The Fidelis Care Blog

Each August, we celebrate National Health Center Week to recognize the people and places that help keep our communities healthy. Health centers are more than just clinics, they are trusted neighbors that provide comprehensive care to millions of families, regardless of their income or background.

Each year, National Breastfeeding Month in August offers a chance to celebrate the strength, resilience, and nurturing power of mothers, and to recognize the community efforts that make breastfeeding success possible. At Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. (OCO), we know that breastfeeding is about more than milk, it’s about connection, healing, and the foundation of lifelong health.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. It’s a time to highlight the importance of vaccines for people of all ages. Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from serious diseases. Staying up to date with recommended immunizations helps prevent the spread of illness and keeps everyone healthier. Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about which vaccines are right for you and your family.

Each July, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month calls on us to recognize the disproportionate impact of mental illness on racial and ethnic minority communities—and to recommit to breaking down the systemic barriers that stand in the way of healing.

As we spend time outside this summer, Fidelis Care is sharing ways to help enjoy pest-free outdoor living. 1. Use insect repellent. Ticks and mosquitoes carry diseases and can cause serious health risks. Apply insect repellent to your skin and clothing to lower your risk. 2. Remove or avoid standing water. Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. Lower your chances of being bitten by removing standing water (birdbaths, ponds, and planters) from your backyard.

  When people think about eating disorders, they often imagine only one kind of person—usually a very thin teenage girl. But that picture is not true. Eating disorders can affect anyone. They affect kids, adults, older people, men, women, and people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. What is an eating disorder? An eating disorder is an illness that affects how someone eats, thinks about food, and feels about their body. Eating disorders are not a choice; they are a serious health problem that requires care and support. Eating disorders do not care about: Age Gender Body size Race or culture Who someone loves

Lunar New Year arrives with the vibrant energy of the Year of the Horse. Beginning on February 17, 2026, it will be celebrated across Asian communities around the world. This festival marks a meaningful moment of renewal as people travel great distances to reunite with their families and honor long-standing traditions. They share hopes that the year ahead will be fulfilling and prosperous.

The Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) has successfully completed its one-year pediatric oral health pilot program, funded by a Fidelis Care rural health innovation grant focused on preventive care. The initiative, launched to address persistent barriers to pediatric dental care in the North Country, resulted in substantial increases in preventive oral health services and education.

In accordance with Chapter 645 of the Laws of 2005, the New York State (NYS) Medicaid program does not cover prescription or physician-administered drugs used for the treatment of sexual dysfunction (SD) or erectile dysfunction (ED).

If you or someone you love has chest pain, going to the emergency room can feel scary. Knowing what will happen can help you feel safer. When you arrive, the doctors and nurses will work fast to check your heart. 1. Quick Check When You Arrive A nurse will ask how you feel and how bad the pain is. If the pain sounds serious, you will be seen right away. They might put a monitor on you to check your heart rate and oxygen. 2. Heart Test (EKG) You will likely get a heart test within 10 minutes. The test is called an electrocardiogram