All posts in category Women’s Health Outreach

A different kind of health


Most of the time, we talk about physical health on this blog. Another type of health is our financial health.

I’m sure you already know that our financial health impacts our physical health. How much money we make impacts the quality of food we are able to buy. Having a stable job makes it possible for us to pay our rent or mortgage on time each month, keeping a roof over our heads and our bodies protected from the outdoors. And it goes on…

At the YWCA, some of the work we do is around building economic resilience. Here are a couple programs to check out:

  • Hope and Power for Your Personal Finances: This is a 10-session financial education class/support group for survivors of domestic violence. We provide childcare, transportation assistance (either gas cards or bus tickets), and food as a way to help reduce the barriers for survivors to attend. This year, we are partnering with other domestic violence agencies to teach them how to offer the classes. We don’t have our schedule quite set for the rest of the year, but clients can call Hannah Haag at any time to get put on our waiting list.  Then we’ll contact them directly when we have a class scheduled. Hannah can be reached at hhaag@ywcaworks.org  or 425-264-1406.
  • Money Mechanics: These are our newer 4-session financial education classes that are open to anyone. They are designed for people who are low-income, unemployed, or currently or recently homeless, but there are no eligibility requirements and anyone can attend. The next classes will be in Seattle and starting in May. For more information about the Money Mechanics classes please contact Constance Francis: cfrancis@ywcaworks.org or 425-264-1416.

There are also other resources available in the community outside of the YWCA. Some of our favorites are the Financial Empowerment Centers in Seattle and BankOn Seattle.

Fec logo recolored higher res8_2014(1)The Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs) provide FREE financial counseling. They can assist you with banking, credit, debt management and reduction and preparing for short and long term financial goals. Scheduling an appointment is easy! Counselors are located at agencies throughout the city of Seattle, including at YWCA Opportunity Place.  You or your client can access the online appointment scheduler by clicking here. Also – counselors speak many languages! When you open the online appointment scheduler you can clearly see when and where each language is available.

bank-on-logoBankOn Seattle is a partnership of banks, credit unions, and community organizations that can help you open free or low-cost checking and savings accounts. The program is especially focused on those who don’t have a banking relationship, including 2nd chance accounts for those who have had trouble with banks in the past. On their website you can find a list of financial institutions that participate, comparison charts of their accounts (in multiple languages!), a list of financial education providers and a calendar of classes. Want to learn more about what bank, credit union or community organization could be a good fit for you, click here and select your preferred language.

What is the ONE THING you can do to take a step towards financial health?

Let us know if we can help.

Thank you to YWCA Economic Resilience Initiative for providing the content for this blog post.

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by ywcakatie on May 4, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Community Mental Health, Health Care Access, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on May 4, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/a-different-kind-of-health/

Ride for less with ORCA LIFT


What do you know about ORCA LIFT? My hope is that you’ve already heard of this program, and if you’re eligible, you already have your LIFT card! But – in case not – the ORCA LIFT program is a new reduced fare initiative, created by King County Metro. This means, that if your income falls within the 200% of the federal poverty level – you are likely eligible for this card.

ORCA LIFT’s reduced fare of $1.50 per ride (or $54 for the PugetPass which provides you with monthly unlimited rides) works on all Metro buses, the light rail, Kitsap Transit, the water taxi to West Seattle, and the Seattle Streetcar. Sound Transit and Community Transit buses are not participating in LIFT – so the reduced fare does not apply on these bus lines and you have to pay full bus fare. But you can tap the LIFT card and apply the $1.50 LIFT fare towards the full bus fare, and then pay the additional $1.25 to pay the full fare to ride.

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If you already have a senior card or a disabled card – don’t worry! The card you already have is a better deal – only $1.00 and less than what you’d pay with the ORCA LIFT card.

Not sure if you’re eligible? Here is the income breakdown, by household size:

  • For one person (with no dependents), you’re income eligible if you make $23,540 or less;
  • For a household of two, the maximum income to qualify is $31,860;
  • For a household of three, the maximum income to qualify is $40,180;
  • For a household of four, the maximum income to qualify is $48,500; and so on.

OrcaLiftCardStill not sure if you qualify? Give us a call. Here’s my phone number: 206.461.4494 and here is ORCA LIFT Project Coordinator Natalia Arredondo’s phone number: 206.461.4482.

Prefer to do a little research online? Read about ORCA LIFT on Metro’s website here.

Want to sign up for a LIFT card?

We have community drop-in hours in downtown Seattle, White Center and Redmond. Please bring your government-issued ID and proof of income (30 days of paystubs, award letter from DSHS or the unemployment office, or your ProviderOne card). If you have questions about what to bring, please call Natalia at 206.461.4482.

YWCA Opportunity Place (2024 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121)

  • Mondays 10am-noon
  • Tuesdays 11:30am-1:30pm
  • Thursdays 10am-noon

YWCA Greenbridge (9720 8th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98106)

  • Tuesdays 1pm-4pm
  • Thursdays 1pm-4pm

YWCA Family Village Redmond (16601 NE 80th Street, Redmond, WA 98052)

  • Mondays 9:30am-4pm (closed for lunch noon-1pm)
  • Wednesdays 9:30am-4pm (closed for lunch noon-1pm)
  • Thursdays 1pm-4pm
  • Fridays 9:30am-4pm (closed for lunch noon-1pm)

Maybe none of our locations work for you. If that’s the case – check out drop-in locations at other organizations.

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by ywcakatie on April 27, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Community Mental Health, Health Care Access, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on April 27, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/ride-for-less-with-orca-lift/

Is Sitting Ruining Your Health?


Have you ever stopped to consider just how much time you spend sitting in a day?  Did you know that sitting has been connected to diabetes and heart disease?

In a 2014 Harvard Health Blog post, Harvard Women’s Health Watch‘s Executive Editor Stephanie Watson quotes several medical professionals and explains how excessive sitting is linked to chronic disease:

When you sit, you expend fewer calories than you would while standing, and you demand little effort from your muscles. Sitting too much can also lead to other behaviors that contribute to obesity and heart disease. “Many times when people are sitting, what are they doing? They’re often watching TV and snacking,” says Dr. Manson.


Many fitness professionals, sports medicine professionals and physical therapists suggest individuals spend 5 to 10 minutes of each hour standing while they work.

Stephanie Watson writes:

When it comes to exercise, “Any activity is good,” says Dr. Lee. “Some is better than none, and more is better than less.” Ideally, work in a full half-hour or hour of exercise each day, while trying to be active—even in short spurts—the rest of the time. But if you can only squeeze in 10 minutes of dedicated exercise at a time, aim for that.

What will you do to change the amount of time you sit each day? Think about taking a standing stretch break at the top of the hour.  Or, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Take a walk around the office with a coworker rather than meeting at your desk. There are endless new ways to incorporate a little more activity and a little less standing in your day. What ideas do you have?
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by marilynwho on March 30, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by marilynwho on March 30, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/03/30/is-sitting-ruining-your-health/

Co-Pays, Deductibles, and Essential Services – Oh My!!


Are you new to the health insurance system?

Did you recently change plans and are a little apprehensive about using your coverage?

Does the phrase “essential services” mean anything to you?

If you answered yes to the first two questions and are a little fuzzy on the third one, this post is for you! Don’t be embarrassed to admit that the health insurance is a bit confusing.  You are not alone! Think of it as learning a new language and remember the more you use it, the more familiar you will become with it!

On the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) site, learn about the benefits to health insurance:

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies and group health plans are required to provide you with an easy-to-understand summary about a health plan’s benefits and coverage…. The Summary of Benefits and Coverage is designed to help you better understand and evaluate your health insurance options.

Also on this site, you can learn about co-pays and deductibles! If your insurance provider offers education on the ins and out of using your insurance coverage, try to attend their workshop or read their materials. These are usually effective ways to help you get the most out of your health benefits.

Now let’s get started using your health insurance plan. Here are some helpful actions you can take:

  • Find a doctor who accepts your plan.
  • Figure out which health screenings, immunizations or essential services you are in need of. To do this, search the complete list provided on the website of HHS’s Office of Women’s Health.
  • Make the appointment! Ask if you will need to fast or not eat prior to the visit.
  • Inquire about your co-pay or deductible.
  • Write down your questions for your provider before showing up to the waiting room at the doctor’s office. The newness and nervousness may cause you to forget.
  • If this is a provider you’ve never seen before, be sure you take any prescriptions with you that you currently take.
  • Remember to take your new insurance cards!
  • Don’t be a “no show.” Visiting the doctor for the first time in a long time can be scary, but it is a vital step to take on the road to good health. Set the alarm on your cell phone to help remind you!
  • Arrive early, first visits generally require the completion of paperwork.
  • Remember you are your best advocate. If you are confused by something that came up during your visit or in the statement you received in the mail following the visit, contact your provider or insurance provider.

If you haven’t signed up yet, click this link to see if you qualify to enroll during a Special Enrollment Period.

And remember insurance coverage is not a privilege, it is a right! Take care of yourself. The world needs you!!

by marilynwho on March 19, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by marilynwho on March 19, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/03/19/co-pays-deductibles-and-essential-services-oh-my/

The Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen


Is that fruit you’re buying at the grocery store the healthiest it could possibly be? Did you know that lots of fruits and veggies have been exposed to pesticides and may still carry a residue with them? According to Environmental Working Group (EWG), nearly two-thirds of the fresh produce tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and analyzed by EWG contained pesticide residues.

Why should we be careful about pesticides in our food?

EWG writes:

Pesticides are toxic by design. They are created expressly to kill living organisms — insects, plants and fungi that are considered “pests.” Many pesticides pose health dangers to people. These risks have been confirmed by independent research scientists and physicians across the world.

As acknowledged by U.S. and international government agencies, different pesticides have been linked to a variety of health problems, including: brain and nervous system toxicity; cancer; hormone disruption; and skin, eye and lung irritation.

Sometimes we can’t avoid it, but sometimes we are able to make a choice. Some produce is more likely to carry pesticide residue with them – and some are less likely! EWG puts out information every year about what produce is more pesticide-contaminated so that we can do our best to avoid them. Read more here.

It’s true – organic food can be expensive. If you are going to buy organic, why not buy organic produce where it really will impact your health? For example, a few items on the Clean Fifteen list – these are ok to eat non-organic – include avocados, sweet corn, pineapples and cabbage. And the Dirty Dozen – produce that is better when organic – includes apples, peaches, nectarines and strawberries.

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by ywcakatie on March 5, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on March 5, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/03/05/the-dirty-dozen-clean-fifteen/

Don’t forget to enroll by February 15th!


Since last November, thousands have been enrolling in health coverage for 2015. Don’t miss your chance to sign up for a health plan through Washington HealthPlanFinder. Enrollment ends on February 15th!

Visit Washington HealthPlanFinder to learn more about your options and to enroll in a plan. And if you’d like help signing up for coverage, reach out to a Navigator who can walk you through the steps of signing up.

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by ywcakatie on January 26, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Community Mental Health, Health Care Access, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on January 26, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/01/26/dont-forget-to-enroll-by-february-15th/

Know Your Rights


As we begin the new year and consider how we want to live in 2015, it’s a great idea to consider how you want your health to be and any new health care changes coming your way. Maybe you would like to speak with a counselor about stress in your life, are expecting a new baby in the family, or are due for your first mammogram this year.

We meet with medical professionals for help and trust their expertise. But it’s also important to know your rights when it comes to your health care. HealthCare.gov shares information with us about new rights and protections we all have, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.

How the health care law protects you

Here some additional rights and benefits, and information on how to protect yourself from fraud when you apply for insurance:

On top of what HealthCare.gov outlines as protections in the Affordable Care Act, there are protections and rights that directly support people who identify as LGBTQ. In 2014, LGBT HealthLink partnered with PROMO Missouri and lawyer Corey Prachniak to create the Healthcare Bill of Rights – a short document summarizing LGBTQ rights in the healthcare world now.

The creators of the Healthcare Bill of Rights write:

Your personal life and relationships affect your health more than you realize, so your doctor and other providers need to know your story.

We should all feel safe talking about our sexual partners, sex lives, sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity.

  • Learn how to file a complaint if you’ve faced discrimination.
  • See how you can find a medical provider who will respect your rights and identity.
  • Read how you can plan for your future care with a healthcare power of attorney.

Read the Healthcare Bill of Rights here:

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Learn more about the Healthcare Bill of Rights and its history here. And if you want your very own copy of the Healthcare Bill of Rights, check out the different versions available here.

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by ywcakatie on January 9, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Community Mental Health, Health Care Access, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on January 9, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/01/09/know-your-rights/

Cervical Cancer is Preventable


This month is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s a great time for us to educate ourselves about cervical cancer and the importance of screening.

Due to the availability of screening, few women get cervical cancer. However, many women are still not getting screened. Most deaths from cervical cancer can be prevented if more women had tests to find cervical cancer early. No woman should die of cervical cancer in our state.

There is good news:

  • Cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests (called Pap tests) and follow-up care. A Pap test can catch cervical cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.
  • HPV causes most cervical cancers. The HPV vaccine significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer. Doctors recommend that both girls and boys get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12.
  • Under the Affordable Care Act, nearly all health insurance plans cover cervical cancer screening tests at no cost.
  • Women under 40 can contact one of these family planning clinics to ask about free or low cost screenings.
  • Refer low-income, uninsured or underinsured women ages 40-64 to the Breast, Cervical and Colon Health Program (BCCHP).

Who should get screened for Cervical Cancer?

  • Women ages 21 to 65 should get the Pap test every 3 years.
  • Women 30 to 65 may choose to have the Pap test every 5 years if done with an HPV test. When these tests are performed together, it is called co-testing.
  • Women who have had the HPV vaccination should continue to get screened because the vaccine does not prevent all types of cervical cancer.
  • Women who have had a hysterectomy due to cervical cancer.

Educational materials you can use in your community:

Cervical-Infographic

Questions? Contact Kendria Dickson at kendria.dickson@doh.wa.gov or 360-236-3598.

Thanks to Public Health – Seattle & King County for the content of this blog post.

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by ywcakatie on January 2, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on January 2, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/01/02/cervical-cancer-is-preventable/

Stress Strategies


From coping with the holidays, to dealing with the darker and shorter winter days, to the ongoing stress that results from care-giving, many of us experience stress on a regular basis and have different ways to cope with it.

Today, the Office on Women’s Health and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine hosted a live conversation on Twitter about stress – they called it a #stresschat. Want to catch up on the conversation? Go here. Many different people and organizations have been participating in today’s conversation on Twitter. Here are some resources people shared that I am finding helpful.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) helps us understand what stress actually is:

Stress is a physical and emotional reaction that people experience as they encounter changes in life. Stress is a normal feeling. However, long-term stress may contribute to or worsen a range of health problems including digestive disorders, headaches, sleep disorders, and other symptoms. Stress may worsen asthma and has been linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses.

NCCAM also talks about relaxation techniques we can all use to reduce tension and address the stress we are experiencing. Different techniques include deep breathing, guided imagery and meditation. Want to learn more? Check out these five things to know about relaxation techniques for stress.

The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health says, “If you’re alive, you experience stress.” How true that is.

A little bit of stress is ok, but chronic stress can have long-lasting impacts on our health. Dr. Susan Lord, a Kripalu Healthy Living faculty member and expert in mind-body medicine, says we can “transform stress by intentionally activating the relaxation response, which increases blood flow to the brain and releases chemicals that make your organs slow down.” And that’ a good thing.

There are seven steps she suggests to activating our relaxation response and increase our mindful living:

  1. Develop self-awareness via yoga and meditation.
  2. Express yourself creatively.
  3. Be here now. Live in the present moment – not too much in the past or the future.
  4. Find community.
  5. Identify stressful thoughts and beliefs. Eavesdrop on your internal dialogue. Just noticing will prepare you to start shifting stressful thoughts and beliefs to more positive ones.
  6. Do experiments: “Identify one concern you have about your life or health, and come up with a new way to deal with it.”
  7. Avoid judgment. Notice when you start to criticize yourself and others, and be kind instead.

These are all great tips that you can use to care for yourself. But what about when you have someone else to care for, as well? AARP talks about when caregivers experience a lot of stress – and what to do to take care of yourself and the other person you’re caring for.

AARP has their own list of 10 tips. Here are just a few!

  • Put your physical needs first. If you’re not caring for yourself (eating well, getting enough sleep, getting regular medical check-ups…), you wont’ be in any shape to care for others.
  • Ask for help.
  • Get organized. Develop a system with calendars and to-do lists to help you stay on top of it all.
  • Take a break. You deserve it. Really.

We all experience significant stress at some point in our lives. It is so important that we take care of ourselves, model self-care to others, and be there for others who may be going through a tough time. What are some strategies that work for you? What is one new thing you plan to try to manage the stress in your life?

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by ywcakatie on December 17, 2014  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Community Mental Health, Health Care Access, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on December 17, 2014

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2014/12/17/stress-strategies/

A Time of Thanks!


It is really early in the morning and once again the phone alarm clock is ringing. It has been cold lately and your warm bed with fluffy pillows probably feel quite nice. You would love to snuggle deep under the covers and go back to sleep. Yet like many of us, you have to go to work!

Have you ever taken time to stop and consider how many lives the work you do really affect? Come on, pause for a minute and think about it!

As I prepared to write this post, I instinctively thought of Thanksgiving. No, I didn’t think of the meal I would eat or whether or not the Seattle Seahawks will beat the San Francisco 49ers this week! My mind drifted to the women we serve through Women’s Health Outreach at the YWCA!

Between July 2013 and June 2014, our team of three  provided 7,658 individuals – mostly women – with educational information and materials  regarding breast cancer and the importance of cancer screenings! Of this number, 445 women attended one of our monthly community mobile mammogram events in King County and had a mammogram. As a result of these mammogram events, breast cancer was found and treated in two women! Imagine the sighs of relief and the depths of appreciation from these women and their families.

Even though the people represented above entrusted Women’s Health Outreach with their health care and health education, we could never have done any of it without the Breast, Cervical, and Colon Health Program of Washington State, the Puget Sound Susan G. Komen Foundation, Swedish Medical Center, or the many donors who contribute dollars to help offset the cost of services provided.

In addition, we are grateful for the churches, schools, mosques, temples, stores, businesses and community centers that allow us to use space in their facilities to work with our patrons. And of course we can never forget our volunteers: Mrs. Etta, Mom Emma Guiterrez, Agnes, Gabby, Jenn and Letitia for supporting the cause, our work and the women we serve.

Finally, we would like to thank our co-workers at the YWCA,  friends, and families for everything done to give our careers a sense of purpose!

Although Women’s Health Outreach is a small program of Health Access within the YWCA of Seattle, we are grateful this Thanksgiving! Please take a few moments and share the things you are thankful for with us and others.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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by marilynwho on November 24, 2014  •  Permalink
Posted in Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by marilynwho on November 24, 2014

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/a-time-of-thanks/

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