The Fidelis Care Blog

The Fidelis Care ‘Veggies to Go’ program distributed 1,895 bags of healthy food to individuals and families in need during its 2024 season. That adds up to a total nearly 80,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables given away since the program began in 2022. Veggies to Go addresses nutrition and food insecurity in urban and rural communities across New York State. “Nutrition is healthcare,” said Fidelis Care Sales and Marketing Director Shannon Lombardo. “We know that one bag of fresh fruits and vegetables is not going to solve a family’s food insecurity. But the Fidelis Care Veggies to Go program is a great way to connect people with resources and agencies that can help address their longer term needs.”

Have you felt unusually sad or depressed recently? If so, you may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that usually starts in the late fall or early winter. Factors like shorter days, less sunlight, and changes in biological or bodily rhythms may lead to SAD. Millions of Americans are estimated to have SAD. Women are four times more likely than men to be diagnosed with SAD.

In observance of National Rural Health Day November 21, Fidelis Care has awarded $128,000 in rural health grants to nine community-based organizations. The grants aim to assist organizations that support health and wellness in rural communities across New York, with an emphasis on serving high-need, low-income individuals and their families.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, a condition that can develop over time when the kidneys are damaged and can’t filter waste out of your blood. Over time, this damage can get worse. It can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). In severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure, which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Diabetic kidney disease does not happen overnight. It progresses through several stages, starting with very mild damage and then more serious issues if not managed correctly.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, a time to highlight preterm birth and the health issues it poses for infants and mothers. What defines prematurity? A term pregnancy usually lasts for 40 weeks. A premature baby is an infant that is born before 37 weeks gestation. A 2024 March of Dimes report shows that one in 10 babies are born premature every year. Often, people do not understand that premature babies are not just smaller in size, they can have many issues that range from immature lungs to developmental delays.