Summer 2025

Welcome to the newest edition of Whole You, a newsletter from Sunshine Health. In this issue, you’ll find tips for keeping kids healthy as they go back to school, ideas for starting your day with a healthy breakfast and tips for where to go when you need healthcare.

Did you miss our last newsletter? Take a look.

As a Sunshine Health member, you get free rides to and from your medical appointments, medical facilities, and pharmacies. Plus, there is no limit to the number of medical trips you can take. You also get three nonmedical trips per year. Get a ride to the grocery store or social events.

To learn more, visit Transportation or call Alivi reservations at 1-844-352-0134 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday to schedule a trip.

As kids head back to school, it’s the perfect time to teach them how to stay healthy. Keeping kids healthy in school can be an important step to limit sick days. Here are some simple, effective ways to help protect your child, and others, from back-to-school germs:

Scrub Away. Washing hands is one of the best ways to keep germs from spreading and to keep kids healthy. Teach your child to wash with soap and water every time. They should scrub their entire hand, front and back, for at least 20 seconds. Always wash hands:

• Before and after eating
• After using the restroom
• After playing outside
• After sneezing or coughing
• After playing with an object that many have touched, like a toy or ball

Children can be forgetful. It is a good idea to keep hand sanitizer in their backpack or desk to help keep hands clean.

Educate Early. Before your kids head to school, talk with them about where germs live and how they spread. Germs like to hide in school water fountains, lunch tables and trays, keyboards and door handles. Teach your kids about prevention and how to avoid germs as much as they can.

Build Up Immune System. There are many ways to boost your child’s immune system. Healthy eating is one of them. Adding more fruits and veggies is a great way to do this. Exercise also helps. Go for a bike ride, take a family walk or play a favorite activity. And do not forget that getting plenty of rest is key. Lack of sleep raises the chance of catching germs in schools.

Cover Up. A tissue is the best choice when sneezing or coughing. Teach your child to use the sleeve of their inner elbow if they do not have a tissue. It is important to never use hands. This helps to limit the spread of germs.

Did you know you can earn My Health Pays® rewards from Sunshine Health when you complete certain healthy actions? Activities such as completing health screenings, yearly wellness checks and more can earn you dollar rewards.

You can use your rewards to make purchases or pay for a variety of services:

• Everyday items at Walmart
• Utilities
• Telecommunication
• Transportation
• Childcare
• Education
• Rent

Visit Rewards today to learn more about My Health Pays®!

Starting your day with protein can give you more energy and a better metabolism. Protein also helps you build muscle and keeps you feeling full. Here are five easy, healthy and tasty ideas:

• Make Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a great choice to keep you feeling full until lunch. Use skim milk instead of water to boost protein. Top with fresh fruit and nuts to add crunch and extra nutrition.
• Go Greek. Plain Greek yogurt helps your muscle, hair and skin health. Dress it up by making your own chia peanut butter yogurt bowl. Start with yogurt as your base and add two tablespoons of natural peanut butter. Next, add chia seeds. Top it off with chopped blueberries and bananas.
• Try Quinoa. The options are endless with this healthy grain. People think of quinoa as a lunch or dinner food. Try it in your morning meal and you won’t be let down. It is a great source of iron, magnesium, vitamin E and fiber. It can lower your risk of diabetes and improve bone health. Just like oatmeal, quinoa is a great base for a high protein meal.

• Pick Peanut Butter. A single serving is packed with protein. This makes it a better choice on whole grain toast than butter or jelly. Be sure to measure out two tablespoons. Also check the label to check for added sugar. These steps help you keep calories in check.
• Cook a Quesadilla. Try peanut butter, strawberry and banana quesadillas for another yummy option. Spread one tablespoon of natural peanut butter on two whole wheat tortillas. Top one tortilla with slices of banana, strawberry and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Put the other tortilla on top and press gently to help stick together. Cook each side in a skillet on medium heat for three minutes or until golden brown.

Need healthy food to add to your cart? Come to our monthly Food Pantry!

Our Sunshine Health Community Connection Centers are here to help you stock your pantry with shelf-stable foods – at no cost to you! Join us on the third Thursday of every month, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for our monthly food pantry.

All are welcome* on a first-come, first-served basis, no appointment needed. Find a Sunshine Health Community Connections Center near you.

*You do not need to be a Sunshine Health member to receive food.

It’s important to have a good relationship with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) and to visit your doctor at least once a year, even if you are feeling well. Your PCP can also help if you have a cold, earache, sore throat or rash and can help with sprains, minor cuts or burns. Your PCP is also a good choice if you have stress or anxiety.

Can’t make it to see your doctor in person? Sunshine Health covers telehealth visits! Call your PCP to find out if telehealth is an option. If you can’t get an appointment, try one of our telehealth providers.

To find a PCP or pharmacy near you, visit our Find-A-Provider tool. If you’re not sure where to go for the care you need, our 24/7 nurse advice line can help you at 1-866-796-0530 (TTY 1-800-955-8770). But what if you have quick questions about medicines or your health? Many of us might not think of our local pharmacist. We should. Your pharmacist is there to provide medication advice at no cost to you.

Ask your local pharmacist about:

• Your prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines
• Side effects from medicines and how to handle them
• Medication refills
• How your medicine works
• Which medicines are safe to use with each other
• How to stay on track using your medicines
• Over-the-counter medicines when you have a cold or the flu, a headache or a sore throat
• Questions about vaccinations
• How to use blood pressure monitors, inhalers or glucose monitors

Whether it's your child’s first day of kindergarten, they are transitioning to middle or high school, or just dealing the “end-of-summer” blues, the return to school can be a stressful time. It's normal for children to feel anxious about these changes. Here’s how you can help ease their worries:

• Communicate: Encourage your child to express their feelings about going back to school. Make them feel understood by reassuring them that it's perfectly normal to feel anxious about these changes.
• Create Routines: A consistent routine fosters a sense of security in children. Establishing a regular sleep schedule, eating healthy meals and setting aside time for homework and relaxation can help children adjust to the new school year schedule.
• Attend School Orientation: Meeting teachers, locating classrooms and becoming familiar with the school layout can help your child feel confident on the first day of school. If there isn’t a scheduled orientation, or you’re unable to attend, try to visit the school beforehand to help your child get familiar with the school. It can also be helpful to practice morning routines.
• Encourage In-person Social Interactions: Help your child spend time with classmates. Seeing friends and meeting new ones can make going back to school easier and more fun.

Did you know that your child can get help at school through Sunshine Health? Our School Liaisons can help you navigate the school system. Visit School Resources to learn more.

At Sunshine Health, we’re committed to helping you achieve success. Whether you're starting your career, changing paths, or reentering the workforce, our Sunshine Health Works program is here to support you every step of the way.

Our program offers:

• Job skills development
• Healthcare certifications
• Connections to local career opportunities

Get Started with the Sunshine Health Works Launchpad

The Launchpad is an easy-to-use online tool for members aged 16 and up. It’s designed to help you explore career paths, build skills and prepare for job opportunities. With the Launchpad, you can access:

• Self-assessments
• Job search tools
• Career planning resources
• Skills development modules
• Resume assistance

Access the Sunshine Health Works Launchpad, powered by My Work Ready, through your Secure Member Account and take the first step toward a brighter future—starting today.