The Fidelis Care Blog 

A primary care provider (PCP) helps you stay healthy. It’s important to build a strong and lasting relationship with your PCP. That way, your PCP can learn more about you and your health over time. Your PCP can see any changes in your health and help support your health and wellness.

Black Maternal Health Week takes place each year from April 11–17. The goal of the observance, which was founded seven years ago by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., is to bring visibility to Black maternal health initiatives and build awareness for the health issues that disproportionately impact Black women during pregnancy, childbirth, and in the months after giving birth.

In observance of National Minority Health Month this April, Fidelis Care is raising awareness about the health disparities facing minorities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), racial and ethnic minority groups throughout the United States experience higher rates of illness and death across a wide range of health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma, and heart disease.

Anyone can get a sexually transmitted infection (STI) by being sexually active. Not all STIs have symptoms. Screening is important because you may not know that you're infected. If you have an STI, get treatment right away. It can help to prevent harmful long-term effects. You may also prevent giving the STI to others.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a painful condition that affects how food and fluids move through your intestines. IBS does not increase your risk of developing other intestinal conditions and is not life-threatening. IBS is also called irritable bowel, irritable colon, spastic colon, and nervous stomach.