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health
winning
Member Services
Luis Aguilar
Health Education Lupe González, PhD, MPH
Editor
Steven Lalich
Copy Editor
Susana Enriquez
Chief Medical Officer
C. Albert Reeves, MD
2015 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. WHN31433
WINNING HEALTH is published as a community service for the
friends and patrons of GOLD COAST HEALTH PLAN, 711 E.
Daily Drive, Suite #106, Camarillo, CA 93010-6082, telephone
1-888-301-1228/TTY 1-888-310-7347.
Information in WINNING HEALTH comes from a wide range of
medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about
specific content that may affect your health, please contact your
health care Provider.
Models may be used in photos and illustrations.
things to know
ALCOHOL
Real risks–
now and later
Heavy drinking can harm
your health–right now and
down the road too.
Right now.
Drinking
alcohol can cause harm
now, such as:
You are more likely to
make poor choices. You
might choose to drive
drunk, hurt yourself or
Man up!
5
good
reasons
to see your
provider
someone else, or have sex
without a condom.
If you are pregnant, alcohol
can damage the baby’s brain.
Stop all drinking if you think
you might be pregnant.
You may drink to tr y
to cope with depression
or another mental health
problem. But you’ll need
real help–not alcohol–to get
better.
Down the road.
Long-term
heavy drinking also causes
harm. It can lead to liver
staying healthy
disease, brain damage and
heart trouble.
Cancer risk.
Alcohol use
raises the risk for cancers of
the mouth, throat, voice box
and esophagus. It also raises
the risk for breast cancer,
colorectal cancer and liver
cancer.
Talk with your provider
about alcohol. He or she can
help you do what’s best for
your health and safety.
Sources: American Cancer Society; American Public Health
Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Guys can come up with a lot
of reasons not to go in for a
checkup: “I’m too busy” or
“I’ll do it next year.”
But checkups are too
important to skip. ey
are the best way to know if
you’re on the right health
track. Also, you may be due
for a test that could nd a
serious health problem.
Do these ve excuses
sound familiar? If so, be
sure to read the responses
that follow. You may decide
to make that long overdue
appointment.
1
“I feel fine!”
Some
common health problems
can sneak up with no warning,
such as:
High blood pressure.
High cholesterol.
Diabetes.
Yet they can be managed
with your provider’s help.
2
“I don’t have a
doctor.”
Call Member
Services at Gold Coast Health
Plan and we can tell you
the name of your assigned
doctor or clinic. Our number
is
1-888-301-1228
/TTY
1-888-310-7347
Monday
through Friday from 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
If you have other health
insurance or don’t have an
assigned doctor, we can
tell you that also. Member
Services can help you choose
a doctor in your area.
3
“I hate needles and
all those medical
gadgets.”
A quick shot
or peek in your throat can
be uncomfortable for a
moment. But these steps
can help prevent a serious
illness. Or they may nd
one when it is easy to
treat.
4
“I’m too embarrassed.”
ere are few things
doctors haven’t heard
before. You can discuss
very personal matters,
such as sexual issues or
depression.
5
“I already know
what I need to do.”
With the right approach,
your doctor will become
a coach who helps you
improve your health and
life. Set goals together.
Embrace the challenge!
Source: American Heart Association