Oakland County Wins Fiscal Transparency Awards

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 22, 2022

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@michigan.gov 

Michigan residents encouraged to make healthy choices about food during National Nutrition Month

LANSING, Mich. – Michiganders can spice up Nutrition Month by trying healthy seasonings from around the world this month.

As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaims March to be Nutrition Month in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and its Diabetes and Kidney Unit is joining with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to remind Michiganders about making healthy dining choices.

This year’s theme for National Nutrition Month, “Celebrate a World of Flavors,” is a reminder that the U.S. and Michigan have diverse populations with unique backgrounds and tastes.

“Trying new spices is a great way to celebrate other cultures,” said Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director of MDHHS’s Public Health Administration. “It can also help us reduce our salt intake by replacing it with other seasonings and spices. MDHHS is always working to improve access to healthy food and provide Michigan residents education about healthy nutrition to make the healthy choice the easy choice. I encourage Michiganders to make it a goal to try one new seasoning or spice this month.”

Curry, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper are among alternatives to salt.

Here are some other tips to consider for eating healthy on a budget:

• Fruits and vegetables don’t have to be fresh to be healthy. Consider buying store brand frozen or canned, which can be less expensive and last longer.
• Meat is usually the most expensive part of a meal. Look through the meat case and compare the price of different meats to find the best value. Roasting a whole chicken in the oven provides a healthy meal at a lower cost similar to the more expensive rotisserie chickens that are already cooked.
• Consider going meatless and getting protein from other sources like eggs, canned fish, beans, lentils or cottage cheese.
• Limit or eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages and instead choose water, sugar-free drinks, or diet soda. Water is the best choice and often the least expensive.
• Make small changes in what you eat to improve nutrition. Small changes add up over time.

Eating healthy does not mean giving up foods important to your culture. Registered dietitians help clients set nutrition goals to improve health, while keep in mind dietary preferences. They can provide recipe ideas, cooking tips and other healthful advice for everyday challenges such as cooking dinner or meal preparation or ways to incorporate favorite foods into a meal plan.

Dietitians are often a part of the Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support team. For those diagnosed with diabetes, assistance from dietitians on this team is a covered benefit from Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurance. To find a service near you visit Michigan DSMES locations.

For more information about diabetes visit MI.gov/diabetes. For more information about healthy eating and lifestyle, visit Eatright.org. If you need help making ends meet, learn about MDHHS’s assistance programs or apply at www.michigan.gov/MIBridges.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2022

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

Benefits of having a family physician recognized during Family Medicine Week

LANSING, Mich. — Family medicine is a specialty practiced by physicians with extensive training to provide care for people of all ages, from birth through end of life, and are experts in treating a wide range of symptoms affecting the body from head to toe. In recognition of the importance of family medicine, March 20-26, is recognized as Family Medicine Week by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians and the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians.

Family Medicine Week highlights family physicians’ dedication to providing comprehensive, coordinated primary care to residents across the state to protect and improve health and wellness, and reduce costs to the health care system. Research shows that adults and children who choose a family physician as their regular source of care have lower annual health care costs, visit the doctor less, are prescribed fewer medications and report less difficulty accessing care.

“Having a primary care provider like a family medicine physician is crucial to maintaining health,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian MDHHS chief medical executive. “Visiting your primary care physician for regular check-ups can help you stay healthy and prevent illness, and they are a trusted source of accurate information about and providers of immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine.”

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, eight out of 10 people are likely to rely on the advice of their personal primary care physician when deciding to get immunized. This makes family physicians key partners in Michigan families getting vaccinated against the seasonal flu, COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases that cause illness and death.

Statewide, the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians and Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians collectively represent more than 5,000 family physicians, family medicine resident physicians and medical students exploring a career in family medicine. Together they are hosting Michigan Family Medicine Advocacy Day in Lansing Wednesday, March 23, to discuss legislative and policy issues impacting access to care, the patient-physician relationship and the practice of family medicine in our state.

To learn more about Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, visit Mafp.com.

To learn more about Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians, visit Maofp.org.