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Welcome to the website of The Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan. We have been serving the health benefit needs of Alberta’s education sector for over 40 years. On this site, our over 100,000 covered members will be able to access information about their health benefit plan as well as health and wellness information through their exclusive access to Apple-a-Day.
Health News Headlines
*NEW* High-risk groups currently eligible for H1N1 vaccination
The following high-risk groups are eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccination now:
- children six months of age to less than 18 years (as of Nov. 1), as well as immediate family members and caregivers living in the same household
- people aged 65 and older (as of Nov. 1), as well as their spouses or partners regardless of age
- pregnant women
- people aged 18 to 64 (as of Nov. 1) with chronic conditions
- household contacts and caregivers of people who cannot be immunized or won't respond to the vaccination (infants under six months of age and people with suppressed immune systems)
- healthcare workers
- first responders and essential municipal workers
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
- people living in remote communities
- people who have been treated for cancer within the last year
A complete list of eligible high-risk groups and chronic conditions can be found on Alberta's Health and Wellness website. New groups will continue to become eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccination. For more information, keep checking the ASEBP homepage.
The regular seasonal influenza immunization is still available for everyone.
For more information, click the links below:
Influenza-A H1N1 Virus
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the H1N1 virus a pandemic. For this to happen, a virus must meet the following criteria:
- Widespread exposure
- People have not been previously exposed to the virus and therefore have no protection against it.
Considering the recent media attention related to influenza, you may be wondering what this means for you and your family – especially as the influenza season is now upon us. Read more...
November is Diabetes awareness month!
 Diabetes is a serious, chronic health condition and has a significant impact on the health of many Albertans. With diabetes, the body has difficulty making or using insulin, causing blood glucose levels to rise above normal. Glucose is the amount of sugar found in an individual’s blood.
Throughout the month of November, check back to ASEBP’s website for articles pertaining to the different types of diabetes, insulin medications and diabetic complications that can be prevented or better managed. Access Apple-a-Day for additional information on diabetes including slide shows, quizzes and answers from a Mayo Clinic Specialist regarding diabetic specific questions!
Week Four - Foot Care
Foot care is especially important if you or a family member have diabetes. Diabetes can impair blood flow to your feet and result in nerve damage. Without proper attention and care, a small injury can develop into an open sore (ulcer) that can be difficult to treat. Sometimes amputation is necessary if an infection severely damages the tissue and bone. Read more...
Week Three - Insulin
Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone made by the pancreas that helps our body use or store the glucose (sugar) it gets from food. For people with diabetes, either the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin to meet the body's requirements or the body isn’t able to properly use the insulin that is made. As a result, glucose cannot be used or stored properly and accumulates in the bloodstream. Read more about insulin and diabetic medication.
Week Two - Type 2 Diabetes
Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is not an auto-immune disorder. With type 2 diabetes the pancreas produces insulin, but the cells become resistant to insulin. Insulin, in turn, is not able to move into the cells and stays in the bloodstream and where it accumulates. Read more...
Week One - Type 1 Diabetes
People may misinterpret diabetes as one disease, but in reality glucose can accumulate in the blood for various reasons, resulting in different types of diabetes. Read more for additional information on type 1 diabetes, its signs and symptoms and how it is diagnosed.
Featured News from Apple-a-Day!
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