The 411 on Preventive Health Care

How to improve your health now!

Hyperplasia - This is when the cells lining the ducts or lobules in the breasts grow too fast. It doesn’t typically cause a lump, but it can be seen on a mammogram and diagnosed via biopsy.  Link to cancer risk: Mild hyperplasia doesn’t impact cancer risk. But moderate hyperplasia comes with a 1.5 to 2 times increase of risk, and atypical hyperplasia multiplies risk by 3.5 to 5 times. (Photo: Thomas Barwick/Getty Images)

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National Minority Health Month - This month marks National Minority Health Month. Aimed at raising awareness around racial health disparities, this year’s theme is “Prevention Is Power.” Read more about what preventive health is, how Obamacare strengthens it and what you can do now to ensure a healthy life. — (@kelleent) Kellee Terrell(Photo: Thomas Barwick/Getty Images)

Why Preventive Care Matters to African-Americans - It’s no secret: We have a serious health gap in the U.S. Whether it’s HIV/AIDS, reproductive health issues, obesity, diabetes or heart disease, African-Americans suffer poorer health. And yet sadly, most of these illnesses can be prevented with better access to quality health care and living a healthier lifestyle. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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Why Preventive Care Matters to African-Americans - It’s no secret: We have a serious health gap in the U.S. Whether it’s HIV/AIDS, reproductive health issues, obesity, diabetes or heart disease, African-Americans suffer poorer health. And yet sadly, most of these illnesses can be prevented with better access to quality health care and living a healthier lifestyle. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Obamacare and Preventive Health - One way to address racial health disparities is on a structural level. Thanks to Obamacare, which will provide millions with quality health care, preventive care is included — co-pay free, from cancer screenings, HIV tests, mammograms and Pap smears, to name a few. (Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Bachman)

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Obamacare and Preventive Health - One way to address racial health disparities is on a structural level. Thanks to Obamacare, which will provide millions with quality health care, preventive care is included — co-pay free, from cancer screenings, HIV tests, mammograms and Pap smears, to name a few. (Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Bachman)

Benefits - Benefits are what your health insurance covers under your plan. Each plan will offer “essential health benefits” which include some of the following: maternity and newborn care, mental health services, emergency care, lab tests and ambulance rides. Also, preventive care and preventive screenings under the Affordable Care Act are free and co-pay free. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Why Wait Until Your Sick?  - Preventive health is based on the notion that if you do certain things to stay healthy, it can help reduce your chance of developing or contracting certain diseases and illnesses. Making small changes now can make a huge difference in the quality of your health. 

Straight From the Farm - Don’t miss out on the summer’s vibrant organic bounty at your local farmer’s market. Mouth-watering goodies like corn, watermelon, zucchini and green beans thrive in this season. Once you’ve drawn inspiration from all of the delicious offerings, get creative in the kitchen with some of these healthy DIY brunch recipes.(Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

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Eat More of a Plant-Based Diet - Eating seven or more servings of fruits and veggies can reduce your risk of death by 43 percent. Also, past studies have found that eating red and processed meats — cold cuts, pepperoni and bacon — can increase your risk for cancer. (Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

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Running Reduces Your Risk of Death - Running can slash your risk of death by 30 percent, says a new report. These benefits work for avid runners and beginners who run one hour a week. Either way you will live longer than non-runners. Researchers found this to be true regardless of age, race, gender and smoking status, USA Today writes.  (Photo: Alija/Getty Images)

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Get Your Sweat On! - Obesity and living a sedentary lifestyle opens you up to being vulnerable to a slew of illnesses. Eating well is one way to combat obesity, the other one is exercise. Try working out three to five days a week and include strength training. Read more about fun workouts for you to try here. (Photo: Alija/Getty Images)

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Try Ditching Sugary Drinks - Another way to bring down your weight and improve your health is by reducing the amount of sugary drinks you consume every day. Drink less soda, energy drinks and fruit juices and replace them with good old water, sparkling water and even unsweetened teas. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez/Getty Images)

Experiment With Condoms - So you talked to him and he’s on board with wrapping it up? Now go ahead and have fun with it. Condoms come in different colors, different flavors and different thicknesses — take advantage of that and mix it up. (Photo: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Practice Safer Sex! - HIV/AIDS and STDs are 100 preventable and yet African-Americans still bear the brunt of both of these epidemics. And while structural factors help fuel these illnesses in our community, one real way to prevent HIV is to use condoms and get tested. (Photo: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Don’t Smoke - Not only does smoking cigarettes increase your risk of developing breast cancer — particularly in young women — but regular exposure to secondhand smoke does, too. So stay away from cigarettes in all forms.  (Photo: Bruno Vincent/Getty Images)

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Quit the Cancer Sticks! - While Blacks are less likely to develop lung cancer, we are more likely to die from it. One way to reduce our risk is by not smoking. Remember: If you don’t succeed the first time, keep trying at it. Read these tips to help you get started. (Photo: Bruno Vincent/Getty Images)

Not Sweating the Small Stuff - Stable emotional and mental health is such an important part of maintaining overall good health. This year, I am not going to internalize negativity around me: Demanding people, unsupportive “friends,” unnecessary drama and stupidity on social media sites. Instead, I am going to channel that energy into my writing, films, activism and weight loss plan. (Photo: Image Source/Getty Images)

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Relax, Relate, Release - Stress kills, so it’s important to find healthy ways to address and relieve that stress. Try yoga, journaling and meditation to stay calm, healthy and focused. Your heart will thank you. (Photo: Image Source/Getty Images)

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Don’t Forget to Floss - Oral health is incredibly important to our overall health. “Flossing is even more important than brushing when it comes to preventing periodontal (gum) disease and tooth loss,” according to WebMD. Flossing helps remove the plague in between our teeth that brushing just can’t reach, especially in our back teeth. (Photo: Stockbyte/Getty Images)