We are all creatures of habit. Some of these habits are good and some are, well, just plain bad. Bad habits directly affect not only physical health, but also mental health. Adverse behaviors and behavior patterns not only affect us, but also affect those around us...Family, friends, coworkers. Lifestyle changes are always difficult. Initiating change requires self-awareness, self-discovery, and of course, self-discipline. Positive change can be initiated, executed, and maintained independent of professional assistance. Taking charge of your health and wellness can be the most rewarding accomplishment a human being can experience. It will improve your quality of life!
The Department of Defense (DOD) has established its own goals relating to health force protection and readiness. A healthy Soldier is the most valuable resource in the Army's arsenal.
How do you stack up? Which of the leading causes of death play a role in your life? Which of the DOD health goals have you met? Which health and wellness changes could you make to enrich and lengthen your life span?
The top ten leading causes of death in the US are:
Stop Tobacco Shop provides lots of information about the effects of all tobacco use -- not just cigarette smoking -- on your health. Click on each door in the Shop to discover the truth about tobacco and find resources to help you quit...
2. Mental Wellness
Stress Management
Stress is part of life but many times the amount of stress and types of stresses you have to deal with can feel overwhelming.
Suicide Prevention
Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide. Learn about depression and its symptoms, and discover some resources to combat depression. Also learn more about suicide, its causes, and enable yourself to help in the battle of suicide prevention.
3. Weight Management
Winning the Weight Loss Race
"Diets" are something to go on today and off tomorrow. While people who go on "diets" can (and do) lose weight in the short run, the lost weight more often than not comes bounding back as soon as old eating habits are resumed.
Performance Power
A balance of sound nutrition and exercise must be developed and maintained by behavior modification to achieve and maintain a Performance Body Weight.
Lifestyle Changes
The end of January traditionally marks the end of all of the resolutions made on January 1, right? Most of us wake up on the first day of the New Year and mentally list all of the things that we intend to change to make our lives better. We stick to these resolutions faithfully for about two weeks and then...
4. Injury Prevention
Occupational Health
Even though we spend much of our time either commuting or working, most of us do not think about occupational health. Not surprisingly, many accidents occur on the job and many health issues related to our workplace environments exist.
Safety and Injury Control
The Department of Health & Human Services, Center for Disease Control, reports that each year, nearly 150,000 Americans die from injuries. Injury is the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults in this country.
5. Dental Health & Readiness
Fit 2 Bite The Fit 2 Bite web page contains current dental fitness and oral health information including links to other U.S. Army resources, such as the U.S. Army Dental Command and the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine's "Bite Site".
Dental Disease Prevention
Dental fitness is critical to unit readiness. Operations in a hostile, austere environment with limited support often cannot accommodate dental emergencies. Under these conditions, a unit cannot afford to lose Soldiers because of disease and non-battle injuries (DNBI).
Dental readiness newsletters, "Dental Bytes®", have been developed by a Soldier for you, the ARNG counter-terrorism Minuteman. Information you need to improve and maintain your individual dental posture is presented in each issue.
ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL
Kick Start Your Resolution to Change The Transtheoretical Model of change was developed by Dr. James L. Prochaska at the University of Rhode Island Cancer Prevention Research Center. It is a model for the stages that a person goes through in order to effect a change in behavior, whether it is quitting smoking, losing weight or any other change that helps you to live a healthier life.
Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) are designed to help individuals target areas for health improvement or maintenance. Please take a few minutes to complete an interactive Health Goals Checklist designed by the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine. This tool is designed to help you assess your health risk areas and determine where you might like to make changes.
An exciting feature of this web site is, HOOAH 4 CHANGE. Here you will find a model that is used by leading health care and medical experts to guide behavioral change and kick bad habits. It could provide the motivation you need to "stick with it".
Patrolling your own health... An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You've heard that one before, right? Patrolling your own health is an investment in your future and that of your Family. As a civilian Soldier, you are the best protected species in the world....
Soldier Health Maintenance Manual Your health is important because you will do your best when you feel your best. You are responsible for your health. The Army wants you to have the tools and skills you need to take care of your own health. The Soldier Health Maintenance Manual is provided here for you to download.
MEDLINEplus Health Information
HOOAH 4 YOU! The journey to achieving and maintaining a healthy mind and body begins by acquiring knowledge and tools to successfully explore and patrol your individual interests and goals. This fact-packed, government information resource brings a wealth of information to you with a click of your mouse.
MEDLINEplus will direct you to information to help answer health questions. MEDLINEplus brings together, by health topic, authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), other government, non-profit and other health-related organizations. Preformulated MEDLINE searches are included in MEDLINEplus and give easy access to the medical research literature.
Healthy People is a national health promotion and disease prevention initiative that brings together national, State, and local government agencies; nonprofit, voluntary, and professional organizations; businesses; communities; and individuals to improve the health of all Americans, eliminate disparities in health, and improve years and quality of healthy life.
OTHER RESOURCES 4 YOU
The following pull down menu box will direct you to a variety of links to health resources available on this site.
Complementary Health and Wellness covers a broad range of healing philosophies, approaches, and therapies. Read about things to consider before selecting an alternative therapy.
YMCA
The YMCA has provided educational, recreational, social and religious support to the military since 1861 and continues that effort with the Defense Department through the Armed Services YMCA headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.
Updated Army Uniform Regulations All Soldiers can now wear the U.S. flag insignia on the right shoulder of their utility uniform, as a continued reminder that the Army is engaged in a war at home and abroad. You will also find details on the old, gray physical fitness uniform and clarification of the Army's tattoo policy...
U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Command Details on Soldier Services available from the Army Reserve Personnel Command (AR-PERSCOM) are available online at this site. Find information and news on everything from Promotions to Mobilization.
Dental readiness newsletters, "Dental Bytes®", have been developed by a Soldier for you, the ARNG counter-terrorism Minuteman. Information you need to improve and maintain your individual dental posture is presented in each issue.
HOOAH 4 You
