Connect Community

Checking Your Blood Pressure Could Save Your Life

BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026

Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range is one of the best things you can do for your health. That’s because high blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other health problems. Near.....
- 58413 Views
What Does Your Thyroid Do?

BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck that makes and releases certain hormones. Its main job is to control your metabolism, which is how your body uses energy. Sometimes the thyroid doesn’t work as it should.....
- 5931 Views
Learn About Different Levels of Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment

BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026

Would you know what to do if a friend or family member needed help with a mental health or substance use issue? What kind of help would they need? Who could help? Not knowing what to do can be scary and confusing. But there are many things you can...
- 28972 Views
Are You Paralyzed by Social Anxiety? Learn the Best Ways to Manage It.

BCBSIL Connect Team March 31, 2026

Do you have a friend who always bails when you make plans? They may not be trying to avoid you. Sometime this can happen when people have social anxiety. Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a long-term mental health issue. It...
- 13606 Views
Be an Advocate for Your Own Care

BCBSIL Connect Team March 24, 2026

Prevention is an important part of being healthy. That can mean having a yearly exam. It can mean having routine screening tests that can help spot many potential problems before they become serious health issues. Whether you’re making sure to ....
- 11702 Views
Colon Cancer: Know the Warning Signs

BCBSIL Connect Team March 21, 2026

No one likes to talk about colon cancer. And that’s OK, as long as you take steps to protect yourself. After all, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. And, nearly one half (45%) of new colon cance...
- 9241 Views
How Does Stress Affect Your Body?

BCBSIL Connect Team March 6, 2026

If you’re feeling stressed, join the party. The reasons behind that stressed-out feeling differ for each person. Some talk about it, others don’t. But there’s one thing people have in common: When you’re stressed, you’l...
- 26687 Views
Women: Make a Plan for a Long, Healthy Life

BCBSIL Connect Team March 5, 2026

You can do a lot to stay healthy. Making sure you plan your preventive health care visits is at the top of the list. Getting those recommended screenings on time is an important part of living a long, healthy life. Don’t put it off. Listening .....
- 29274 Views
Therapy 101: What You Should Know About Getting Mental Health Care

BCBSIL Connect Team March 5, 2026

If you’re feeling depressed, anxious or overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Whether you're dealing with health, family, relationships or work problems, there’s a way to get help. It's called psychotherapy. Your first thought may be that ...
- 27163 Views
Create a Routine for Better Sleep

BCBSIL Connect Team March 4, 2026

Most Americans have some type of trouble with sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than one third of American adults are not getting enough sleep every day. And millions of Americans have chronic sleep disorders...
- 9199 Views
How to Keep Your Hardworking Lungs Healthy

BCBSIL Connect Team February 27, 2026

Your lungs help you breathe. But they do much more. They help you fight infections. They help your other organs work. They do so much for your overall health — and they need your protection. Your lungs are easily harmed. Anything you breathe in....
- 34730 Views
10 Ways Alcohol Affects Your Body

BCBSIL Connect Team February 27, 2026

Even small amounts of alcohol can have a big effect on your body. From the very first sip, alcohol enters your bloodstream and quickly travels through your body. Based on your age, gender and health, it may stay there for two hours or longer. During...
- 96867 Views
Help Overcome Opioid Use Disorder with Medication-Assisted Treatment

BCBSIL Connect Team February 27, 2026

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is an ongoing health crisis in the United States that can affect anyone, no matter your race, income level or gender. An estimated 6.1 million people in the U.S. age 12 and older have OUD. The good news is OUD is treatable...
- 13540 Views
Think You May Be Depressed? A Screening Can Help

BCBSIL Connect Team February 27, 2026

If you feel down for weeks or longer, and it keeps you from doing your normal, everyday activities, it could be depression. You don’t have to just accept feeling that way. There are steps you can take that may help. What Is Depression? Depressi....
- 62815 Views
Early Detection Helps Prevent Deaths from Breast Cancer

BCBSIL Connect Team February 27, 2026

Finding breast cancer early is the best way to prevent deaths from breast cancer. Getting regular screening tests is the best way to find breast cancer early. About 1 in 8 American women will get breast cancer at some point in their lives. Each year...
- 86816 Views