Kaiser Permanente Highlights Prevention, Healthy Living for Men's Health Month

OAKLAND, Calif., June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Men's Health Month, Kaiser Permanente is increasing awareness of preventable health problems and promoting early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. This month, Kaiser Permanente's Care Stories blog focuses on the incredible stories of three men who have received life-changing care at critical times.

Launched in July 2011, Care Stories is a collection of first-person video narratives from Kaiser Permanente members talking about their own care in their own words, unscripted and uncompensated.

June's feature stories include:

• Jorge Hernandez, who got a literal wake-up call at age 27 when vibrations through his chest awakened him one morning. David Townsend, MD, at Kaiser Permanente Union City (Calif.) Medical Office looked at Jorge, shook his head and said, "You need to lose weight." Jorge, who is 5'10", then weighed 270 pounds, embarked on a dramatic lifestyle change – cutting back on sugar and carbohydrates, shopping for and cooking lean meats and vegetables, and walking and lifting weights. Jorge dropped 100 pounds in just one year after taking Dr. Townsend's words to heart.
  • Watch Jorge's care story at http://bit.ly/KCCDr6
• Tony Perricone was watching television when he "felt like someone swung a baseball bat and connected with [his] head." The next day Tony went to work where his "really bad headache" persisted, making it difficult to focus. The 53-year-old left his office and drove to nearby Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills (Calif.) Medical Center, where a CAT scan that revealed he had a brain hemorrhage. Thanks to the care he received from Kaiser Permanente, Tony has recovered from this life-threatening situation and is back to enjoying long rides on his motorcycle. 
  • Watch Tony's care story at http://bit.ly/L7eqXj
• Jesus Lopez, a department administrator and registered nurse at Kaiser Permanente Fontana (Calif.) Medical Center, stopped getting on the scale after his weight passed 220 pounds. But then a concerned physician friend at Kaiser Permanente intervened, insisting Jesus get blood work done to see whether his weight posed a health risk. Learning he was pre-diabetic spurred Jesus to take steps – he began walking before work, working out and downsized his portions at meal times. The test results provided the motivation Jesus needed. He lost 50 pounds and feels like a new man.
  • Watch Jesus' care story at http://bit.ly/KN5ZSg

Kaiser Permanente's focus on prevention includes encouraging members to take steps to catch early signs of disease, such as getting screened for high cholesterol, sexually transmitted diseases or colorectal cancer. Kaiser Permanente doctors also encourage members to apply small changes to one's lifestyle to stay healthy, such as walking and eating better. Tools and resources are also available at www.kp.org/weightofthenation to help members get on the right track to losing weight and staying healthy.

For more information about men's health, visit Kaiser Permanente's Men's Guide to Good Health. 

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to   improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 9 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery   and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to kp.org/newscenter.

For more information:
Farra Levin, [email protected], 510-414-9246

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente