DON’T GET BAKED

It’s May and that means the sizzling summer heat has arrived. No doubt, Lake County residents will seek a brief reprieve from the sun by swimming in their pools, spending a day on the boat, or even visiting a beach. Just take precautions to avoid being sunburned, which increases the risk of skin cancer. Here are some tips provided by the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

WOMEN: DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOU

This month is Mother’s Day, a time we thank mothers across the country for their selfless acts of love and sacrifice. Healthy Living would like to remind moms that while they’re the center of attention this month, their health should be a priority throughout the year. If you don’t believe us, consider these sobering statistics:

13.7% of women ages 18 and older are in fair or poor health.

15.4% of women under age 65 are without health insurance coverage.

• Purchase a sunscreen with UV-A and UV-B protection.

• Purchase sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. SPF reflects the sun’s rays, keeping them from burning your skin.

• Be sure to apply an adequate amount of sunscreen all over your body without forgetting ears, feet, and the back of the neck.

• Sunscreen quickly wears off, so be sure to reapply it every two hours.

• Do not rely on sunscreen alone. Also consider wearing lip balm with a SPF of 30 or higher, a hat with a wide brim, and wrap-around sun glasses with UV protection.

18.3% of women ages 18 and older smoke cigarettes.

32.8% of women ages 20 and older have high blood pressure.

35.9% of women ages 20 and older are considered obese.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention