Allergies

The road to good health

22626CAEENABC 11/11

Table of contentsMonth 1: Allergies 101

Month 2: Is it an allergy or not?

Month 3: What’s your trigger?

Month 4: Let’s keep it simple

Month 5: Keeping a handle on allergies

Month 6: We’ve only just begun

Dear Employer,Taking an active role in the health of your employees is a noble task with so many benefits. Healthy employees enjoy better quality of life, which means your workplace environment is positive and productive – and that helps your bottom line. Good health is good for everyone.

Did you know that one in five people in the U.S. suffer from allergies? Reactions can range from minor to severe, with the most dangerous being anaphylactic shock.* Because those with allergies must deal with them just about every day, this condition can take a toll on workplace productivity.

We are sending you this allergies awareness campaign kit to support you as you help your employees with allergies. Unmanaged, this condition can significantly affect your employees physically, emotionally and financially. You can help them by creating awareness about allergies, how you get

them and how you control them.

Within this kit you’ll find a month-by-month plan that includes:

} Materials to inform your employees about allergies

} Helpful tips for preventing allergy attacks and managing their effects

} Information on the special programs and services we offer for those with allergies (24/7 NurseLine, ConditionCare and SpecialOffers)

} Events or activities you can do to engage your employees on the path to good health

The first step is to let your employees know about the campaign. Click here for wording you can use in an email or a letter to introduce the campaign to your workforce.

Next, use the tools provided in this kit to launch an informative, interactive campaign to help change behaviors in your employees – for their benefit and yours. Here’s what we’ve provided for each month:

} Day 1: Send the introductory email or letter explaining the materials and activities for the month.

} Week 1: Send the educational article by email or distribute hard copies. If it suits you, put the article in a newsletter you are publishing that month.

} Week 2: Print the poster and hang it around your offices. Or, send the PDF to your employees by email. When provided, send the video and podcast links by email.

} Week 3: Distribute the flier or poster inviting Anthem members to join ConditionCare or use the 24/7 NurseLine and SpecialOffers. (Send this PDF in an email or print it out and post it around your offices.)

} Week 4: Sum up the month with an interactive fun activity or an email/letter encouraging your employees to visit anthem.com/ca and load up on great resources for those concerned about

allergies.

We know this kit can be a helpful roadmap as you take your employees on a journey toward good health.

* Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; National Institutes of Health; American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology; Medline Plus: Allergic Reactions (July 2009): webmd.com.

Month 1Allergies 101

Resources for month 1

Email or letter for employees (next page)This introduces the campaign to your employees and explains the materials and activities for the month. Send this communication to your employees on the first day of the month. Send it in an email or a letter, or whatever format works best for you.

Educational articleThis helpful article can be sent by email or hard copy to your employees at the beginning of the month. It’s good for a newsletter too:

} Allergies

MultimediaSend the links to this health topic video to your employees by email:

} The basics of allergy (link to video)

} The basics of allergy (downloadable file)

24/7 NurseLineThis flier invites your employees to use the 24/7 NurseLine. Any time day or night, Anthem members may call the toll-free phone number and talk to a registered nurse about any health topic, including allergies. This is especially helpful if you are not sure if you should see a doctor, or in some cases head to the emergency room. They also can listen to audio topics on hundreds of health conditions. You can email this PDF or print it and post it around your office.

} 24/7 NurseLine

Online resources Encourage your employees to visit anthem.com/ca and load up on great resources for those who are concerned about allergies.

1. Log in to anthem.com/ca.

2. If you’re not registered to use the site, follow the instructions to register.

3. Click “Health & Wellness.”

4. Under “Health Topics,” click “View All.”

5. Type “allergies” in the search box and click the “Search” button.

6. Check out the information under “Overview.”

Month 1: Allergies 101

Dear <INSERT COMPANY NAME> Employee,

We realize that everyone has a different path to health. We’re here to help you take that first step on your journey to good health. We’ll give you the tools and information you need.

One of the more common health problems today is allergies. You probably know someone who has allergies. It could be your spouse, someone in your family or a friend. Or, maybe you’re dealing with allergies yourself.

New program to help those with allergiesIf you or a loved one has allergies, we have some help for you! We are introducing a new six-month program to help you learn more about allergies and how to manage them.

Are you ready to make a few healthy changes? You don’t have to tackle allergies all at once, or all by yourself. Make small changes, a few at a time and you’ll be surprised at what a difference it can make in your life.

Here’s how it will workFor the next six months, we’ll be giving you information and resources that you can use to learn about allergies.

For this first month, you can learn more by reading the article “Allergies.” You can also watch a video about “The basics of allergy”:

} The basics of allergy (link to video)

} The basics of allergy (downloadable file)

Want to send this email to your employees? Just click here to copy the content.

Find out even more at anthem.com/caIt’s simple, just follow these steps:

1. Log in to anthem.com/ca.

2. If you’re not registered to use the site, follow the instructions to register.

3. Click “Health & Wellness.”

4. Under “Health Topics,” click “View All.”

5. Type “allergies” in the search box and click the “Search” button.

6. Check out the information under “Overview.”

Need more help?If you have a concern or a question about allergies, Anthem can give you some extra help. It’s called the 24/7 NurseLine. Anthem members can call the toll-free phone number, XXX-XXX-XXXX, any time day or night and talk to a registered nurse. It can be your first step on the road to your best health.

Month 2Is it an allergy or not?

Resources for month 2

Email or letter for employees (next page)This explains the materials and activities for the month. Send this communication to your employees on the first day of the month. Send it in an email or a letter, or whatever format works best for you.

Educational articleThis helpful article can be sent by email or hard copy to your employees at the beginning of the month. It’s good for a newsletter too:

} What is an allergy?

PosterPrint this poster and place it around your company’s building:

} Allergy signs and causes

SpecialOffersThis poster invites your employees to use the SpecialOffers program. Anthem members can get discounts on products and services that help promote better health and well-being (such as medicine and treatment through drugstore.com). You can email this PDF or print it and post it around your office.

} SpecialOffers

Online resourcesEncourage your employees to visit anthem.com/ca and load up on great resources for those who want to know more about allergies.

1. Log in to anthem.com/ca.

2. If you’re not registered to use the site, follow the instructions to register.

3. Click on “Health & Wellness.”

4. Under “Health Topics,” click “View All.”

5. Type “allergies” in the search box and click the “Search” button.

6. Read the articles under “Symptoms.”

Month 2: Is it an allergy or not?

Dear <INSERT COMPANY NAME> Employee,

Sometimes it’s difficult to tell if a stuffy nose and watery eyes mean a cold or hay fever. And, sometimes a food allergy doesn’t show up until you’re an adult. Learning as much as you can about allergies now may help you spot them in the future.

You can find out about factors that increase your risk for allergies by reading “What is an allergy?”

Tap into a wealth of knowledge by calling the 24/7 NurseLine and listening to recorded information on literally hundreds of health topics, including allergies.

Learn more by checking out “Allergy types and causes.”

Want to send this email to your employees? Just click here to copy the content.

Find out even more at anthem.com/caIt’s simple, just follow these steps:

1. Log in to anthem.com/ca.

2. If you’re not registered to use the site, follow the instructions to register.

3. Click on “Health & Wellness.”

4. Under “Health Topics,” click “View All.”

5. Type “allergies” in the search box and click the “Search” button.

6. Read the articles under “Symptoms.”

Need more help?Anthem members can get discounts on medicine and treatments through a program called SpecialOffers. And who doesn’t want to save money these days? Check out the SpecialOffers poster to learn more.

Month 3 What’s your trigger?

Resources for month 3

Email or letter for employees (next page)This explains the materials and activities for the month. Send this communication to your employees on the first day of the month. Send it in an email or a letter, or whatever format works best for you.

Educational articleThis helpful article can be sent by email or hard copy to your employees at the beginning of the month. It’s good for a newsletter too:

} Allergy triggers

MultimediaSend the link to this health topic video to your employees by email:

} Kids and allergies

ConditionCareSometimes allergies can exist along with another health condition or cause a person to get a more serious condition such as asthma or diabetes. This flier invites your employees to join the ConditionCare program, which helps people manage those serious health problems. You can email this PDF or print it and post it around your office.

} ConditionCare: frequently asked questions

Special activity – allergy trigger scavenger huntSet aside an hour one day to walk around the office with your team to find potential allergy triggers. Use the information we’ve sent you the past three months to come up with your scavenger hunt list. Then encourage your employees to do the same activity at home.

Month 3: What’s your trigger?

Dear <INSERT COMPANY NAME> Employee,

This month we’d like to put into action some of the knowledge you’ve gained about allergies since the beginning of this campaign.

We’ve planned an allergy triggers scavenger hunt around the office on [INSERT DAY AND MONTH]. We’ll walk around the office together looking for things that might affect those with allergies. Then you can take what you’ve learned at work and hold your own scavenger hunt at home.

As you get ready for the scavenger hunt, let’s take a moment to learn more about allergies, their causes and who they affect.

Check out the article “Allergy triggers.” You can also watch the video “Kids and allergies.”

Want to send this email to your employees? Just click here to copy the content.

Need more help?Sometimes allergies can exist along with another health condition or they can cause you to get a more serious condition such as asthma or diabetes. If you’re struggling with allergies and another health condition, Anthem can give you some extra help. It’s called ConditionCare and it’s a special program for Anthem members.

To find out more and to enroll, call XXX-XXX-XXXX any time of the day or night. It can be your first step on the road to your best health.

Month 4 Let’s keep it simple

Resources for month 4

Email or letter for employees (next page)This explains the materials and activities for the month. Send this communication to your employees on the first day of the month. Send it in an email or a letter, or whatever format works best for you.

Educational articleThis helpful article can be sent by email or hard copy to your employees at the beginning of the month. It’s good for a newsletter too:

} The true and false of allergies

PosterPrint this poster and place it around your company’s building:

} Put a stop to allergies

SpecialOffersThis poster invites your employees to use the SpecialOffers program. Anthem members can get discounts on products and services that help promote better health and well-being (such as medicine and treatment through drugstore.com). You can email this PDF or print it and post it around your office.

} SpecialOffers

Online resources Encourage your employees to visit anthem.com/ca and load up on great resources for those who are concerned about allergies.

1. Log in to anthem.com/ca.

2. If you’re not registered to use the site, follow the instructions to register.

3. Click on “Health & Wellness.”

4. Under “Health Topics,” click “View All.”

5. Type “allergies” in the search box and click the “Search” button.

6. Read the articles under “Prevention.”

Month 4: Let’s keep it simple

Dear <INSERT COMPANY NAME> Employee,

By now, you’ve probably figured out that you can make simple changes to help manage allergies. Taking a few small steps can add up to big rewards like easier breathing and more day-to-day comfort.

Check out the article on “The true and false of allerges” to learn more about the tried and not-so-true of allergies.

Find out even more at anthem.com/caIt’s simple, just follow these steps:

1. Log in to anthem.com/ca.

2. If you’re not registered to use the site, follow the instructions to register.

3. Click “Health & Wellness.”

4. Under “Health Topics,” click “View All.”

5. Type “allergies” in the search box and click the “Search” button.

6. Read the articles under “Prevention.”

Want to send this email to your employees? Just click here to copy the content.

Need more help?Anthem members can get discounts on medicine and treatments through a program called SpecialOffers. And who doesn’t want to save money these days? Check out the SpecialOffers

poster to learn more.

Month 5Keeping a handle

on allergies

Resources for month 5

Email or letter for employees (next page)This explains the materials and activities for the month. Send this communication to your employees on the first day of the month. Send it in an email or a letter, or whatever format works best for you.

Educational articleThis helpful article can be sent by email or hard copy to your employees at the beginning of the month. It’s good for a newsletter too:

} Allergy treatments

MultimediaSend the links to this health topic video to your employees by email:

} The right treatment for your allergies (link to video)

} The right treatment for your allergies (downloadable file)

24/7 NurseLineThis flier invites your employees to use the 24/7 NurseLine. Any time day or night, Anthem members may call the toll-free phone number and talk to a registered nurse about any health topic, including allergies. This is especially helpful if you are not sure if you should see a doctor, or in some cases head to the emergency room. They also can listen to audio topics on hundreds of health conditions. You can email this PDF or print it and post it around your office.

} 24/7 NurseLine

Online resourcesEncourage your employees to visit anthem.com/ca and load up on great resources for those who are concerned about allergies.

1. Log in to anthem.com/ca.

2. If you’re not registered to use the site, follow the instructions to register.

3. Click “Health & Wellness.”

4. Under “Health Topics,” click “View All.”

5. Type “allergies” in the search box and click the “Search” button.

6. Check out the information under “Treatments.”

Month 5: Keeping a handle on allergies

Dear <INSERT COMPANY NAME> Employee,

Taking care of small problems before they become big ones can make a huge difference in your life.

With allergies, that’s especially true. For example, unmanaged allergies can lead to more serious health problems such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

To learn how to treat your allergies and prevent more health problems, read “Allergy treatments.” If you prefer,

watch the video or download the podcast on allergy treatments.

} The right treatment for your allergies (link to video)

} The right treatment for your allergies (downloadable file)

Find out even more at anthem.com/ca

It’s simple, just follow these steps:

1. Log in to anthem.com/ca.

2. If you’re not registered to use the site, follow the instructions to register.

3. Click on “Health & Wellness.”

4. Under “Health Topics,” click “View All.”

5. Type “allergies” in the search box and click the “Search” button.

6. Check out the information under “Treatment.”

Want to send this email to your employees? Just click here to copy the content.

Need more help?If you have a concern or a question about allergies, Anthem can give you some extra help. It’s called the 24/7 NurseLine. Anthem members can call the toll-free phone number, XXX-XXX-XXXX, any time day or night and talk to a registered nurse. It can be your first step on the road to your best health.

Month 6We’ve only just begun

Resources for month 6

Email or letter for employees (next page)This explains the materials and activities for the month. Send this communication to your employees on the first day of the month. Send it in an email or a letter, or whatever format works best for you.

Educational articleThis helpful article can be sent by email or hard copy to your employees at the beginning of the month. It’s good for a newsletter too:

} Strategies to cope with allergies

PosterPrint this poster and place it around your company’s building:

} Living with allergies

ConditionCare: asthmaAllergies and other health conditions like asthma are often linked. This poster invites your employees to join the ConditionCare asthma program. You can email this PDF or print it and post it around your office.

} ConditionCare: asthma

Special activity (next page)Test your employees’ knowledge of allergies and consider offering a prize for the person who answers all of the questions correctly first.

Month 6: We’ve only just begun

Dear <INSERT COMPANY NAME> Employee,

Can you believe that six months have already passed since we started the “Road to good health” allergies awareness program? We hope that you’ve learned some important information about allergies and made some small steps to health.

We want you to continue on your road to health. This is just a start.

As a refresher, try your hand at this quick quiz. [OPTIONAL COPY] If you are the first person to answer all of the questions correctly, you’ll win a prize.

Allergies quiz(Note: Questions based on articles; however, different questions can be used. Answers are: d, b, a, d, a)

1. What are the symptoms of an allergy?a. Watery eyesb. Hivesc. Trouble breathingd. All of the above

2. What is the foreign substance called that triggers an allergy?a. Antibodyb. Antigenc. Allergend. None of the above

3. Are allergies hereditary?a. Yesb. No

Want to send this email to your employees? Just click here to copy the content.

4. What are common causes of allergies? a. Pet danderb. Pollenc. Shellfishd. All of the above

5. How can you manage allergies?a. Know your triggersb. Don’t go outside at allc. Lose weightd. All of the above

Need more help?If you’re struggling with allergies and asthma, Anthem can give you some extra help. It’s called ConditionCare and it’s a special program for Anthem members.

To find out more and to enroll, call XXX-XXX-XXXX any time of the day or night. It can be your first step on the road to your best health.

Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross name and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association.