Welcome to the July-September '08 issue of CIGNA Healthful Hints, a…

Welcome to the July-September '08 issue of CIGNA Healthful Hints, a quarterly e-bulletin that
features national health news and trends that affect the communities we call home. You'll find
healthy tips and advice from professionals in dental care, vision care and group insurance.

Whether a news item in CIGNA Healthful Hints sparks a story idea for your employee publication
or intranet, we are confident the information will be useful as you prepare health and benefit-
related stories. CIGNA Healthful Hints is written in a style that allows you to lift items directly for
placement in a variety of mediums.
If you would like additional information, would like to be removed from this distribution or have
someone added to the list, please contact us at CIGNA Healthful Hints.

We look forward to keeping you apprised of developments in the health arena and welcome your
comments.




                                      July ­ September 2008


This edition includes the following healthful hints:
    ·    Toothpaste Taste Test
    ·    Chew on This
    ·    Headgear is Cool, Really
    ·    Making Sense of Life


Toothpaste Taste Test ­ When you were a child, eating foods like broccoli or fish may have
been unbearable. If you are like most people, your taste buds eventually grew up with you and
became more "sophisticated." Now, a menu selection of sea bass with a healthy serving of
broccoli may be more to your liking than canned raviolis. And, the same holds true for different
toothpaste flavors.

It can be hard enough to get your children to brush their teeth, let alone use mint-flavored
toothpaste. Their little taste buds would much rather use a paste that tastes like bubble gum. And,
can you blame them?

"Taste is the main difference between children and adult toothpastes. Manufacturers recognize
the difference in taste buds between children and adults and provide an array of different flavors
to encourage people of all ages to brush their teeth regularly," said Dr. Michael Hahn, national
dental director for CIGNA Dental.

Whether the toothpaste is for a seven-year-old or an adult, it's essential that it has fluoride as an
active ingredient. For children between age two and six, use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride
toothpaste. These youngsters tend to swallow the toothpaste, which can cause light spots on
permanent teeth. Start brushing an infant's teeth as soon as a tooth has pushed through the
gums, using a toddler toothpaste that does not contain fluoride. You might also want to check the
product package for the American Dental Association's seal, a sure sign it's been objectively
evaluated for safety and effectiveness by an independent body of scientific experts.

In addition to fluoride, there are a variety of added ingredients which help to fight plaque, offer
relief for sensitive teeth and whiten smiles. Dr. Hahn recommends patients talk to their dentists to
see if they have any recommendations that would be appropriate for their personal needs.
Do you prefer gel or paste or a striped combination? It's really a matter of preference and does
not affect how well your teeth are being cleaned. Toothpastes are also packaged differently: with
a flip top, pump or a screw top; they come in a variety of shades and several different flavors to
freshen your breath and suit your style.

"It's important to remember that a healthy smile doesn't solely depend on the toothpaste you
select. You must also brush at least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day, eat a healthy diet
and see your dentist regularly," said Dr. Hahn.

For more information on oral health, log on to the American Dental Association's website,
www.ada.org.


Chew on This ­ Did you know that chewing gum and eating candy can actually help you fight
cavities and maintain a healthy smile? It's true, if "xylitol" is listed as an ingredient.

"Xylitol, which is a natural sugar, can help stop acid-producing bacteria that can cause cavities.
Xylitol also helps increase saliva production, which not only helps you speak, chew and swallow
easier, but helps protect your teeth from developing cavities," said Dr. Michael Hahn, national
dental director for CIGNA Dental.

In order to reduce the risk of tooth decay, dentists recommend people should have four to 12
grams of xylitol daily.

"Small traces of xylitol can be found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Another good reason to
make sure you eat the recommended daily allowance," said Dr. Hahn. "And because of xylitol's
proven oral health benefits, many consumer goods companies are fortifying their products with it,
making it even easier to monitor the amount you are getting each day.

According to the California Dental Association, for the amount of xylitol to be at decay-preventing
levels it must be listed as the first ingredient.

Products other than gum and mints with xylitol can be found in health food stores and on the
Internet. Chocolate sauce and jams sweetened with xylitol are two examples of products
available to buy on the Internet. Dr. Hahn shared that not only is xylitol good for your teeth, but it's
a good alternative for people with diabetes, plus it has fewer calories than sugar.

In addition to giving your children healthy snacks that help to keep their teeth healthy like cheese,
crackers, raisins, fruits and vegetables, consider incorporating xylitol products as a part of their
daily routine this summer and continue when school starts up again. If only you knew this as a
child, it would have been so much easier to convince Mom to let you have some gum.

Through CIGNA Healthy Rewards®, members can save up to 50 percent on EpicTM products such
as mints, gum, mouthwash and toothpaste which contain xylitol. CIGNA's website has more
information about CIGNA's Healthy Rewards program. CIGNA members can also visit
myCIGNA.com or call 1.800.870.3470 with questions.


Headgear is Cool, Really ­ Flashbacks of junior high might make you cringe if you were one of
the many who had to wear headgear or shiny braces. For some, remembering the days of a
metal smile may not be all that pleasant. But with continuing advancements in orthodontia,
today's braces are less noticeable than those in the past, so generations to come may not have
to endure such trauma.

"Most orthodontic problems are inherited, such as crowding of teeth or too much space between
teeth, while others are a result of sucking a thumb or a pacifier or an accident that has created
problems with a person's teeth alignment," said Dr. Norman Nagel, practicing orthodontist and a
member of CIGNA Dental's Clinical Advisory Panel*. "When someone has orthodontic problems
such as an overbite, underbite, crowding of teeth or a crossbite, it can affect your ability to clean
and maintain your teeth, which may cause tooth decay and gum disease."

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, it's estimated that between 50 and 75
percent of the population could benefit from orthodontic treatment. For some of these people their
orthodontic problems may create excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the
teeth, which can result in chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck.

"Treating a person's teeth may not only help the overall health of their mouth, but it can also
assist with their mental health," said Dr. Nagel. "Having an attractive smile can boost self esteem
and confidence, which in turn may help them be more successful in school or at work."

Both children and adults can benefit from orthodontics. The American Association of
Orthodontists recommends children have a check-up with an orthodontist by the time they are
seven-years-old because it may be easier to fix some problems earlier.

Today's braces are smaller and more efficient and the wires used may include nickel, titanium,
copper and cobalt. Brackets are available in clear, metal and in color. Braces can be a fashion
statement for some, and kids and adults alike can in some instances pick from an array of colors
to "dress-up" their brackets. And for those who want to be more discrete about having their smile
straightened, clear, removable aligners may also be available as a treatment option. These are
more popularly used by adults.

Just like when you wore braces years ago, people with braces need to take extra time to clean
their teeth and avoid eating sticky candy and hard foods or placing objects, such as pens, in their
mouth that might damage their braces.

If you would like to be evaluated for orthodontic treatment or you would like your child to be
evaluated, talk to your dentist who can refer you to an orthodontist or log on to the American
Association of Orthodontists at www.braces.org.


Making Sense of Life ­ According to a recent survey by the Life and Health Insurance
Foundation for Education (LIFE), most Americans would rather do almost anything else, like get
stuck in a New York City subway without air conditioning, than purchase life insurance1.

And it's not because they don't believe life insurance is important. In fact, the survey revealed
nearly three out of four people believe it's a necessity, but they believe that they can't afford it.
Another survey of 48 million households conducted by the insurance association LIMRA,
revealed that people hesitate because they lack education - they don't know how much or what
type to buy - and because they don't want to think about the worst2.

"When others depend on you, you have to think about the unthinkable," said Jim Jacobsen, vice
president of product for CIGNA Group Insurance. "Life insurance should be an essential part of a
person's overall financial plan. It provides people with financial security and peace of mind
knowing they've taken the steps necessary to ensure their loved ones will be able to pay for
everyday expenses and longer term needs like college and retirement."

The amount of insurance needed varies from person to person, and also varies on life stage, like
whether you are single, married or have children. That's why it's important to regularly review life
insurance needs. Bottom line, you will want to make sure your loved ones have enough money to
pay for immediate expenses such as a funeral, the mortgage or rent and monthly bills, as well as
maintain their standard of living.
Determining how much life insurance you need is easier than you think. CIGNA's online life
insurance calculator can help you estimate how much life coverage may be appropriate for your
needs.

Many employers offer life insurance to employees as a part of their employee benefits package.
"If an employer offers life insurance, it is usually term-life insurance, which provides coverage
during the person's employment period," said Jacobsen. "Group term life insurance is often more
affordable than coverage individuals might find on their own."

Many life insurance plans offer additional services as well. For example, CIGNA offers will
preparation services with its group-life plans. Comprehensive services and support to
beneficiaries such as legal, financial and bereavement counseling also are provided. Be sure to
name a beneficiary for your life insurance, and review your beneficiary designations as
circumstances change.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month and Jacobsen suggests individuals check into the
affordable life insurance options that may be available to them at work.

For more information on getting the valuable life insurance you need, please visit CIGNA's online
consumer education toolkit.
1
    Survey results announced in a LIFE press release issued on Sept. 17, 2007.
2
    From LIMRA's "Every Excuse in the Book: 101 Reasons Not To Buy Life Insurance" July, 2006.
*About the CIGNA Dental Clinical Advisory Panel ­ To facilitate the creation of innovative approaches to emerging
issues related to developing technologies, medical/dental integration and evidence-based strategies, CIGNA Dental has
organized an independent panel of well-known, clinical experts in dentistry. The CIGNA Dental Clinical Advisory Panel
consists of leaders in the dental profession, many of whom are published and have served in leadership roles within their
specialty or the American Dental Association. Several panel members have current academic appointments in major
schools of dentistry, including the University of PA, Tufts, SUNY, and UCLA.
CIGNA is a registered mark, licensed for use by subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation. Products and services are provided
by these subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation. CIGNA Dental refers to the following operating subsidiaries of
CIGNA Corporation: Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, and CIGNA Dental Health, Inc., and its operating
subsidiaries and affiliates.
© 2008 CIGNA