May

This Month In Health is updated with information on monthly awareness topics in health. Read on to explore this month’s topics.

Women’s Health Week

Women’s health week is the perfect time to take a moment to practice self-care. This includes learning about preventive care and focusing on what healthy habits look like for you. Let’s explore the different areas of health you can focus on this week.

Preventive Care & Routine Screening

Keeping up with your well-woman exams, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and routine checkups help you stay healthy.

For more screening tips, visit the OASH-Office on Women’s Health.

Bone Health and Osteoporosis Screening

Strong bones help you stay active as you get older. Get a bone density test when you turn 65 or older. If you are younger than 65, have gone through menopause, and have risk factors—like low body weight, a past broken bone, family history, smoking, or heavy alcohol use—ask your provider if you need a screening.

Osteoporosis make bones weak and easier to break. Finding weak bones early and getting treatment help prevent fractures and keep you healthy.

Heart Health & Chronic Disease Prevention

Heart disease is a major health concern for women. You can lower your risk by getting regular blood pressure checks, eating healthy foods, staying active, and avoiding tobacco.

Explore prevention tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Maternal & Reproductive Health

Planning a family, expecting a baby, or looking at family planning options? TRICARE gives women access to maternity and reproductive health care. These services include prenatal care, postpartum care, and contraception.

To learn more about TRICARE’s reproductive health coverage, visit the TRICARE reproductive health page.

Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening

Women 24 or younger who are sexually active need testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year. Those 25 or older and have new or more than one partner need testing regularly. Everyone aged 15 to 65 need testing for HIV at least once.

Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

Caring for your mind is an important way to care for your overall well-being. TRICARE covers mental health services including counseling and therapy.

Dive into the details of what Good Mental Health looks like.

Asthma Awareness Month

May is Asthma Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to learn how to stay healthy and prepared. Asthma can affect service members, spouses, and kids. With a good plan and the right support, you can manage asthma and help your family stay active and feel their best.

Take Action Today

Even if your asthma is well controlled, take some time to review this checklist:

• Review your asthma action plan.
• Check that you are using your inhaler correctly.
• Check medication expiration dates.
• Schedule follow-up visits with your provider if it has been a while.
• Refill prescription if you have a Permanent Change of Station coming up.
• Make sure schools, caregivers, emergency contacts, and immediate leadership know of your emergency plan.

Taking care of things now can prevent a serious episode later.

Join the Disease Management Program

Asthma in adults and kids is part of the TRICARE West Region Disease Management Program. This program gives you help with your medicines, easy to-understand health information, and support from trained clinicians. You have a few ways to join the Asthma Disease Management Program. You can log in to the TRICARE West Region Beneficiary Portal and go to “Medical Management Programs.” If you’d rather talk to someone, you can call 888 TRIWEST (874 9378).

Read about asthma for adults and pediatrics under Your Wellness Matters in TRICARE.mil.