In 2005, Our Health Matters™ was introduced to a community lacking a health publication that engaged and supported the needs of the diverse community in which we live. We saw this as an opportunity to educate and empower more people to take control of their health where they live, work, worship and play. Our editorial platform empowers people with knowledge and resources to address the whole person — mind, body and spirit.
Our Health Matters’ continued presence is testament to the value and benefit we provide — increasing health literacy. Health literacy is the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions. Whether you realize it or not, health literacy affects one’s ability to effectively navigate the healthcare system, fill out complex forms, locate providers for services, as well as engage in self-care and chronic disease management.
Today, we are an award-winning publication guided by our commitment to help you understand health risks associated with poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, secondhand smoke, and alcohol and substance abuse, to name a few.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, around 74% of all deaths in the United States occur as a result of these ten causes:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Unintentional injuries
- Chronic lower respiratory disease
- Stroke and cerebrovascular diseases
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Diabetes
- Influenza and pneumonia
- Kidney disease
- Suicide
We keep you informed about these conditions, life-threatening events and more. To date, Our Health Matters has distributed more than 1.6 million print editions and engaged thousands more on our website.
