Holiday closure Monday May 28: Most county offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

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E-mail: Health Matters

Phone: 206-205-5017

Here is your December 2009 Health Matters e-Newsletter

King County Health Matters

December 2009 Health Matters browser view send to my home email

Health Matters Holiday Coupon Book


Give a gift of good health

Health Maters Holiday Coupon book

Healthy holiday
gift ideas


A guide to gifts that promote good health.

Announcements

Google has a Flu Shot Finder map.
Visit google.com/flushot and type in your address to see a list of nearby clinics, pharmacies and other places offering H1N1 vaccine, seasonal flu shots or both.

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Prevent Blindness America offers tips on says to protect children

Dec 6-12 is National Handwashing Awareness Week
Stop the spread of germs at work

Updates on H1N1 (swine flu) in King County
Stay informed with Public Health updates

King County Nurseline:
Talk to a registered nurse 24/7



In the News —

Cutting through breast-cancer confusion

Breast-cancer advice shifts

Nation is facing vaccine shortage for seasonal flu

Patients turn to online community for help healing

NHLBI Publishes New Heart Healthy Cookbook
          
Go Healthy, Not Hungry for Holiday Eating

Three-Month Supply Lowers Drug Costs

Chocolate Soothes the Stressed-Out Soul

Vaccine to kill nicotine buzz now in late tests by small drug firm

Swine-flu illnesses dropping for now, CDC says

Why exercise makes you less anxious

COBRA subsidy expiring for many

In response to employee feedback, Healthy Incentives in 2010 will be simpler to use, offer more choices of individual action plans and allow you to track your progress on the road to gold.NEW & IMPROVED HEALTHY INCENTIVESSM IN 2010
Better health the benefit; saving money the bonus

The new and improved Healthy IncentivesSM is as simple as 1, 2, 3. . . In response to employee feedback, Healthy IncentivesSM in 2010 will be simpler to use, offer more choices of individual action plans and allow you to track your progress on the road to gold. Plus, you will have access to all of WebMD’s health information to assist you with your health needs and goals. More 


YEAR IN REVIEW
During King County Walks Week in April, over 630 employees turned out to walk the talk during lunch hours.2009 was a good year for health outcomes

Since Healthy IncentivesSM began in 2005, King County employees have been doing their part to improve health and reduce costs. 2009 proved a watershed year, marking significant progress towards better health and controlling costs. More 


IwantU2StopFlu_smIN THE MIDST OF A NATIONAL VACCINE SHORTAGE
Health Matters delivers flu vaccine to employees

Health Matters delivered a record number of flu shots to employees despite a nationwide shortage of vaccine. For more info on the record number vaccinated see the flu shot program site. More


DECEMBER VIDEO OF THE MONTH
Have fun eating smart, moving more and stressing less.


Health Hero Ross Johnson, Vehicle MaintenanceHEALTH HERO
Ross Johnson, Vehicle Maintenance

I would like to nominate Ross Johnson, Vehicle Maintenance Mechanic of 30 years for Metro Transit as a health hero. Ross just turned 60 this year and keeping fit comes easy for him. More


Food and holiday gatherings often go hand in hand making it hard not to overindulge. EAT SMART DURING THE HOLIDAYS
'Tis the season to Eat SmartFood and holiday gatherings often go hand in hand making it hard not to overindulge. These tips can help you indulge in healthy eating during the holiday season. More


Healthy holiday snacks in the Recipe BoxRecipe box


MOVE MORE DURING THE HOLIDAYSConsider gifts that include activity for you and the recipient. Give your partner a voucher for dance lessons

Tips to being active when time is tight
When you’re rushing between errands, social events, work and family functions, you may think you don't have time to exercise.  Try these tips to increase your physical activity while still keeping your schedule on time.  More

Move More December Local Events Move More Events


Stress Less during the holidaysSTRESS LESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Online tools to help you make the best choices

Too often, the holiday season is a very stressful period followed by a post-holiday letdown which can take us the rest of the winter to recover. Learn more about what causes holiday stress and what you can do to avoid it. More


Smoking is expensive. Quitting is free. Learn about no-cost tobacco cessation programs offered through your King County BenefitsQUIT TOBACCO
Give yourself the gift of health.
Smoking is expensive. Quitting is free. Learn about no-cost tobacco cessation programs offered through your King County Benefits.   More
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