The Fidelis Care Blog

In observance of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Fidelis Care is sharing sun safety tips. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Over 95% of skin cancers can be successfully treated if they are found early. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Each year in New York State, more than 4,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma and nearly 500 New Yorkers die from it. Anyone can develop melanoma. It can appear anywhere on the body. It may be a new spot or a change in a mole or freckle. Melanoma can be caused by getting too much ultraviolet (UV) light. This can be from the sun or from sources such as indoor tanning. It is important to find and treat melanoma early, so it does not spread to other parts of the body.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is estimated that one in every four Americans have HPV. Most of them are in their late teens and 20s. Many people will never know they have HPV, because it usually causes no symptoms. But for some people, it can lead to serious health problems, including certain cancers and genital warts.

A primary care provider (PCP) helps you stay healthy. It’s important to build a strong and lasting relationship with your PCP. That way, your PCP can learn more about you and your health over time. Your PCP can see any changes in your health and help support your health and wellness.

Black Maternal Health Week takes place each year from April 11–17. The goal of the observance, which was founded seven years ago by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., is to bring visibility to Black maternal health initiatives and build awareness for the health issues that disproportionately impact Black women during pregnancy, childbirth, and in the months after giving birth.

In observance of National Minority Health Month this April, Fidelis Care is raising awareness about the health disparities facing minorities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), racial and ethnic minority groups throughout the United States experience higher rates of illness and death across a wide range of health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma, and heart disease.