It's easier than ever for underserved residents in Kent County to get their hands on affordable food. Thanks to the UMCH Fresh Market, they don't have to skimp on quality, either. 

United Methodist Community House Making Healthy Groceries More Affordable for Grand Rapids and Kent County Residents

Live amid a lot of clutter? A cluttered home or office space can lead to feelings of stress, shame and isolation. Here's how you can declutter this spring. 

The Mental Health Benefits of Decluttering

Jackson, Michigan's Renee Brown is making it her mission to spread awareness about sleep apnea after losing her brother Richie to the disorder in 2021. 

‘Go Get Tested:’ Michigan Pageant Winner Uses Platform to Spread Sleep Apnea Awareness

Recognizing the signs of an alcohol use disorder can lead to a change in habits. Getting help can be a lifesaving endeavor for those who struggle with an AUD.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder?

Fragile X Syndrome is uncurable, but there are treatment services out there that can help people learn important skills. Knowing FXS' symptoms and behavioral signs is crucial. 

What is Fragile X Syndrome? 

Did you know that energy drinks can adversely affect your heart, teeth and skin, as well as your sleep? Read up on the risks and learn more about natural energy sources.

Do Energy Drinks Make You Age Faster?  

If your snoring is accompanied by certain symptoms, it might help to learn the difference between snoring and sleep apnea and whether you need diagnostic testing. 

The Difference Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea 

Kayla Campbell’s arduous bout with cancer – which has included 60 chemotherapy sessions – began in 2019. More than four years later, she's as upbeat and optimistic as ever. 

Union, Michigan Woman Details Her Stage IV Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis at Age 28

Children diagnosed with an intellectual disability learn and develop at a slower rate than most children. Learn about causes, symptoms and how to get help.

What is an Intellectual Disability?

Shawn Walkiewicz's father didn't suffer from memory loss. He had corticobasal syndrome, a specific subtype of frontotemporal dementia that leads to an inability to control body movements.

Knowing the Difference Between Alzheimer's and Frontotemporal Dementia 

Screening for colon cancer saves lives. There are multiple ways to screen for colon cancer, with a colonoscopy considered to be the gold standard. Here's why:

When and Why You Should Get a Colonoscopy 

Carrie Hamilton's alcohol and tobacco-free lifestyle didn't stop two heart attacks from threatening her life. She's still here, though, and she's found plenty of perspective. 

Kalamazoo Woman Perseveres Through Two Heart Attacks Caused by Uncommon Heart Condition

Seniors in the Port Huron area have been so thrilled at their increased access to YMCA fitness classes that impromptu dance sessions are breaking out at the end of Enhance Fitness classes. 

Blue Water Area YMCA Promoting Physical Fitness, Decreasing Social Isolation Among Older Adults in Michigan’s Thumb

Preexisting heart conditions can impact a woman's pregnancy. New heart conditions can also arise during a woman's pregnancy. Knowing the risks is important.

Maternal Health: Heart Conditions During Pregnancy 

Don’t underestimate the physiological benefits linked to kindness and generosity. Incorporating more kindness into your life can benefit the mind, body, and brain. 

The Science Behind Kindness: How it Helps You

More frequent blood pressure monitoring means more opportunities to detect abnormally high blood pressure and do what you need to do to treat it.

How to Check Your Blood Pressure at Home 

Do you know about all the preventive care appointments insured patients are eligible for? This list of federally mandated preventive services does not cost a copayment or coinsurance. 

No-Cost Appointments Included in Your Health Plan

Did you know vaping can be just as damaging to the heart as regular cigarettes? Heart rate, blood pressure and cardiovascular function during exercise are all affected.

Vaping and Heart Health: How E-Cigarettes Affect Heart Rate, Blood Pressure 

Had it not been for the heroic acts of bystanders in St. Petersburg, Florida, Grand Rapids resident Amy Gerard may not be around to tell her amazing tale. 

‘It Was Not My Time to Go:’ Good Samaritans Resuscitate Grand Rapids Woman Suffering from Cardiac Arrest in Airport

Recharging after work starts with a good night's sleep the night prior. Then, you'll want to follow these tips to ensure proper nourishment throughout the day. 

Tired After Work? Stay Energized Throughout the Day with These Tips

The “wintertime blues,” clinically known as seasonal mood disorder, can leave us anxious, without energy and generally sad. But there are treatment methods. 

How Winter Affects Mental Health  

Did you know that sunlight and cold weather can impact hormones? It can also cause the thyroid to act up. But there are ways to counteract hormone imbalance. 

How Winter Hormonal Changes Affect Us

The BCBSM Foundation teamed with two organizations that invest their time and effort into helping uninsured and vulnerable Michiganders get back on their feet.

A photo is captured from a Youth Justice Fund event that promoted justice-involved people to fill out surveys about health care and encourage them to live healthy physical lives by doing various cardio activities and eat healthy as well as connecting them to health providers and Occupational Therapy sessions.

Southeast Michigan Organizations Providing Medication-Assisted Treatment, Reentry Services to At-Risk Individuals

Donna Allgaier-Lamberti Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis led to many physical and mental struggles. Dietary changes and a stellar support system tangibly changed her life.

Donna Allgaier-Lamberti of Holland poses for a photograph with her granddaughter.

Holland Woman with Hashimoto’s Disease Discusses Battle with ‘Invisible Condition’

Contributing enough money to your health savings account to cover expected out-of-pocket medical expenses for the year is one of many ways to maximize your HSA. 

Get the Most Out of Your HSA This Year with These Tips

You’re not alone if you’ve ever abandoned a New Year’s resolution a month or two into the year. Whether your commitment was to exercising, dieting, ditching a bad habit or picking up a new hobby, you surely went into the challenge with good intentions. Staying consistent can be difficult, though....

How to Avoid New Year’s Resolution Fatigue  

There's a name for that anxiety and dread you start to feel on Sunday afternoons. There's actually some science behind that "Sunday scary" feeling.

The Science Behind Sunday Scaries 

Not every child with a congenital heart defect (CHD) requires treatment. But more severe CHDs may require a surgical procedure to repair the defect.

A newborn baby has his heart listened to by a doctor with a stethoscope in a bright, clean hospital room.

What to Know about Congenital Heart Defects in Infants

Think of NEAT as the physically active movements throughout our day that don't involve vigorous exercise. NEAT can be a sneaky way to stay in shape. 

An older woman rides her bicycle to work.

The Neat Way to Lose Weight: What is Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis?

Annual physicals are great opportunities to ask doctors about screenings you need, as well as topics like fall prevention and medication management.

10 Questions Seniors Should Ask Their Doctors

Most everyone knows the benefits of exercise. But if your body isn’t used to consistently working out, you should have a conversation with your doctor before you ever break a sweat. 

Asian active senior male exercising and workout with dumbbell in gym room during weekend activity

Starting a New Workout Routine? 4 Things to Ask Your Doctor 

Sinusitis and allergies can be problematic at night. Our bedrooms have high concentrations of dust mites and nasal congestion can worsen when we lie down.  But alleviating these issues is possible. 

Senior woman having headache and sinusitis, sitting in her living room

Sleeping Better with Allergies and Sinusitis 

Employers may want to brainstorm creative ways to engage and educate their employees on the benefits of health savings accounts. This guide should steer you in the right direction. 

A woman and a man look at a laptop screen in a warehouse.

4 Strategies to Boost Employee HSA Engagement  

Jake Newby

Blues Perspectives

MI Blues Perspectives is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

Jake Newby

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