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WEST VALLEY VIEW NEWS | DECEMBER 22, 2021
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Time to be proactive, knowledgeable about health BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF
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delante Healthcare is urging Arizonans not to wait until the new year to make doctor’s appointments and to get screened for various diseases. There are 12 screenings that adults should be made aware of, some of which are overlooked. “Early prevention and detection can save lives,” said Pedro Cons, chief executive officer of Adelante Healthcare. “In 2021 alone, our providers screened 12,567 patients for cervical cancer and 5,478 for colorectal cancer. Studies have found that there’s a much greater survival rate for patients when cancer is caught early.” Adelante Healthcare has nine locations
throughout the state, including Buckeye, Goodyear and Peoria. Each facility is multilingual, accepts AHCCCS and has certified application advisers to help patients obtain low-cost health insurance to meet their budget and personal needs. Nobody is turned away for financial or insurance reasons. In the spirit of Christmas, here are 12 essential screenings. Blood pressure screening: Adults over the age of 18 should have their blood pressure checked every two to five years, in most cases. However, those older than 40 should have annual blood pressure screenings. Untreated blood pressure issues can lead to stroke, heart disease, heart attack and kidney failure. Cholesterol screening: Children and
adolescents should have their cholesterol checked at least once between ages 9 and 11 and again between ages 17 and 21. Healthy adults should have their cholesterol tested every four years, and more often over the age of 40. High cholesterol may have no symptoms but can cause a heart attack or stroke. Diabetes screening: Experts recommend adults who are overweight and between the ages of 35 and 70 be screened for Type 2 diabetes. It’s estimated that 1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes, which can eventually cause kidney damage, often leading to dialysis, eye damage, or an increased risk for heart disease or stroke if left untreated. Dental exam bi-annually: Everyone should visit a dentist for a routine dental exam, oral cancer screening and clean-
ing every six months, including children beginning at 1 year of age. Gum disease can lead to loss of teeth and a multitude of health complications, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke. And unfilled cavities can cause extreme pain, infection and tooth loss. Immunizations (including flu shot and COVID-19 vaccination): Doctors recommend everyone 6 months old and older receive an annual flu shot. Likewise, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is urging all people over 5 years old to get vaccinated against COVID-19. A recent study shows that unvaccinated people are 20 times more likely to experience COVID-19-associated death, versus ful-
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Give a gift that changes lives. T E X T “ VA L L E Y W I S E ” T O 9 1 9 9 9
Learn how to talk to your kids about marijuana. This publication was made possible by SAMSHA Grant number 6B08TI083044-01. The views expressed in these materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies or contractual requirements of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) or the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. 24051 AHCCCS_Newsprint_Neuropathways_4-9x4-91.indd 1
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