American Academy of Pediatrics launched HealthyChildren.org, a new website offering trustworthy, up-to-the-minute pediatric health advice and guidance for parents and caregivers, along with interactive tools and personalized content.

With more consumers and small businesses looking for affordable health insurance, there has been a corresponding increase in tempting offers for low cost health care benefits. Being aware of the scams and how to avoid them will help you make better choices when looking for health insurance.

Discount health care plans
Often appearing on the Internet and in unsolicited mailings and faxes, these discount plans promise a wide range of health benefits for as little as $20 per month for the whole family, regardless of age or health problems. The problem is, consumers may believe these plans offer the same type of coverage as a health insurance policy -- but they don't.

Many discount health plans provide some minimal money-saving benefits; but these plans are not insurance policies and do not provide the kind of protection you might expect. With the discount plans, you pay the medical bills yourself. They simply offer lower prices from a specific list of providers who have agreed to accept discounted medical fees; although, in some cases, the "participating" providers are not even aware of the discount plan.

Most of these discount benefit network plans use insurance terms (i.e. health coverage, guaranteed benefits, enrollment) in their advertisements to lure customers into a false sense of security. They also tend to exaggerate the savings potential and promise discounts that might not even exist. The plans also may include hidden administrative costs that reduce your actual savings. Some of these health plans are fraudulent and will just disappear with your money.

Because these types of discount plans are not government regulated, there are no built-in consumer protections...(read more).

Sherburne County Public Health Community H1N1 Vaccination Clinics  H1N1 Vaccination Clinics are now open to everyone 6 months and older. Community members with insurance are encouraged to check first with their primary care provider for vaccine availability, as many local clinics do have H1N1 vaccine available.  Vaccinations may also be available through local pharmacies.

Please call 763-241-2750 or 1-800-433-5237 to schedule an appointment for an H1N1 vaccination. Calls will be taken M-F, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Vaccination is by appointment only.  Wednesday, January 6, 2010 3:00-8:00 PM Becker  Becker High School 12000 Hancock Street, Becker, MN 55308 Use main parking lot south of building. Enter through main door left of flag pole.  Wednesday, January 20, 2010 3:00-8:00 PM Elk River - Sherburne County Government Ctr. 13880 Business Center Drive, Elk River, MN 55330 Use main parking lot south of building. Enter through Door B on the west side of building. Special Notes for Persons attending H1N1 Vaccination Clinics:  ·Persons scheduled to receive vaccination should wear short sleeves.  · Plan to arrive at your scheduled time; early arrivals will be asked to wait.  · Clinics are open to Sherburne County residents or persons within the district of a public or private school in Sherburne County.  · Nasal spray or injection vaccination may be available.  · A parent or legal guardian must be present to sign a consent form for children under 18 years of age and for those over 18 who have a legal guardian.  · Vaccine cannot be given to those with a known allergy to eggs.  · Persons who have been ill earlier with flu-like illness should still receive the H1N1 vaccination and be protected in case they had a different form of influenza.  · If you are ill or have a fever on the date you are scheduled to receive vaccination, please stay at home and call to reschedule your vaccination. · There is no cost for vaccination at any of the above clinics.

(Copied from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu.

What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold?

In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

For additional information please visit: MN Department of Health.

Vonna Henry, Public Health Director for Sherburne County, is our first guest:

United Way starts a community conversation about health care with this blog. The United States is in the midst of a debate on health care reform that will affect everyone. Generally health care discussions very quickly move to how to get everyone covered for illness care. Health promotion and prevention of illness are not included in the debates. Minnesota has included health promotion in health care reform through a program called State Health Improvement Program. The purpose of the Statewide Health Improvement Program is to reduce tobacco use and exposure and prevent obesity in Minnesota. Sherburne County Public Health is in the process of assessing what actions can prevent obesity in Sherburne County. We invite you to share your thoughts about health care reform in the blog. Let us hear from you.