Dear Employees, January is nearly upon us, and so we have for you this month’s health management resources. WellConnected Monthly Newsletter This month’s WellConnected newsletter includes information on the benefits of coffee, sugar substitutes, New Year's resolutions, and a 30-minute, mouth-watering chili recipe. Blood Health Health Article #1: All About Anemia Anemia is a blood disorder that occurs when the blood has less than normal levels of red blood cells, or when there is a lack of hemoglobin, a form of protein, in the blood. Hemoglobin gives blood its red color and carries oxygen from the lungs to the other parts of the body. Anemia sufferers do not get enough oxygen to all the parts of their body, which limits how well organs and tissues can function. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that more than three million people in the United States suffer from anemia, making it a significant concern for many people. For more information on anemia, please check out this month’s health article. Health Article #2: Blood Donation Blood is needed for many reasons, including during emergencies and for people with cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell anemia and other illnesses. However, blood can only come from a volunteer donor—meaning blood donation can be the difference between life and death. If you are interested in donating blood, be sure to check out this month’s health article. Health Article #3: What Are Your Numbers? Knowing your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI) are extremely vital in determining whether you are at risk for developing major illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes. If you know your numbers are out of the healthy range, you can take measures to get yourself back into good health. For more information on knowing your numbers, please check out this important article. Poster: Do You Have High Cholesterol? High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading killer of men and women in the United States. Many adults have blood cholesterol levels that are high or borderline high. However, screening can identify high cholesterol, so people can seek treatment to reduce risk of disease. If you or someone you love has high cholesterol, please review this poster to find out what you can do to combat it. Be Well, Human Resources