Learning About Diabetes Is the First Step Toward
Protecting Yourself and Your Family

Diabetes is a serious health problem that affects millions of people in the United States. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or controlled with proper diet, exercise and in some cases medication. Although Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented or cured, it can be managed. And if the disease is detected early, some of the serious complications can be avoided. What do you need to know about diabetes?

Smoking: Habit or Addiction?

Are you an occasional smoker, or do you have a strong dependence on nicotine? This short, six-question quiz can help you find out your level of dependence on nicotine. Take the quiz.

What Parents Need to Know About Sports and Concussions

It used to be called “getting your bell rung,” and when it happened, athletes of all ages were encouraged to just “shake it off.” Today, we understand that concussions can be serious, but do you know what a concussion looks like? Do you know what to do if your young athlete suffers one? Be Smart. Be Well. lays out the facts and provides tips on what you can do to keep young athletes safe.

Diabetes Prevention and Management Is in Your Hands

According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 18 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, and millions more have the disease but are undiagnosed. Want to manage your diabetes better? Are you newly diagnosed or at risk and want to prevent diabetes? Check out our November weekly tips on simple lifestyle changes that can be a big step toward diabetes prevention and management. It’s never too late to start! Connect to our Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages to join the discussion.

BCBSTX and KaBOOM! Are Building More Playgrounds Across
Texas in November

As part of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas’ “Healthy Kids, Healthy Families” initiative, we are continuing to build playgrounds with KaBOOM! across Texas to provide underserved children with a safe place to play. So far this year we’ve built three playgrounds, and two more are scheduled for November. On Nov. 3, we will partner with Boys & Girls Club of Wichita Falls to build a playground at Camp Graham Ball, and on Nov. 17, we will partner with Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Marshall.

Serious Illness Knocked Leigh Bartkowiak Down, but Not Out

Blue Cross and Blue Shield member Leigh Bartkowiak wants people to know that even if you’re down, if you start with small steps and choose attainable goals, you really can do anything you set your mind to. She didn’t let a sudden, serious illness keep her down. Learn what Leigh accomplished.