Prevention is key to improving your health care

Research shows that scheduling regular appointments and seeing your doctor will result in a healthier and a more cost-effective lifestyle.

Follow these steps at your appointment to get great health care results:

• Tell your doctor your health history and all symptoms. Even if it's embarrassing, tell your doctor personal information so they can properly help.

• Tell of and bring any medicines you are taking. Bring any medical information, such as test results, to your appointment.

• Take notes and write down any questions you may have. If needed, get tests done or see a specialist.

• Ask questions! If you don't know or understand something, always ask your doctor.

Being prepared for your visit will only help you in preventing potentially harmful illnesses and injuries. Prevention is crucial to staying healthy.

Follow these steps and more as a part of The Fittest Loser Challenge sponsored by Assurance.

• Jill Micklow is the Wellness Consultant on the Employee Benefits team at Assurance, a proud sponsor of the Daily Herald Fittest Loser Challenge. She brings Assurance's passion for minimizing risk and maximizing health to clients nationwide, helping them identify specific health and wellness goals and tailoring programs that help them achieve success. Through education, motivation and engagement, Assurance clients and their employees see an improvement in overall health, morale and productivity thanks to Jill's efforts.