Why You Should Consider Disability Insurance Around 50 percent of American workers have disability coverage included in their employee benefits. However, the other half must purchase coverage individually or through a voluntary benefits plan in the workplace. Regular health insurance may cover your medical bills, but Social Security disability benefits are only for long-term incapacities. Additionally, workers’ compensation will only help if you were injured or became ill at work. It’s estimated that around six percent of American workers experience short-term disabilities which can include injuries, illnesses, and pregnancies. According to a report published by Bankrate last year, more than 60 percent of Americans can’t even afford an unexpected bill of $500, which means that without a job, few people would likely be able to afford the basic costs of living. What is Disability Insurance? Disability insurance can help protect you financially if you miss work due to ill health or injury. A short-term disability insurance plan will protect workers’ incomes if they miss work between three days and six months as a result of a disability. Long-term disability insurance plans will cover periods of time between 2-10 years (or until retirement age). Most short-term disability insurance plans will cover around 60% to 70% of your income, while long-term plans cover 40-70 percent. However, you should be aware that most plans have waiting periods, which means that a certain time could lapse before you are paid. Disability insurance can help protect you financially in case you’re forced to miss work for an extended time due to illness, injury or pregnancy. For help finding the right disability insurance plan, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today.

A New Form of Light A team of scientists from Harvard University, MIT, and other locations were recently able to demonstrate that photons can be made to interact. They published research in the Science journal describing observations of three photons interacting to stick together and creating a new form of light. These observations were made during an experiment in which a weak laser beam was shone through a cloud of rubidium atoms. These rubidium atoms were cooled down to just above absolute zero and practically freezing them to a standstill. However, instead of shining through the cloud as single, randomly spaced photons like one would expect, they were bound together in either pairs or triplets. Additionally, the team realized the photons that were bound together had acquired a small portion of an electron’s mass, which is unique because photons don’t typically have mass. As a result, they were traveling 100,000 times slower than normal photons do. Additionally, the phase of each photon was measured to see how strongly they were interacting. They found that the photons that bound together weren’t just acting independently, but strongly together as well. These observations show that photons can be made to interact in different ways and that, as a result, they could be used to perform incredibly fast and complex quantum computations. Discovering that photons can be made to interact with one another opens up all kinds of opportunities. However, the team is taking it one step at a time. The next experiment will be to discover other ways that photons can interact or if they can repel one another. For the latest science news, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #NewTypeofLight #Photons

Ask if it’s time for recommended screening tests – There are a number of screening tests that are recommended based on a person’s general health, lifestyle, age, and family history. Ask your healthcare provider if there are any vaccinations, tests, or follow-up exams that you should schedule. Some of these vaccinations and tests may include STD screenings, tetanus shots, eye checks, pap tests, mammograms, or blood pressure tests. Record any health issues – Before going to your scheduled checkup, write down all health issues you’re concerned about, no matter how minor they may be. For example, note any changes in your eating habits, energy levels, menstrual cycle, weight, and more. Be completely honest with your doctor. In some cases, these issues are isolated health issues with which your doctor can help, but in other cases, they could be indicative of problems that need to be diagnosed. Review family medical history – Find out if any of your close relatives have been diagnosed with any new diseases or conditions. You’ll want to let your doctor know about these new health issues because they could influence your risk of developing certain conditions. Make sure that you’re aware of any conditions or health problems your immediate family has had in the past. For example, knowing what kind of health problems your grandparents may have had can be quite helpful for your doctor to know. It’s important you schedule regular checkups with your doctor to ensure that you remain healthy no matter how old you are. For more information concerning women’s health or to find an insurance plan that best suits your needs, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #WomensHealth

How Imprinting Affects Getting the Flu Generally speaking, adults between the age of 50 and 64 have the same hospitalization rate as children under the age of four. This year, Baby Boomers have had a higher hospitalization rate than younger children, and this can be traced back to the phenomenon of imprinting. Imprinting refers to how the immune system reacts to the first flu virus to which it’s exposed. If it’s exposed to a weaker strain, then it may have trouble later in the individual’s life when they come into contact with stronger strains. The flu virus has a protein called hemagglutinin on the surface. When the hemagglutinin on newer strains is similar to the first virus the immune system encountered, the immune system will have an easier time producing antibodies and will be able to do so more quickly once it detects the resemblance of the proteins. One of the reasons that Baby Boomers are getting sicker this year is because of the strain of flu that many of them first encountered. In 1968, there was a flu pandemic in which the virus had a very specific type of protein called H3 on the surface. Anyone born before that year was not imprinted with this strain. This year, the most prevalent strain is H3N2. Those who were imprinted with an H3 strain can more easily fight off the virus than those who weren’t, which is why so many Baby Boomers have been negatively affected. The first strain of flu you encounter can affect how you deal with new strains every year. Find out more about fighting the flu by visiting us at The Benefits Store today. #GettingtheFlu

Be Wary of the Dog Flu People with dogs should be careful about where they take them during flu season. Because the dog flu can easily spread from one dog to another through barks, coughs and sneezes, taking a pet to areas like dog parks, doggie daycares and kennels can increase the risk of exposure to the dog flu. Dog flu is a serious respiratory illness, but there are medications that can be prescribed to help your dog recover. Rest and good nutrition will be beneficial as well. However, dog flu can sometimes be difficult to identify because the symptoms are so similar to kennel cough. Some of the common signs of dog flu include a fever, green discharge from the eyes and nose, a cough that doesn’t go away, lethargy and a decrease in appetite. When dogs get the flu, they should be kept away from other dogs as well as animals in general, since the H3N2 virus can spread among all kinds of animals. While some dog owners won’t want to keep their pets away from the dog park just because it’s flu season, they should be sure to keep their dogs at home if they exhibit any symptoms. Otherwise, there’s a risk that if your dog does have the dog flu, it will spread it to other dogs. Additionally, dogs should also be protected from humans who have the flu, since dogs can contract human strains of the flu. Everyone should make an effort to take care of themselves during the flu season, but they shouldn’t forget about their dogs. For all the latest health news, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #DogFlu

Good sleep reduces inflammation – People who sleep less than six hours every night are more likely to have higher levels of C-reactive protein. This protein is associated with a higher level of heart attack risk. Additionally, they are more likely to have higher blood levels of inflammatory proteins linked to diabetes, arthritis, stroke and heart disease. Good sleep reduces stress – Individuals who get a good night’s sleep are less likely to feel stressed out the next day. By reducing stress levels, a person will help to improve their blood pressure, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Good sleep improves memory – Studies have shown that people who manage to get a good night’s rest improve their ability to remember. This is because the brain consolidates and strengthens memories during sleep. Good sleep helps to maintain a healthy weight – Studies have shown that people are more likely to feel hungry when they get less sleep. This is because sleep and metabolism are both controlled by the same areas of the brain. When a person gets sleepy, there are certain hormones that go up as a result, which, in turn, also increases the appetite. Good sleep improves energy levels – Getting a good night’s rest allows for better energy the next day, making it easier for people to be productive. Energy levels also have a big impact on a person’s mood throughout the day. These are some of the health benefits of getting enough sleep at night. To ensure you are able to stay healthy, visit us at The Benefits Store to learn more about choosing the right health insurance plan for you and your family. #GettingEnoughSleep #SleepAwareness

Diabetes is caused by obesity – Obesity may be a factor in triggering diabetes onset at a certain age, but it’s not the direct cause of diabetes. There are many other factors that lead to the development of the condition. Otherwise, the American diabetes rate, which is less than 10 percent, would be a lot closer to the obesity rate, which hovers around 50 percent. If you have diabetes, then you can’t eat sugar – Diabetes is a condition in which the body has trouble dealing with high levels of sugar; however, this doesn’t mean that patients can’t have any sugar at all. The amount of sugar they can consume depends on what kinds of medications they are on, but if consumed in moderation, sugar is not something they have to avoid completely. The use of insulin causes weight gain – This common misconception spread because weight gain can happen once a patient begins using insulin – but it’s not a result of the insulin. When blood sugar levels rise, glucose is excreted in a person’s urine. This causes some of the calories they’ve consumed to be eliminated. Once the patient begins using insulin, those calories remain in the body, which means that they may gain weight as a result of how many calories they are consuming. Avoid these common misconceptions and make sure to eat healthily, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight to reduce the risks of diabetes. Whether you have been diagnosed with diabetes or not, it’s important that you have a good health insurance plan to take care of all your healthcare needs. Be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today to find the right California health insurance plan for you. #DiabetesAwareness #DiabetesPrevention

The Worst Flu Season in a Decade Americans falling ill with the flu is increasing. Additionally, hospitalization rate has increased as well. This number is important to predicting the death rate. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), this year’s flu season is about to equal the flu season from 2014-2015. During the 2014-2015 flu season, roughly 34 million Americans fell ill with the flu, 710,000 had to go to the hospital as a result and almost 56,000 died. The CDC also tracks the number of children that die as a result of the flu. It tracks these numbers individually as opposed to death totals, which it estimates. During the 2014-2015 flu season, there were a total of 148 child flu deaths. This year, there are currently 37. There are, however, still several weeks left in the flu season. The CDC often does not learn about flu-related deaths until a few weeks after the case. This is especially true with children who die at home from the flu. The flu pandemic in 2009 was historically bad because it was a new virus. This year’s flu season is dominated by the H3N2 virus (also known as the Hong Kong flu), which has been around for almost half a century. This year’s flu season has been one of the worst the country has seen in almost a decade. Although it’s at the tail end of the flu season, people who have not had their flu shots yet should still get them. To stay up to date with all the latest health news, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #fluseason

How the Poliovirus Could Stop Cancer Research gathered from a study performed at Duke University was recently published in the Science Translational Medicine journal suggesting that the poliovirus could help the body to fight cancer. The research team consisted of Professor Smita Nair of the Department of Surgery and Dr. Matthias of the Department of Neurosurgery. The research reveals how a modified poliovirus is able to combat cancer by helping the body to identify and attack cancerous cells. This modified version of polio has been in clinical trials for almost seven years. Preliminary results have shown positive signs that the virus could fight more aggressive forms of brain tumors. The research team explored how the poliovirus acted in melanoma and triple-negative breast cancer. Studies showed that the poliovirus would attach itself to the cancerous cells as a result of the CD155 protein that these cells carried, which act as a receptor for the poliovirus. As a result, the virus begins attacking these cells, which in turn triggers the release of antigens from the tumor. The body is unable to identify these antigens, which are toxic substances, and therefore attacks them. Basically, the release of the antigens helps jumpstart the body’s immune system. Not only could this help to eliminate cancer, the process seems to have continuous success, which means that it could stop tumors from re-growing. The use of the poliovirus could help the body’s immune system to identify and more effectively attack cancerous cells, thereby fighting cancer and preventing the return growth of tumors. For all the latest news relating to cancer or to keep up to date with the latest health news in general, be sure to continue visiting us at The Benefits Store. #Poliovirus

Lifetime Friends Turn Out to be Long-Lost Brothers Macfarlene, who is 74 years old, and Robinson, who is 72, were both born in Honolulu, HI and first met in elementary school. They became close friends, to the point where their families would often vacation together. One day, Macfarlene decided he wanted to find out who his biological father was. He took a DNA ancestry test, only to find out that Robinson was his biological brother. Macfarlene was born in 1943 right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. His mother decided to give him up for adoption for reasons unknown to him. Her parents stepped having decided to “hanai” him. This Hawaiian tradition allows a family to adopt a person informally even if they do not have the proper papers. However, Robinson, who was born 15 months later, was put up for adoption. Robinson would never know who his biological mother or father were. Robinson was given DNA test opportunities from both 23 and Me and Ancestry for his birthday a few years back. He submitted swabs from his cheek for both. Last year, Macfarlane submitted DNA samples to both companies as well with the encouragement of his daughters. He was provided with a list of 800 people he was related to. It was his daughter who noticed that there was a near identical match. The name was “Robi737.” They asked Robinson if that was his username and he confirmed. DNA testing can help to not only reveal your family history, it can also bring long-lost family members together. For all the latest health news, visit The Benefits Store today. #DNATesting

Life Expectancy in the U.S. Although the life expectancy has dropped in the U.S., it’s only regarding the life expectancy of men. The life expectancy for women has not dropped. The life expectancy for men at birth is currently 76.1 years, while for women it’s 81.1 years. It’s also worth noting that the life expectancy drop wasn’t equal for all racial and ethnic groups either. The average death rate of black men increased by one percent in 2016, while the average death rate for white women dropped by one percent. The Leading Causes of Death in the U.S. The report published by the CDC revealed that the number of deaths per 100,000 has risen among young adults from 2015 to 2016. Around 63,600 of those deaths were related to drug overdoses in 2016, roughly two-thirds of which were caused by opioids. Although these overdose-related deaths were not directly linked to the drop in life expectancy, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say they are somewhat related. Death rates associated with drug overdoses have increased by 18 percent each year from 2014 to 2016. According to the report, heart disease was the leading cause of death in the U.S. Other major causes of death in the U.S. included cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, unintentional injuries, diabetes, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, Alzheimer’s disease, suicide and kidney disease. The third leading cause of death was found to be unintentional injuries, replacing chronic lower respiratory diseases in that spot from last year. (Drug overdoses are classified as unintentional injuries.) Life expectancy is dropping in the U.S., while drug-related deaths are increasing. Stay up-to-date with all the latest health news by visiting us at The Benefits Store today. #USLifeExpectancy

Why Losing Weight Shouldn’t be a Resolution There are hundreds of different diets out there that are meant to help you lose weight. Few of these diets consider what impact their advice will have over the long-term. Studies have shown that you are statistically likely to put back on whatever weight you lost on your diet. The Journal of the American Dietetic Association published research involving 80 obese women who were chronic dieters. Half of them were put on a “normal” diet. Roughly 40 percent of dieters ended up quitting the diet over time, failing to lose weight. Although many of them lost weight over the short-term, they regained that weight and even gained more weight in some cases over the long-term. Learn to Eat Intuitively Eating intuitively involves ignoring what you’ve learned about how many calories you should eat and what’s good for you and what isn’t. It’s all about learning how to listen to your body’s needs and fulfilling those needs with the food choices you make. For example, if you’re trying to decide between an apple and a candy bar, think about what your body is feeling. It may need fiber and vitamin C or it may need sugar. Make your choice based on how your body feels, not what you know about the flavor or nutrition factors of the food. Instead of going on a diet that only works for a few months, make a resolution to learn how to eat intuitively. Doing so is more likely to result in a healthier lifestyle and a positive body image. To learn about more health tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #HealthiestResolutions