Let us be your guide on your “Path to Health“

Programs and Services

Harvard University’s School of Public Health reports that eating healthy and staying active are important to managing and preventing illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and certain cancers, including colon and breast cancer. If exercising and eating healthy benefit the body, not doing so may hurt it by increasing our chances of becoming overweight and developing a number of chronic diseases.

According to analyses by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, inactivity was associated with more than 9 million cases of cardiovascular disease in 2001, at an estimated direct medical cost of nearly $24 billion according to information gathered by Havard University. Simply put: healthy eating and physical fitness can help prevent illness, which in turn, keeps down medical costs and most importantly supports longer and healthier lives.

Primero Health is providing the following information, resources, programs, and services to help each of us maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit and to help us live longer, healthier lives in the communities where we live, work, and pray.

We want to help you get healthy and stay healthy!

Start TODAY! See our guide for a Path to a Healthy Lifestyle.

HEALTH SERVICES

Diabetes Self-Management Support Services

Primero Health will periodically offer classes to coordinate culture-based education and support services specific to the self-management of diabetes. The six-week class program includes follow-up with participants for 90-days to monitor and evaluate progress.

Please see our Calendar for information about any upcoming Diabetes Prevention and Control classes.

Primero Health offers a monthly Support Group session to provide Diabetes related information and support to help participants manage and control diabetes successfully and support the transition from an unhealthy to a healthy lifestyle. The support group also provides an opportunity to share experiences in a social gathering environment. Please Download the support group flyer for more information.

Transition Support Services

Primero Health will implement a pilot program to provide limited health care services and service coordination to individuals transitioning from a hospital or rehabilitation facility into the community. This project targets individuals with limited or no insurance coverage and who may be at risk of readmission due to lack of supports and resources.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS are services that Primero Health and its partners offer to the general public. These services include Community Health Screenings, Exercises Classes, and Health Benefit Workshops. These services are offered at no charge. Primero Health invites you to participate in all of our Community Outreach Programs. Bring a partner to double your fun! Who knows, you may be saving a life!

COMMUNITY HEALTH SCREENINGS

Primero Health participates in Community Health Screenings throughout the year. Please check our Calendar of Events page to obtain a schedule of our upcoming events.

FREE ZUMBA CLASSES

Primero Health has partnered with local churches and community organizations to provide free Zumba classes at several different locations in Austin.

Please check our Calendar of Events for a complete list of Zumba classes and other Primero Health events.

*To schedule an exercise class in your community, Contact us.

WORKSHOPS

Primero Health provides information and education on nutrition, fitness, and Diabetes Prevention and Self-Management through Community Workshops. Please check our Calendar of Events page to obtain a schedule of our upcoming workshops.

*To schedule a workshop, Contact us.

ONLINE SELF-HELP PROGRAMS & SERVICES

ONLINE SELF-HELP PROGRAMS AND SERVICES are designed for your convenience to participate on your own or with a buddy. The important thing is to take ACTION. John Goddard once said: “Some people wait too long for their ship to come in, their pier collapses.” Don’t wait for your body to collapse, be proactive and take action now!

NUTRITION

Good nutrition is about supplying our bodies with the foods and beverages needed in order to function at their best. It’s about eating good foods, not processed food and drink products. Good nutrition is not about how much you eat, but about the quality of food you eat.

A good diet plays an important role in achieving optimal well-being by promoting physical and mental vitality. It helps us maintain a healthful weight, and fortifies our immune systems to prevent disease. A poor diet, on the other hand, can lead to a number of serious health issues that shorten our lives or make them less enjoyable.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

According to the CDC, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can help:

Control your weight;
Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease;
Reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes;
Reduce your risk of colon and breast cancers;
Strengthen your bones and muscles;
Improve your mental health and mood;
Improve your ability to do daily activities and prevent falls, if you’re an older adult;
and Increase your chances of living a better, longer life.

You don’t need expensive equipment and expensive health club fees to start a physical fitness program. You only need motivation and determination! Start now; you have nothing to lose….except maybe a few pounds. Primero Health provides access to everything you need: Exercise Videos, Calorie Counter, nutritional food facts, motivational quotes and more.

Bottom line: the health benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risk of injury, so start today!

Please check our Calendar of Events for a complete list of Zumba classes and other Primero Health events.

…or click on one of the video links below to begin a workout in your own home!

BANISH FAT BOOST / PILATES / ZUMBA / SENIOR CITIZENS

BEGINNER / INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED

Here are some other helpful links to help you get motivated!

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Stress is not just an emotion, it’s a physical response to ever increasing demands placed on you by life. Whether its “negative stress” or “positive stress”, your body responds as if it’s in danger. It makes hormones that speed up your heart, makes you breathe faster, and releases a burst of energy to fuel your capacity for a response. This is labeled as the “fight-or-flight” response. Once the threat is gone, your body is meant to return to a normal relaxed state. Some stress is normal. But if stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can have bad effects on your body. Stress can be linked to headaches, upset stomach, back pain, and trouble sleeping. A high level of stress puts you at increased risk of serious health consequences, including obesity, heart disease, and depression. If you have health problems, stress may make it worse.

The behavioral effects are damaging to the body as some people may turn to drinking or smoking. Some people stop exercising and eating properly, while others may cut down on sleep, or may sleep badly. The link between stress and heart disease is well-established. This is why stress management is so important! Stress management gives you a range of options and tools you can use to help you relax.

Primero Health identified additional information and tools regarding:

Relaxation Techniques
Stress and Weight Gain
Stress and Depression
Diabetes and Stress
Stress Symptoms: Effects on your body, feelings, and behavior
The Food and Mood Connection

Learn how to manage your stress with help from some websites we’ve identified for you.

Take stress seriously!

DIABETES PREVENTION & SELF-MANAGEMENT

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus (MEL-ih-tus), or simply, diabetes is usually a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there are high levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body’s ability to produce and/or use insulin. Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. Over 40 million Americans have pre-diabetes (which often comes before type 2 diabetes).

There are two major types of diabetes. The causes and risk factors are different for each type:

Type 1 Diabetes can occur at any age, but it is most often diagnosed in children, teens, or young adults. In this disease, the body makes little or no insulin. Daily injections of insulin are needed. The exact cause is unknown.
Type 2 Diabetes makes up most diabetes cases. It most often occurs in adulthood. However, because of high obesity rates, teens and young adults are now being diagnosed with it. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it.

Good news: You can reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Take time to learn how you can take small steps to change your diet, increase your level of physical activity, and maintain a healthy weight. With positive changes, you can stay healthier longer and reduce your risk of diabetes.

Primero Health knows that each person with Diabetes is unique and has their own medical history, challenges, anxieties, and expectations. There are several treatment options available to people with Diabetes. Primero Health has gathered several resources to help you overcome the daily challenges of managing and preventing diabetes.

SELF-CARE & HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF COMMON SYMPTOMS

Self-care is about paying attention to how you feel and taking action when you sense something is wrong. This means being tuned in to your body and mind; to recognize when something is out of balance and to take immediate action. Making wise decisions about dealing with symptoms is critical. Based on the symptom, you may make a decision to modify your lifestyle, adopt a self-care practice, or seek medical attention. For example, you might decide to take a break and do some deep breathing to relieve stress that is causing a headache or take over the counter analgesics. However, it is best to seek medical attention when you experience recurring headaches or when it is particularly acute and you sense something new is going on. It is important to know when and how to treat yourself at home and when you should go to the doctor. It is also important to get proper training when self-managing a long-term condition. Even when you decide to go to the doctor, you still need to practice self-care. You need to actively participate in treatment decisions, make sure you know your options, and understand what you need to do. Just as importantly, you need to follow up with the recommended treatments, making sure you complete your course of care (source: University of Minnesota, Taking Charge of your Health).

Primero Health has found additional resources and information to help you get started.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Primero Health is a non-profit 501c3 organization. Its initial focus is to promote healthy communities through health education and services initiatives designed to improve access to and quality of care for underserved families. As most non-profit organizations, Primero Health will not be able to function without the generous support of volunteers. We are recruiting “community champions” to lead volunteer teams. The teams will be provided with training, resources and clinical support to help deliver health information, support services, coordinate exercise classes and community Health Screenings.

Benefits:

Free Training and Education
Hands-on Experience
Opportunity for CNA (certified nurse assistant) Certification
Stipends (mileage reimbursement)
Participation in Community, Social, and Professional Events

For volunteer opportunities, please contact us by email or phone at:

Email: Contact Us

Phone: 512-736-4361

Disclaimer

For your convenience, we are providing links to other websites that are not maintained by Primero Health. The availability of these links from our website does not imply that the organizations or individuals that own the linked websites endorse Primero Health, its services, information nor views found on its website. In addition, Primero Health does not have editorial or other control over the content of the websites we link to, and the opinions expressed on these websites do not necessarily reflect the views of Primero Health.

The information on our website is intended solely for general educational purposes, and it is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician (or doctor) or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before making changes to your medication program, diet, or exercise regimen. Reliance on any information provided on this site is solely at your own risk. Anyone with medical problems of any nature should see and consult a doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. Even if you have no known health problems, it is advisable to consult your doctor(s) before making major changed in your lifestyle.

We do not knowingly accept advertisements (ads) that are not genuine offers. However, since all ads on our site are from independent sources, they are not guaranteed by us. Primero Health materials may not be altered, or reproduced in whole or in part. However, single copies of our materials may be printed/downloaded for (a) personal use; (b) the use of staff and clients of non-profit organizations; and (c) after receipt of written permission from Primero Health, for other purposes.