Health Promotion Disease Prevention
Healthy Living Matters. Prevention Works. Let the VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System's Health Promotion Disease Prevention (HPDP) team assist you in creating, and sustaining a healthy lifestyle.
Martha Gault
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Coordinator & Veterans Health Education Coordinator
VA Finger Lakes health care
Phone: 585-809-5891
Email: martha.gault@va.gov
Physical Activity and Exercise
Being physically active is key in keeping your joints lubricated, your muscles strong, and your mind, and body healthy. Exercise is a key element in physical activity and comes in many different forms. Physical activity can include talking a walk, a hike, a jog, dancing, strength training, playing tag with the kids, hitting up the gym, and so much more.
Check out some of our tools and resources.
Get Fit for Life (11) Veteran Success Stories - YouTube
Video Gallery - MOVE! Weight Management Program (va.gov)
Living with Arthritis: Exercise - My HealtheVet - My HealtheVet (va.gov)
Success Stories - MOVE! Weight Management Program (va.gov)
Get in touch with our MOVE! Coordinator Tanisa Spencer at
Preventative Health
Healthy living means eating wisely, being physically active, and practicing healthy habits.
My HealtheVet Veterans Health Library (va.gov)
National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Home (va.gov)
HealtheLiving Assessment - My HealtheVet (va.gov)
eScreening - Home (sharepoint.com)
Foot Care Tips (Department of Veterans Affairs) (va.gov)
Colorectal Cancer Screening
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/resources/print.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/quiz/
Did you know the VA Offers COVID-19, and flu shots?
COVID-19 Vaccines | VA Finger Lakes Health Care | Veterans Affairs
My HealtheVet VA Immunizations Learn More - My HealtheVet - My HealtheVet
Tobacco Cessation:
Link to Whiteboard video on YouTube
Be Tobacco Free monthly topic materials
Healthy Living, My Health Choices Tool, (2020) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Home (va.gov)
Cancer Treatment & Tobacco Use Patient Information Sheet
Great American Smokeout (GASO)
Why Quit - Mental Health (va.gov)
VHA Tobacco Use Cessation Treatment Guidance: Medications for Tobacco Cessation
Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Smoking Cessation (Enduring)
Heart Health
ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) 2013 Risk Calculator from AHA/ACC https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/3398/ascvd-atherosclerotic-cardiovascular-disease-2013-risk-calculator-aha-acc
Holistic Self-Care and Complementary Therapies
https://mobile.va.gov/app/mindfulness-coach
https://www.heartmath.org/resources/veterans/resources/
https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/professional-resources/Yoga.asp
https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/veteran-handouts/docs/Yoga-508Final-9-4-2018.pdf
https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/tai-chi-qi-gong.asp
https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/professional-resources/Tai_Chi.asp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyIY_GBhxsk
https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/professional-resources/Massage_Therapy.asp
https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/massage.asp
https://www.rehab.va.gov/PT/index.asp
https://www.visn2.va.gov/dt/rehabilitation.asp
https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/rectherapy/Creative_Arts_Therapies.asp
https://news.va.gov/58542/health-benefits-of-gardening-for-veterans/
Whole Health
Personal Health Inventory - https://www.va.gov/wholehealth/docs/10-773_PHI_July2019_508.pdf
Whole Health – What is Whole Health? Online tools and resources, and how to get started? - https://www.va.gov/wholehealth/
PTSD and Emotional Support Resources
If you are a Veteran in immediate need of support, please contact the Veteran's Crisis Line by dialing 988 and selecting option 1. You can also chat with someone virtually at Home (veteranscrisisline.net)
For a full list of our Mental Health Services and contact representatives please follow the link: Health Services | VA Finger Lakes Health Care | Veterans Affairs
Other helpful tools include the following:
Mobile Mental Health (myvaapps.com)
Manage Stress - National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (va.gov)
PTSD Treatment | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
Peer Support Services in VA | Veterans Affairs
Sleep Problems and PTSD | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
Coping with PTSD Symptoms | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
Peer Support Services in VA | Veterans Affairs
Easily access tools and resources through our mobile apps.
Annie App for Veterans | VA Mobile
Mobile Mental Health (myvaapps.com)
Food and Nutrition
Get in touch with one of our Dieticians and MOVE! Coordiantor Tanisa Spencer at
Check out the additional resources:
Lowdown on Low-Carb Diets - My HealtheVet - My HealtheVet (va.gov)
Plant-Based Diet and Sustainable Eating - Nutrition and Food Services (va.gov)
Managing Type 2 Diabetes | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
Vegan? Low Sodium? High Fiber? - My HealtheVet - My HealtheVet (va.gov)
Eat a Balanced Diet for Mental Health | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
Take Charge with the DASH Diet - My HealtheVet - My HealtheVet (va.gov)
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Be Safe; Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), often referred to as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), are infections you can get or give someone by having sex while you or your partner has an infection. STIs are the same thing as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Many STIs do not have symptoms. You and/or your partner can have an STI and pass it on without knowing it. Some STIs can cause organ damage and infertility. Having one STI may raise your risk for getting other STIs.
Learn about preventing STI's through the following resources or talk to your healthcare provider.
Clinical resources:
Patient resources:
Sleep
Recharge - Whole Health Library (va.gov)
Basics of Sleep: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/public-education/brain-basics/brain-basics-understanding-sleep
Aging and sleep: Sleep-dependent memory consolidation in healthy aging and mild cognitive impairment - PubMed (nih.gov)
Sleep and blood sugar levels: Impact of insufficient sleep on dysregulated blood glucose control under standardised meal conditions - PubMed (nih.gov)
Sleep and steroids: Slow wave sleep and steroid hormones - ClinicalKey
Sleep and mental health: Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials - PubMed (nih.gov)
Metabolism and sleep: Metabolic consequences of sleep and circadian disorders - PubMed (nih.gov)
Sleep Disorders: VA/DoD_Clinical_Practice_Guideline_for_the_Management_of_Chronic_Insomnia_Disorder_and_Obstructive_Sleep_Apnea
Breathing disorders and sleep: Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders | Sleep Foundation
4-7-8 breathing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8fjYPC-k2k
https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/sleep_hygiene.html
https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/veteran-handouts/docs/HealthySleep_Final508_07-25-2019.pdf
https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/sleep101/index.asp
https://www.veteranslaw.com/ptsd-sleep-deprivation/
VHA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP)
VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline
VA's Sleep Check-Up tool: https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/checkup/index.asp
Disease and Disorders Education
Alcohol
VHA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP): www.prevention.va.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Healthfinder – Drink Alcohol Only in Moderation: https://healthffinder.gov/
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): https://www.niaaa.nih. gov/alcohol-health
Veterans Health Library: www.veteranshealthlibrary.va.gov
COPD
Understanding COPD
What Is COPD? | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
Treatments for COPD
Treatments for COPD | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
Life with COPD - Chronic Lung Disease, Day-to-Day Care: for Caregivers
Chronic Lung Disease, Day-to-Day Care: for Caregivers | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
High Blood Pressure:
MyHealthyVet - https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/ss20210712-lower-blood-pressure-dash-diet
https://www.nutrition.va.gov/docs/EducationMaterials/DASHEatingPlan.pdf
Metabolic Syndrome
SCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) 2013 Risk Calculator from AHA/ACC https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/3398/ascvd-atherosclerotic-cardiovascular-disease-2013-risk-calculator-aha-acc
What is High Blood Pressure:
High Blood Pressure - What Is High Blood Pressure | NHLBI, NIH
4 Tips for Better Sleep | Sleep expert Matthew Walker: 4 Tips for Better Sleep | Expert Matthew Walker | Google Zeitgeist 2019 - Bing video
Blood Pressure – understand your numbers - diastolic and systolic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5XTTeP039Q&t=208s
DASH Diet: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/dash-eating-plan
DASH Diet Recipes: https://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov/
Mediterranean Diet: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16037-mediterranean-diet, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/mediterranean-diet/art-20047801
Mediterranean Diet Recipes: https://www.google.com/search?lei=fBFAZNDRFuXKkPIPzt-hoA4&q=mediterranean%20diet%20recipes&ved=2ahUKEwjQ_7_Wqbb-AhVlJUQIHc5vCOQQsKwBKAB6BQiMARAB&biw=1920&bih=937&dpr=1#ip=1
VA Whole Health: https://www.va.gov/wholehealth/
National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: https://www.prevention/va.gov
Metabolic Syndrome. (2023). Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916#:~:text=Metabolic%20syndrome%20is%20a%20cluster,abnormal%20cholesterol%20or%20triglyceride%20levels
Weight and medications: Weight Management Medications Guidance Rev Mar 2023.pdf
Adult Overweight and Obesity: VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Adult Overweight and Obesity
Physical Activity Guidelines: The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (nih.gov)
Basics of Sleep: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/public-education/brain-basics/brain-basics-understanding-sleep
Aging and sleep: Sleep-dependent memory consolidation in healthy aging and mild cognitive impairment - PubMed (nih.gov)
Sleep and blood sugar levels: Impact of insufficient sleep on dysregulated blood glucose control under standardised meal conditions - PubMed (nih.gov)
Sleep and steroids: Slow wave sleep and steroid hormones - ClinicalKey
Sleep and mental health: Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials - PubMed (nih.gov)
Metabolism and sleep: Metabolic consequences of sleep and circadian disorders - PubMed (nih.gov)
Sleep Disorders: VA/DoD_Clinical_Practice_Guideline_for_the_Management_of_Chronic_Insomnia_Disorder_and_Obstructive_Sleep_Apnea
Breathing disorders and sleep: Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders | Sleep Foundation
Exercise is medicine: Factsheets - Exercise is Medicine Australia
Metabolic Syndrome – Symptoms and Causes: Metabolic syndrome - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Nutrition: Patient Education Materials - Nutrition and Food Services (va.gov)
Healthy Teaching Kitchen: Healthy Teaching Kitchen - YouTube
Healthy Teaching Kitchen – Recipes and Cookbooks: Recipes, Cookbooks, and Cooking Videos - Nutrition and Food Services (va.gov)