Connected Health: Dr. Soriano’s Insights on Wellness & Community

Each month, Grouper’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Theresa Soriano, explores the powerful connection between wellness and community, offering insights and tips on how staying socially engaged supports a healthier, happier life.

February 2025

February brings attention to two critical health topics—American Heart Month and National Cancer Prevention Month—reminding us of the importance of proactive health choices and regular screenings. By making simple lifestyle changes and staying socially connected, you can take meaningful steps to protect your heart and reduce your cancer risk.

Heart Health Awareness

Did you know that heart disease is the number one cause of death for men and women in most racial and ethnic groups in the United States? Some groups such as women, Black people, and those living in areas with poor access to healthy food or safe outdoor spaces to exercise are especially at risk.

The most critical risk factors for heart disease and heart attacks are high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) and smoking. These and other risk factors can be managed with medications and healthier choices under the supervision of your primary care provider or cardiologist and reduce your risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack.

Steps to Support Heart Health

There are steps you can take – and encourage others around you to take – to improve your heart health. Talk to your primary care provider or cardiologist about how you can:

  • Avoid tobacco: If you smoke, vape, or chew tobacco, make a plan to quit or cut down. Find a partner and quit together.
  • Manage blood pressure and cholesterol: Regular check-ups and medications (if prescribed) can help control these key risk factors.
  • Get moving: Aim for 30-40 minutes of moderate exercise daily, but even small efforts like 10-minute walks or chair yoga can be beneficial.
  • Choose heart-healthy foods: Opt for fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while reducing red meats, sugary drinks, and processed foods.
  • Maintain a healthy weight: Small changes, such as cutting out sugary drinks, can make a big impact.
  • Limit alcohol consumption: Stick to no more than one drink per day for women and two for men.

 

Resources for Heart Health

 

 

Cancer Prevention Awareness – Steps to Lower Cancer Risk

There are steps you can take – and encourage others to take – to help prevent many types of cancer and improve overall health. Regular screenings can catch cancer early, when it’s most treatable or even curable. Additionally, lifestyle choices like avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, and limiting alcohol consumption can significantly reduce cancer risk.

  • Quit tobacco: Avoiding smoking, vaping, and chewing tobacco are some of the most effective ways to prevent cancer.
  • Maintain a healthy weight: Small dietary changes, such as cutting out sugary drinks and increasing activity, can have a big impact.
  • Stay active: Just like heart health, regular movement—whether walking, swimming, or yoga—reduces cancer risk.
  • Eat nutritious foods: Incorporate more whole foods while reducing processed and sugary items.
  • Monitor alcohol intake: Keep it moderate to lower cancer risks.

 

Cancer Prevention Checklists

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) provides guidelines for cancer screenings for the most common cancers in adults. Following these recommendations can offer peace of mind when no cancer is found and allow for early treatment if any concerns arise. Talk to your healthcare provider about which screenings are right for you, and encourage others to do the same.

Grouper has created the below checklist to help you track your cancer screenings and your family history. Print the checklist to help guide conversations with your provider. 

Key cancer screenings

  • Colorectal Cancer Screening (adults 45-75+)
  • Lung Cancer Screening (adults 50-80 with a history of smoking)
  • Breast Cancer Screening (women 40-74, or earlier for some women)
  • Cervical Cancer Screening (women 21-65)
  • Prostate Cancer Screening (men 50+)

 

If you have a personal or strong family history of some less common types of cancer, talk to your healthcare provider about whether screening is appropriate for you:

  • Skin cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Gastric (stomach) cancer

 

Please visit the American Cancer Society website for more information on cancer prevention.



November 2024

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, marking an important time for us to understand how this disease affects almost 40 million Americans. If diabetes is not managed properly, it can result in heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputation and blindness. Diabetes is preventable, and for most Americans can be managed with a combination of diet changes, weight loss, regular physical activity and, if necessary, medication. Getting screened for diabetes or prediabetes by keeping up with your provider visits, and staying active physically and socially with your friends and family, is the best way to keep healthy.

If you have diabetes or prediabetes, remember that you CAN manage this disease and prevent complications by:

  • Keeping up with your healthcare appointments
  • Watching what you eat
  • Taking any prescribed medications for diabetes
  • Getting regular blood tests and eye exams 

Talk to others who have diabetes to get tips on how they manage their diet, physical activity and medications. Get support from friends and loved ones to keep physically and socially active however you enjoy most. Remember, even 10 minutes a day of physical activity – like walking – can improve your diabetes control!

Here are some options for additional resources on diabetes education, prevention, treatment, and research support:

Could you be at risk for diabetes or prediabetes? Take this quiz from the American Diabetes Association and discuss the results with your provider.

 

October 2024

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and while October is about to come to a close, breast cancer awareness is critical during all 12 months of the year! 

This year’s theme for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month  is “No One Should Have to Face Breast Cancer Alone”. Grouper could not agree more. We want to take this opportunity to celebrate people in our lives who are survivors of breast cancer and remember those who have passed away from this disease, knowing we can do better.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in women, and in rare instances, can also affect men. With early detection through regular screening, many breast cancers caught early can be cured.

We can all show support for breast cancer awareness this month and all year long in the following ways. Share what you do and let us know of other ways you are getting active!

  • Support people you know with breast cancer by reaching out and offering to help run an errand or just spend time together to talk and listen. Did you know that walking or other exercise after a cancer diagnosis can help patients with cancer live longer?
  • Encourage women in your life (including yourself!) to go for regular breast cancer screening, or talk to your provider about it and make an appointment if you don’t already have one
  • Talk to your friends and loved ones about joining an awareness event together, like a breast cancer awareness walk, or make time to talk about the importance of screening the next time you get together in a group
  • Learn more about breast cancer and how you can get involved in volunteering or fundraising. Here are some reputable resources:

Let’s agree to stay healthy together so we can enjoy the group activities that keep us connected with friends!