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PCHP Blog – Earn Rewards for Taking Charge of Your Health

Parkland Community Health Plan’s Member Rewards program gives members the chance to earn reward points for completing health and wellness activities. Once you earn the points, you can use them to get gift cards and other items from a rewards catalog.…

Managing Your Blood Pressure When You Have Diabetes

High blood pressure can be a serious health problem for people with chronic conditions like diabetes. Two out of three adults with diabetes have high blood pressure. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. …

What Is Adult ADHD?

Adults with ADHD often have less hyperactivity than children. However, they still struggle with paying attention, feeling restless, and acting impulsively. This can create stress in their roles as a parent, employee, and community member. …

Free Holiday Meals and Other Food Resources for 2024

If your budget is tight this year, plan now to enjoy one of the free holiday meals offered in communities throughout north Texas. We’ve included just a few of these events! Others may be added before the holiday. Be sure to use Google and social media to search for more community meals near you. …

Back to School Jitters? Here's How to Help.

Whether they are preschoolers leaving home for the first time or preteens facing a change of teachers or schools, children of all ages may struggle with back-to-school “jitters.” Here’s how you can help to ease their way into a new school year. …

Make Dental Care Fun for Kids

From brushing to flossing, children can learn the basics in ways that are easy and fun. That means the habits are more likely to stick. …

Hungry for a Snack? Choose a “Superfood!”

What is a superfood? The term is not scientific or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration or the Department of Agriculture. However, many people use the word to describe foods that, ounce per ounce, have more nutrients than others. These nutrients can include antioxidants, fiber, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and more. …

How to Talk to Kids About Fentanyl

It’s always been important to teach children about illegal drugs and drug addiction. When children understand how drugs harm people of all ages, they are more likely to avoid peer pressure and deadly mistakes.…

Take Control of Your Asthma This Winter

Learning to recognize and prevent asthma triggers can help you breathe easier and keep your symptoms under control. …

Take Control of Diabetes This Holiday Season

At this busy time of year, it can be easy to forget about healthy habits, but it’s still important to take good care of yourself – especially if you have a chronic condition like diabetes. …

Need Help With Diabetes? Try Condition Management.

PCHP members have access to the Be in Control condition management program, which helps members manage chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes. …

Free Holiday Meals and Other Food Resources

Many North Texas communities offer free Thanksgiving meals—and other food—before, on, or after the holiday. Check out the list below to find resources near you.…

How to Do a Self-Exam for Breast Cancer

Self-exams for breast cancer are important because they can help you to find unusual bumps, dimples or painful areas early. These changes can be so minor that you don’t notice them.…

A Pediatrician Explains: The Importance of Staying Hydrated

One of the best ways to stay as cool and healthy as possible is to stay hydrated. Learn more about the importance of hydration from Dr. Mary Strength, a pediatrician in north Texas. …

What You Need to Know About Medical Forms

Whether you are seeing a medical provider for a pregnancy checkup, taking your children for their annual exams, or helping a senior family member get flu shots or other care, your visit will run more smoothly if you plan ahead for the paperwork. …

How to Read Medicine Labels

Sometimes you will need a prescription from a doctor. You can also buy many medicines at your local store or pharmacy. These are called “over-the counter” drugs or medicines. To make sure you buy the right medicine, you will need to read the label. …

Don’t Sleep with Your Baby. Here’s Why.

Learn more with these safe sleeping tips. Then, be sure to share this important information with everyone who helps to take care of your baby.…

Mindfulness for Lower Stress and Better Health

Mindfulness is free of charge and you can practice wherever you are. Best of all, the exercises can lead to lower stress and better health. …

Five Easy & Fun Activities That Don’t Feel Like Exercise

When families exercise together, they can develop healthy habits that last a lifetime. But exercise doesn’t have to be boring or feel like a chore! Here are a few ways to get in shape – and have fun doing it.…

How to Stay Healthy After Giving Birth

After your baby is born, the first days and weeks back home can be exhausting. It’s important to take extra-good care of yourself as you recover from childbirth. …

Three Easier New Year’s Resolutions for 2023

When you make a New Year’s resolution, go easy on yourself. Set a goal that is small enough to stick to every day. Over time, small steps add up to big results. …

Reward Yourself—It’s Good for Your Health

It’s important to celebrate your successes often. Try out a few of the rewards mentioned. Keep yourself on track during the holidays—and into the new year. …

Stay Safe and Healthy After a Hospital Stay

Your hospital stay is over—but your recovery could continue for weeks or months. No matter what sent you there, follow your doctor’s instructions and the tips below. …

Free and Discounted Holiday Food Resources

Is your holiday food budget tight this year? Many communities offer free Thanksgiving meals before, on, or after the holiday. Check out these resources to find options close to you and your family. …

Family Fitness in Five Minutes a Day

How much activity is best? According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, children and teens should aim for an hour of exercise every day.…

Keep Your Child’s Brain Active During Summer Fun

Are you looking for no-cost or low-cost educational activities in Dallas and nearby counties? You’re in luck. Families in North Texas have many resources for in-person and online learning.…

A Pediatrician Discusses Diet and Nutrition for Children

If children don’t get the proper nutrients in their food, they can have problems with attention, sleep—and many other health issues. These problems can last until they are teens and adults.…

A Pediatrician Explains How to Protect Your Child from Environmental Hazards

What about environmental hazards? “Environment” means both indoors and outdoors. “Hazards” are substances in the air, in water or in everyday household items that can harm your child’s health. Watch as North Texas Pediatrician Dr. Mary Strength explains different types of environmental hazards and how children can be at higher risk from them. …

Easy Ways to Eat More Greens

In March, we celebrate both National Nutrition Month® and St. Patrick’s Day. That makes it the perfect month to focus on green foods.…

American Heart Month Series: What Is Heart Disease?

February—American Heart Month—is an excellent time to learn about heart health for yourself and your family. This blog explains different types of heart disease. Watch for additional blogs covering risk factors and heart health tips for families.…

How to Choose a Primary Care Provider

Regular doctor visits are important for both kids and adults – and having a primary care provider (PCP) is a great way to stay focused on your health. What is a Primary Care Provider?A PCP provides…

Eat Less Sugar with These Easy Tips

There are many ways to improve your eating habits. Even small changes can make a big difference. If you want to focus on changing just one behavior, try this: Eat less added sugar.…

How To Quit Smoking

It can be very hard to quit smoking — but it’s one of the most important things you can do to help your baby to be healthy, before and after they’re born.…

Five Tiny Diet Habits that Equal Big Health Benefits

Summer’s almost here. It’s the perfect time to make some small changes in your daily routine to build better health habits. Small changes in diet and exercise are easy to start. Here are a few to consider.…

10 Easy Home Exercises Parents Can Do With Kids

Whether you have just 10 minutes or an hour or more, it all adds up. Every little bit of movement helps to build a healthier body, whether you’re a child or an adult.…

Easy Ways to Drink More Water

Sometimes there is nothing better on a hot day than a tall, cool glass of water. At Parkland Community Health Plan, we know it can be hard to drink enough water during busy days—and weeks. So how can you sneak in some more sips?…

Easy ways to exercise as a family

Exercise is important every season of the year. When we walk, dance, stretch, swim or exercise in other ways, we feel better in our minds as well as our bodies. This is true no matter how old you are.…

Four Stress Management Tips

The cause of stress is different for everyone. For one person, it could be from trying to pay rent. For another, it could be a result of a health issue. No matter the reason, keeping the negative effects of stress in check is important for your overall health. …