THE 1014 HEALTH LINE ISSUE 16 Spring 2022 Protecting Firefighters & Their Families...FOR LIFE INSIDEBoard of Trustees Message Covid Benefit Updates The Year of Healthy Living Healthy Family Recipe Photo by: First On Scene Photography
When taken soon after presentation of COVID-19 symptoms and a positive COVID-19 test, these medications can help reduce the severity of the virus, potentially reducing hospitalizations and deaths. These treatments are available by prescription onl and t he F DA recommends initiating them as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within five days of symptom onset. These prescriptions are covered by your Local 1014 pharmacy benefit through Express Scripts®. If you receive a prescription, you can fill it at a participating pharmacy. Please call your pharmacy to ensure they have availability before you arrive.
According to the World Health Organization at least 80 percent of all heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes could be prevented if people ate better, engaged in more physical activity and quit using tobacco.”
Dave
rcyrus@local1014.orgManager ORAL MEDICATIONSANTIVIRAL
dlassig@local1014.orgSecretary David
The Local 1014 Health Trust is committed to ensuring that our members receive the best and most effective care to treat COVID-19 and prevent serious illness.
The Local 1014 Health Plan Board of Trustees is proud to present the Spring 2022 edition of The 1014 Health YLine.our Local 1014 Health Plan Board of Trustees is dedicated to providing the highest level of service to our members while remaining on the cutting edge of the healthcare. While the pandemic may be ending, the risk is still present for our members and their families as they continue serve our most vulnerable populations. That is why we remained focused on providing the best healthcare options for treating COVID-19. To that end, in this edition we are addressing some additions to our COVID benefits including Oral Antiviral Medications and Monoclonal Antibody Treatment. Lastly, we are proud to launch our Year of Healthy Living campaign! The Local 1014 Health Trust launched this year long campaign to promote healthy living for our members and their families. According to the World Health Organization at least 80 percent of all heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes could be prevented if people ate better, engaged in more physical activity and quit using tobacco. This year, we are committed to giving our members the tools they need to stay healthy and live longer. Building healthy habits both at home and in the fire stations is the first step toward preventing diseases like diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. Throughout the year we will be providing helpful tools, tips, exercise routines, recipes and more to help our members live a long and healthy life. In this edition we kick off the campaign with some tips for keeping blood sugar low on the go, a daily exercise routine that can be done anywhere and a delicious low sugar, low carb recipe for families. As always, it is an honor to serve our fellow members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and their families.
Xavier “X” Campos, Chairman xcampos@local1014.org Jason Cervantes, jcervantes@local1014.orgTrustee Bishop, jbishop@local1014.orgTrustee Gillotte, Lassig, Morse, Silva, Cyrus, Plan
gerrysilva@local1014.orgTrustee Reg
COVID
WHATORALUPDATESBENEFITANTIVIRALMEDICATIONS:ARETHEYANDHOWARETHEY USED TO FIGHT COVID-19?
John
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MESSAGE MESSAGETRUSTEESOFBOARD
Board Members
daveg@local1014.orgTrustee Don
dmorse@local1014.orgTrustee Gerardo
In late December 2021, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s PaxlovidTM and Merck’s molnupiravir for the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for certain patients who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19.
TESTING?ANTIBODYIS
Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system when it detects harmful substances (antigens). Antibody testing is accepted standard of care testing used for decades by MD’s to see what you have been exposed to and what your immune system has responded to. Each antibody is unique and defends the body against one specific type of Antibodyantigen. testing, also known as serology testing, is usually done after full recovery from COVID-19. Eligibility may vary, depending on the availability of tests. A health care professional takes a blood sample, usually by drawing blood from a vein in the arm. Then the sample is tested to determine whether you’ve developed antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19. The immune system produces these antibodies — proteins that are critical for fighting and clearing out the virus.
10 Things to Know About COVID-19A What is it? Who makes it? How does it work? Who can take it? How effective is it? Are there any drug interactions? • How do you take it?What does it treat? How can you get it? re, PAXLOVID MOLNU PIRAVI R oo- o ���OaI tonll r • 0 a.-.rtbyalmost by ■bout M blood 90% l'lcnnonal bi con ol.t. aome INNllJ m ation1, s John'• wort •• 30% ooo ooo MILD bymout2lldall for dlyl NODEMTE Source: GoodRx
If test results show that you have antibodies, it can mean that you have been infected with the COVID-19 virus in the past or you have antibodies after being vaccinated. It may also mean that you have some immunity. However, having antibodies may not mean you’re protected against reinfection with COVID-19. But they can help prevent severe disease. The level of immunity and how long immunity lasts aren’t yet known and continue to be studied.
A doctor might order an antibody test if someone has symptoms consistent with a disease, for example, COVID, but the viral test is negative, they potentially provide complementary information. In some diseases, the presence of antibodies means you are immune, not all.
PCR testing is the preferred test, it determines if you are infected by analyzing a sample to see if it contains genetic material from the virus. Antigen tests sometime lead to a false negative because they require a higher level of virus in the test sample before the test will turn positive.
Some viruses, like measles, immunity is more or less permanent. For others, the immunity fades over time. Some, just help protect against the more serious illness/symptoms, like flu, after taking a flu shot.
TESTINGANTIBODY
WHAT
WEIGHT LOSS BENEFIT CHANGES
The Local 1014 Health Trust wants to ensure that our members and their families have access to the best and most innovative care available, and also are able to prevent further risk of disease through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle that includes eating well, exercising and regular checkups. We are engaging in a yearlong campaign of healthy eating and exercise for our members! We will be providing helpful tips, exercises, recipes and more to keep you and your family on track for a healthy lifestyle this year and beyond!!
Local 1014 continues to be committed to providing one of the most extensive weight loss benefits available. THEIR
2022 is the Year of Healthy Living for The Local 1014 Health Trust!
FAMILIES LIVE LONGER AND STRONGER
WEIGHT LOSS BENEFIT
Due to changes in criteria, we now require a review by our 1014 Patient Care Coordinator and physician documentation to ensure weight loss criteria is met. This added step will ensure that our members receive the most appropriate treatment and that they are advancing their weight loss goal in the healthiest and safest manner possible. If you are interested in learning more about our weight loss benefits call the Patient Care Coordinator's Office at 800-322-1014.
YEAR HEALTHYOF LIVING HELPING OUR MEMBERS AND
BLOODCONTROLLINGSUGAR
•Don’t store insulin or diabetes medicine in direct sunlight or in a hot car; keep them in the cooler too. Don’t put insulin directly on ice or a gel pack.
•If you’re driving, pack a cooler with healthy foods and plenty of water to drink.
•You can find healthy food options at the airport or a roadside restaurant:
Fruit, nuts, sandwiches, yogurt Salads with chicken or fish (skip the dried fruit and croutons) Eggs and omelets
Burgers with a lettuce wrap instead of a bun Fajitas (skip the tortillas and rice)
One of the most preventable diseases that affects our members and their families is Type 2 Diabetes. More than 37 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don’t know they have it. Keep your blood sugar under control on the go with these tips:
Source: The World Health Organization
•Heat can also damage your blood sugar monitor, insulin pump, and other diabetes equipment. Don’t leave them in a hot car, by a pool, in direct sunlight, or on the beach. The same goes for supplies such as test strips.
CONTROLLING BLOOD SUGAR ON THE GO
YEAR
Nutrition Facts: Serving Size: 2 cups Per Serving: 335 calories; protein 28.7g; carbohydrates 24.9g; dietary fiber 2g; sugars 1.1g; fat 12.3g; saturated fat 2.7g; cho lesterol 66.9mg; vitamin a iu 7100IU; vitamin c 30.8mg; folate 154.8mcg; calcium 143.6mg; iron 3.3mg; magnesium 107.9mg; potassium 684.5mg; sodium 499.2mg; thiamin
0.2mg. Exchanges: 3 lean protein, 2 fat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable Source: Devon O’Brien, EatingWell.com, August 2018 Total: 25 mins Active: 25 mins Servings: 4 Nutrition Profile: •Diabetes Appropriate •Egg •Healthy•Healthy•Gluten-FreeFreeAgingImmunity •Heart •Nut-Free•Low-Calorie•Low•High-ProteinHealthySodium Ingredients: • 8 ounces gluten-free penne pasta or whole-wheat penne pasta • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, trimmed, if necessary, and cut into bite-size pieces • ½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper • 4 cloves garlic, minced • ½ cup dry white wine • Juice and zest of 1 lemon • 10 cups chopped fresh spinach • 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan
Directions: Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in wine, lemon juice and zest; bring to a simmer. Remove from heat. Stir in spinach and the cooked pasta. Cover and let stand until the spinach is just wilted. Divide among 4 plates and top each serving with 1 tablespoon Parmesan.
This one-pan pasta that combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a one-bowl meal is garlicky, lemony and best served with a little parm on top. It’s a simple dinner the whole family will love.
CHICKEN & SPINACH SKILLET PASTA WITH LEMON & PARMESAN HEALTHYOF LIVING
CONTACT INFORMATION: The Local 1014 Health Plan 3460 Fletcher Avenue El Monte, CA 91731 local1014medical.orgmedicalplan@local1014.org800-660-1014
