Health Plan of San Joaquin | Focus Your Health | Summer 2021

Set some house rules One way to make sure screen time is well spent is to set a few rules kids can understand about when and where they can watch. For instance: ● No screens at meals ● No screens during homework time (unless it’s for school) ● No screens in bed You also have the final say on what they watch. Be sure grandparents and caregivers know and follow these rules too. Screens off, fun on There are lots of fun ways for kids to enjoy themselves without screens. When they’re bored, encourage them to draw, write stories or play. Turning off screens is also a chance to do things as a family. Show your kids you don’t need a screen to have a good time. Source: American Academy of Pediatrics Celebrating freedom: Juneteenth 2021 June 19 marks the annual observance of Juneteenth Independence Day, which commemorates the June 19, 1865, abolition of slavery and emancipation of en- slaved people in the United States. Following the end of the Civil War, the Juneteenth proclamation formally ended one shameful chapter of U.S. history. Today, Juneteenth is a celebration of African Ameri- can history and heritage. Barriers to health According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion (CDC), African American adults are less likely to see a doctor due to high costs, lack of access to care or other barriers. CDC reports that African Americans ages 18 to 49 are twice as likely to die from heart disease than white people, and African Ameri- cans ages 35 to 64 years are 50% more likely to have high blood pressure than white people. They are also more likely to suffer from conditions such as diabetes and strokes at an earlier age, as experiences of racism in health care often deter people of color from getting the preventive screen- ings needed to catch the warning signs of these issues. True health equity cannot exist while barriers to health and wellness still exist. HPSJ is committed to improving access to health care to create more racially just communi- ties. We are proud to partner with our community toward this goal. Focus Your Health 3