Currently, Coronavirus testing is not available through the onsite Health and Wellness Centers due to test kit supply shortages and the prioritization of available test kits for hospitals and urgent care centers. Click on the button below for more information and to find COVID-19 testing sites near you.
Pasco County Schools offers incentives for covered employees and retirees who complete their annual Vital Health Profile. This program is voluntary; however, participants must follow the steps outlined here in order to qualify for the 2020 incentive.
The HWI 3rd quarter for Pascofit is July 1 - September 30, 2020. Click here for more information.
Did you know UV rays from the sun can reach you on cloudy and hazy days, not just on bright sunny days? UV rays also relfect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow.
The hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Daylight Saving Time are the most hazardous for UV exposure ourtdoors. Click on the links below for some easy options for UV protection from the CDC.
More information from the CDC on skin cancer and sun safety tips for the whole family can be found here.
You can reduce your risk of skin damage and skin cancer by seeking shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter before you need relief from the sun. Your best bet to protect your skin is to use sunscreen or wear protective clothing when you’re outside - even when you’re in the shade.
When possible, long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts can provide protection from UV rays. Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors. Some clothing certified under international standards comes with information on its ultraviolet protection factor.
If wearing this type of clothing isn’t practical, at least try to wear a T-shirt or a beach cover-up. Keep in mind that a typical T-shirt has an SPF rating lower than 15, so use other types of protection as well.
For the most protection, wear a hat with a brim all the way around that shades your face, ears, and the back of your neck. A tightly woven fabric, such as canvas, works best to protect your skin from UV rays. Avoid straw hats with holes that let sunlight through. A darker hat may offer more UV protection.
If you wear a baseball cap, you should also protect your ears and the back of your neck by wearing clothing that covers those areas, using a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, or by staying in the shade.
Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts. They also protect the tender skin around your eyes from sun exposure.
Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection. Most sunglasses sold in the United States, regardless of cost, meet this standard. Wrap-around sunglasses work best because they block UV rays from sneaking in from the side.
Put on broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher before you go outside, even on slightly cloudy or cool days. Don’t forget to put a thick layer on all parts of exposed skin. Get help for hard-to-reach places like your back. And remember, sunscreen works best when combined with other options to prevent UV damage.
How sunscreen works. Most sunscreen products work by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering sunlight. They contain chemicals that interact with the skin to protect it from UV rays. All products do not have the same ingredients; if your skin reacts badly to one product, try another one or call a doctor.
SPF. Sunscreens are assigned a sun protection factor (SPF) number that rates their effectiveness in blocking UV rays. Higher numbers indicate more protection. You should use a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
Reapplication. Sunscreen wears off. Put it on again if you stay out in the sun for more than two hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
Expiration date. Check the sunscreen’s expiration date. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of no more than three years, but its shelf life is shorter if it has been exposed to high temperatures.
Cosmetics. Some makeup and lip balms contain some of the same sun-protective ingredients used in sunscreens. If they do not have SPF 15 or higher, be sure to use other forms of protection as well, such as sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.
Have you ever needed medical treatment after hours, but it wasn't an emergency and you weren't sure where to go? Click here to learn the about the differences between Emergency Rooms and Urgent Care Centers!
Gulfcoast North Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is now offering FREE virtual group quit classes! To see a list of upcoming virtual classes click here! (Please type your county in the search box)
For more information regarding scheduling and registration please email: info@gnahec.org
