Don’t Be Fooled: 6 “Health Foods” That Are Really Junk Foods in Disguise

A woman examines a box in a supermarket.
We are lucky to live during a time when there’s an abundance of information available about the food we eat. The tricky thing is, sometimes there’s almost too much information available, so it can be hard to decide what’s healthy and what isn’t. You’ll see dozens of products in the grocery store aisles that lead you to believe they’re healthy....
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Talking to Kids About COVID-19

A little girl draws in a coloring book
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a life-changing experience for everyone. And while we are all learning as we go, children and young adults need extra help understanding and adapting to the changes happening around them. Understandably, each child responds to change differently. Their age, personality, and life experiences affect this response. The one thing all children have in common,...
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Celebrate Caring: An Independence Nurse’s Story

Independence Blue Cross (Independence) recognizes the important role nurses play in health care and acknowledges their caring, compassion, and excellence. As part of the Celebrate Caring campaign, we’re highlighting our region’s most outstanding nurses — including those at Independence. We employ nearly 300 nurses in a variety of roles that serve our members....
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Make Your Voice Heard: Why the 2020 Census is Important for Health Care

A couple fills out their Census form
2020 is an important year for Americans. In addition to voting in a presidential election, they will also participate in the 2020 Census, a count of every person living in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. Despite the changes in day-to-day life due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s critical to complete the census....
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Broad Street Beats 2020: Dancing Through the Decades

A young runner adjusts the phone strapped to her arm
Last year, we released our first Blue Cross Broad Street Run Beats playlist compiled by the running community. We loved your responses so much, we decided to ask you again. What songs push you forward and keep you going?  The energizing, feel-good playlist we put together based on your responses will get your feet moving and your heart pumping!...
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Telemedicine Means 24/7 Access to a Doctor

A mother feels her son's forehead while consulting with a doctor via telemedicine
Your condition may not be an emergency, but you need to talk to a doctor. In the past, if you couldn’t see your doctor, your options may have been limited to an urgent care center or the emergency room. Either one costs you more in time and money. Plus, both options may cause you to miss work,...
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Celebrate Caring: An Independence Nurse’s story

Linda Bolmer, holding a t-shirt and smiling
Independence Blue Cross (Independence) recognizes the important role nurses play in health care and acknowledges their caring, compassion, and excellence. As part of the Celebrate Caring campaign, we’re highlighting our region’s most outstanding nurses — including those at Independence. We employ nearly 300 nurses in a variety of roles that serve our members....
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Handwashing: The Secret to Good Health

An adult and kid wash their hands.
The easiest way to protect yourself against illness? Handwashing. It seems too simple to be true, but a mere 20-30 seconds of proper handwashing, following the CDC’s handwashing guidelines, is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs and disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 80 percent of infectious diseases are transmitted by dirty hands....
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Celebrate Caring: An Independence Nurse’s Story

Photo of Trudi Mitana
Independence Blue Cross recognizes the important role nurses play in health care and acknowledges their caring, compassion, and excellence. As part of the Celebrate Caring campaign, we’re highlighting our region’s most outstanding nurses — including those at Independence. We employ nearly 300 nurses in a variety of roles that serve our members. Here is one of their stories....
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Why It’s So Important to Take Care of Your Kidneys

A woman holds models of kidneys.
It took years for me, as a primary care doctor, to fully appreciate the many challenges patients face with chronic kidney disease. I still remember one of the first patients I ever admitted to the hospital when I was an intern. She was a dialysis patient who was in the hospital for cancer treatment. Seeing her condition made me realize how much I had to learn about chronic kidney disease....
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