided by Penn.

For more details about on-campus health screenings, health risk assessments and the free medical coverage raffle, visit www.hr.upenn.edu.

—­Division of Human Resources

Free Prostate Cancer Screenings
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer other than skin cancers in American men and it remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths behind lung cancer. African-American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world and it strikes them at a younger age. Prostate cancer is one of the most treatable cancers if detected early. The Abramson Cancer Center will offer prostate cancer screening, Saturday, March 1, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the First District Plaza, next to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, 3801 Market Street. Screenings consist of a physical exam and a blood test, provided free. Space is limited and appointments are required. To register or for more information, please call 1-800-789-PENN (7366).

 

 

Almanac - February 19, 2008, Volume 54, No. 22