Acupuncture Services Now Available at OAHS

Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives

Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cancer killer in the U.S. But it can be prevented. Screening helps find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective.

Facts about colon and rectal cancer:

1. In 2019, an estimated 2,300 Minnesotans will be diagnosed and 790 Minnesotans may die from colorectal cancer.
2. One in 23 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer in their lifetime, one in five of those will be diagnosed under the age of 54.
3. The American Cancer Society recommends that screening for this preventable cancer should begin at age 45 for adults with average risk. Screening should begin earlier for individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
4. In Minnesota the screening rate for colorectal cancer sits at 73.7%, increasing that by just one percentage point could mean an additional 10,000 Minnesotans would be screened, saving lives in the process.

What can be done to reduce the risk?

1. Get screened as recommended, starting at age 45, or earlier for those with certain risk factors.
2. Maintain a healthy weight, and adopt a physically active lifestyle.
3. Understand the symptoms, and talk with your doctor if you experience blood in your stool, chronic constipation or unexplained weight loss.
4. Consume a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting red and processed meats.
5. Limit your alcohol consumption and don’t smoke.

If you’re 50 or older-don’t wait. Talk to your doctor and get screened.
Call 320-839-6157 for an appointment or if you have questions.

Managing cholesterol early in life is key to lowering your risk for heart disease. Here are 4 ways to take control of your cholesterol levels today. #HeartMonth http://bit.ly/2DLXXMZExternal

The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a 100% covered annual visit under your Medicare benefit. During this in-depth discussion, the RN will review your medical history, medications, vaccinations, and risk factors for illness while creating a personalized prevention plan.

This is a wonderful benefit exclusive to patients with Medicare. Don’t miss out on a benefit you have earned and deserve.

For more information, please call 320-839-6157.

It’s that time of year again where everywhere you look you will see something pink. Pink is the official color for breast cancer and thanks to the NFL and other major partners, breast cancer awareness is at an all-time high. Unfortunately, about 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. We can still do more.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of detecting breast cancer early. Make a difference! Spread the word about mammograms, and encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved.

To schedule your mammogram please call 320-839-6157 today.

Ortonville, MN — The 2018 U.S. News Healthiest Communities Honor Roll recently recognized Big Stone County as one of 36 communities on their first ever health honor roll.

The honor roll is a component of U.S. News & World Report‘s inaugural healthiest communities rankings, a project conducted in collaboration with Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna’s charitable foundation. The project scores nearly 3,000 counties on approximately 80 indicators across 10 categories: population health, equity, education, economy, housing, food and nutrition, environment, public safety, community vitality and infrastructure. Researchers then identified the top 500 healthiest communities.

“At Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS), we’re proud of our community and to play a key roll in the health of people in our area,” Dave Rogers, CEO of OAHS.

As part of the project, each county was placed into a peer groups based on urban-rural status and economic performance, according to U.S. News & World Report. The groups are urban, high-performing rankings; urban, up-and-coming rankings; rural, high-performing rankings; and rural, up-and-coming rankings.

The honor roll comprises the top-performing communities within each peer group in these specific geographic divisions: East North Central, East South Central, Middle Atlantic, Mountain, New England, Pacific, South Atlantic, West North Central and West South Central.

The communities named to the honor roll “best serve their residents in the face of often complex health-related challenges,” according to U.S. News & World Report. Populations in honor roll communities range from 2,000 people to nearly 1 million. According to U.S. News & World Report, the honor roll communities together have an average life expectancy of 81 years and health insurance coverage exceeding 90 percent.

Here are the 36 honor roll communities.

1. Allegany County, N.Y.
2. Bennington County, Vt.
3. Leelanau County, Mich.
4. Big Stone County, Minn.
5. Lexington, Va.
6. Carson County, Texas
7. Livingston County, N.Y.
8. Carver County, Minn.
9. Marshall County, Ky.
10. Collin County, Texas
11. Mono County, Calif.
12. Dolores County, Colo.
13. Montgomery County, Va.
14. Door County, Wis.
15. Morris County, N.J.
16. Douglas County, Colo.
17. Nantucket County, Mass.
18. Dukes County, Mass.
19. Orleans County, Vt.
20. Essex County, N.Y.
21. Pickett County, Tenn.
22. Falls Church, Va.
23. Real County, Texas
24. Hamilton County, Ind.
25. Routt County, Colo.
26. Island County, Wash.
27. San Mateo County, Calif.
28. Jefferson County, Wash.
29. Sibley County, Minn.
30. Kerr County, Texas
31. Washington County, Tenn.
32. Keweenaw County, Mich.
33. Williamson County, Tenn.
34. King George County, Va.
35. Winneshiek County, Iowa
36. Latah County, Idaho