Author: directorsblog

Radon Exposure Linked to Increased Asthma Symptoms in Children

directorsblog
By: Dennis Thompson

THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A radioactive gas could be contributing to asthma among schoolkids, researchers have found.

Children exposed to elevated levels of radon gas tended to have more asthma symptoms, results show.

“Residential radon has not previously been described as an environmental risk factor for asthma,” a team led by Dr. Wanda Phipatanakul, director of immunology research with Boston Children’s Hospital, concluded.

“For the first time, we demonstrate a relationship between residential radon exposure and airway inflammation and asthma symptoms among school‐aged children with asthma,” researchers wrote recently in the journal Pediatric Pulmonology.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that’s odorless and invisible, occurring to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It emanates from the breakdown of trace amounts of uranium found in soil.

Homes can fill with radon as it seeps out of soil and up through cracks and crevices, the CDC says. It is the second-leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. after cigarette smoke.

For the study, researchers tracked the health of nearly 300 children with asthma attending inner-city schools.

The team compared kids’ radon exposure in their homes — estimated based on ZIP code — to their asthma symptoms.

Asthmatic kids exposed to radon tended to have more days with asthma symptom flare-ups, researchers found. They also suffered from increased airway inflammation as warm weather turned cold.

“It is known radon levels may fluctuate seasonally, with indoor levels typically higher during winter months, at a time when windows and doors are more often shut limiting natural ventilation,” researchers wrote.

The use of heaters and the compacting of cold soil during the winter also can create pressure differences that might draw more radon gas into the house, researchers added.

The risk posed by radon is akin to that from gas stoves, Dr. Joyce Yu noted in a recent review of the study published in the journal Pediatrics.

“In recent years, some local municipalities, and even New York state, have banned the use of gas stoves in new buildings to reduce indoor pollutant exposures in the homes over concerns for possible environmental impacts and health risks, such as childhood asthma,” wrote Yu, a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist with Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.

“Results from studies like this could help inform scientists, environmental advocates, and lawmakers who are investigating environmental and climate change issues and could potentially impact governmental initiatives and future legislation,” she concluded.

More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about radon gas.

SOURCES: Pediatrics, research review, Dec. 1, 2024; Pediatric Pulmonology, April 2023

APWU Health Plan Supports Members Affected by the Pacific Palisades fire

directorsblog

For our members and their families affected by the fires in the Pacific Palisades area of California , the Health Plan will:
• Relax plan requirements for care received from 1/9/25 – 2/09/25
• For supplies and medications: The Health Plan will waive “refill too soon” limitations for members in the affected areas who are unable to use the mail order service for refills, lost or destroyed medications.
• High Option Teladoc coverage: The Health Plan will expand Teladoc telehealth coverage for our High Option members by providing 5 virtual visits at zero cost, rather than the normal 2.
• In-patient hospital stays that occur during the 1/9/25-2/8/25 timeframe will be paid at the in-network rate even if you are confined in an out-of-network facility.
• A toll-free emotional-support help line is available at 866-447-3573. This line will be open Monday – Friday from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. PST for two weeks from the date of the natural disaster. The service is free of charge and open to anyone.
• Another resource is Optumwellbeing.com, a public website where you can access resources to help navigate difficult situations. The Critical Support Center section of the website includes a library of content for you to access during a critical event, grouped by topic (trauma, natural disasters, etc.).
Our thoughts go out to all those affected. We will continue to monitor this situation closely.

PSHB Inspira Financial Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Program

directorsblog

APWU Health Plan PSHB Consumer Driven Option (CDHP) members:

If you enrolled in the new lnspira Financial flexible spending account (FSA) program, you may have received a letter stating you are only eligible for a Limited Purpose FSA account that will only reimburse for dental and vision. This letter and your Inspira enrollment status is incorrect. You are eligible for a full FSA account (health, vision and dental).

USPS is currently working with Inspira to resolve this issue.


You should watch your mail and email for the updated correspondence from Inspira Financial. If you have enrollment questions, please contact lnspira Financial at 1-833-419-0305 (TTY: 711) Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. CT and Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. CT. APWU and/or the Health Plan will not be able to answer specific Inspira enrollment questions.

Spreading Holiday Cheer: APWU Health Plan Supports Toys for Tots

directorsblog

The APWU Health Plan team is thrilled to announce another successful year supporting Toys for Tots! During our campaign this November and December, collecting over $2,500. These funds were sent directly to Toys for Tots to bring joy to local children in need.

Established in 1947, Toys for Tots has made a lasting impact on communities across the nation. According to their website (toysfortots.org), a staggering 677 million toys have been distributed to 301 million children – a truly remarkable achievement. The APWU Health Plan is proud to be a part of this ongoing mission and contribute to brighter holiday seasons for less fortunate children.

A Heartfelt Thank You

A sincere thank you goes out to all our amazing employees who generously contributed to this campaign. Your compassion and commitment made a real difference in the lives of economically disadvantaged children here in the Baltimore area.

Open Season ExtensionAnnouncement-PSHB Only

directorsblog

In order to provide Postal Service employees and Postal Service annuitants with additional time to review and/ or change their health insurance enrollment during this inaugural Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHBP) year, OPM is extending Open Season through Friday, December 13, 2024, for the PSHBP.

This extension does not include the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program.

PSHB Open Season Starts November 11th!

directorsblog

USPS Employees & Annuitants: Open Season for the new Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHB) begins November 11th, 2024.

Need more information about an APWU Health Plan for 2025?

The PSHB Helpline is available to answer your  enrollment questions:

Don’t miss this opportunity to select the best coverage for your needs!

For more information, visit: https://health-benefits.opm.gov/

Note: This program is exclusive to USPS employees and annuitants.