Healthy People - Intervention Programs
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The intervention programs are designed to encourage employees to adopt a lifestyle that will result in improved health. The program is based upon the assumption that lifestyle activities such as diet, exercise, smoking, and stress management contribute significantly to the individual's health and that activities to promote health and personal awareness can be promoted in the work setting.
OBJECTIVES FOR INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
- Reduction in the percent of employees who are more than 20% above the recommended weight and percent body fat for their height and gender.
- Reduction in the percent of employees who smoke.
- Reduction in the percent of employees that have a blood cholesterol level greater than 200 mg/dl.
- Reduction in the percent of employees who have a blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg.
- Increase in the percent of employees who exercise aerobically for a minimum of 20 minutes three times per week.
- Increase in the percent of employees who use seatbelts every time they get in a car.
- Increase in the percent of employees who receive regular screening for colon, cervical, testicular, and breast cancer.
- Increase in the percent of employees who report using proper lifting technique.
- Increase in the percent of employees who report having a smoke detector in their home.
- Increase in the percent of employees who exhibit knowledge of first aid and CPR techniques.
INTRODUCTION TO HEALTHY PEOPLE INTERVENTIONS
A 30 minute presentation will be scheduled during working hours at each work location to acquaint employees with the intervention programs to be offered in their district. An overview of the programs will be presented by HEALTHY PEOPLE personnel to describe the objectives of the intervention programs and to acquaint employees with the various programs themselves. A question and answer period will be included to address employees' concerns. Employees will also have the opportunity to register for certain programs and obtain educational materials on a variety of health issues. The goal of this meeting is to increase employee participation in the voluntary intervention programs that will be offered at each work location or within the district. As always, confidentiality will be insured for those employees who choose to participate in the intervention programs.
HELP YOUR HEART
The number one cause of death in America is heart disease. Employee heart disease costs employers between $20,000 to $100,000 per employee afflicted with this debilitating disease. Risk factors for heart disease that are within the individual's control include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle.
The HELP YOUR HEART program is designed to help employees identify their own personal risk factors for disease and identify ways in which they can significantly reduce these risks. The program consists of six sessions:
Session one: Outlines the HELP YOUR HEART program. Identifies major risk factors for heart disease. Participants will evaluate their own personal risk factors and identify ways to reduce those risk factors that are within the individual's control.
Session two: Identifies proper nutrition habits and diet management. Participants will set personal goals and identify specific behavioral changes.
Session three: Identifies methods for controlling high blood pressure and managing blood cholesterol levels.
Session four: Identifies causes of stress and stress management techniques. Participants will identify personal sources of stress in their lives and set goals for a personal stress management program.
Session five: Exercise and heart health will be explored. Participants will develop a personal fitness plan for increasing their aerobic exercise level.
Session six: A summary of heart disease and opportunity for participants to discuss personal problems, concerns and behavioral changes.
CHOOSE TO LOSE IT
Obesity is indicated by a body weight of 20% or more above recommended weight based on a person's height and gender. According to the National Institute for Health, obese people have three times the normal incidence for high blood pressure, an increased risk for heart disease, and an elevated risk for the development of arthritis, respiratory diseases, and certain types of cancer.
Any diet that promises to take weight off quickly can be dangerous. Very low calorie diets may weaken the heart, disrupt the body's normal balance, induce the blood pressure to plummet, and often result in an overall lower metabolic rate that leads to easy weight gain when normal eating habits are resumed. The best diet is a well balanced one based on the principles of sound nutrition. This, combined with a regular exercise program, will encourage a gradual weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week and often results in an overall increase of the individual's metabolic rate.
The CHOOSE TO LOSE IT program aims to encourage people to lose weight through the establishment of good eating habits and regular exercise. Four sessions will be offered in each district after working hours, with ongoing self help groups at each work location. In addition, individual counseling with qualified HEALTHY PEOPLE personnel will be available to participants at their work locations.
Session one: Presents basics of a sound diet and menu planning techniques. Participants will identify a personal weight goal and schedule an appointment for a diet review at their work location.
Individual counseling: Participants can sign up for individual review of a three day food record at the first session. Personnel will come to the participant's work location for the private session.
Session two: Presents the basics for healthy weight control without starving. Emotional issues and behavioral change are examined.
Session three: Presents basic menu planning skills and sample menus for healthy eating.
Individual counseling: Participants can sign up for a review of a three day food record at the third session. Personnel will come to the participant's work location for the private session.
Session four: Establishes self help groups and guidelines for each work location.
HEALTH YOURSELF: WALKING CLUB
Exercise provides benefits at every age and at every stage of life. Aerobic exercise is especially important because it exercises the most important muscle in the body; the heart.
The goal of the HEALTH YOURSELF walking club is to increase the number of employees who get 20 minutes or more of aerobic exercise three times per week. HEALTHY PEOPLE personnel will be responsible for helping to organize these clubs at each work location. Incentives will be offered in the form of prizes and contests between work sites. Special topics will be presented periodically by guest speakers within the district.
Session one: Presents the benefits of exercise. Participants will elect officers and establish walking routes and times. Each member will identify a buddy to walk with in order to reinforce behavior change and increase the safety of this program.
CALLING IT QUITS
Each year, smoking claims the lives of more than 320,000 Americans. The percentage of men who smoke more than 25 cigarettes per day has increased from 25% to 34% in the last twenty years. Among women, the rise has been from 13% to 24%. Yet, as a social behavior, smoking has become increasingly unpopular and frequently is banned in public places.
Smoking also takes its toll in dollars and cents. Absenteeism and medical insurance claims due to smoking cost the employer between $400 and $4,600 more annually per smoker as compared to nonsmokers. The goal of CALLING IT QUITS is to reduce the percentage of smokers among employees and to promote a nonsmoking environment in the schools.
The American Cancer Society has developed the “Fresh Start” quit smoking program which is designed to help individuals quit smoking and stay off cigarettes. The program consists of four small group sessions led by a HEALTHY PEOPLE facilitator. Posters and educational literature will be distributed to participants and posted in the work locations.
Session one: Explores the why and how of smoking. Participants will be acquainted with the program and each other and learn basic strategies to quit.
Session two: Explains withdrawal symptoms and stress management techniques.
Session three: Preparation is made for a “48-hour” quit. Participants will identify a buddy to call for support.
Session four: Participants discuss experiences and problems with the “48-hour” quit. Strategies for quitting are discussed. Participants set a goal for quitting for good.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Stress is a fact of life in the modern world. We experience stress and change at every stage of our lives. But research shows that it is how the individual responds to stress, not the stressful situation itself, that determines its psychological and physiological impact on the individual.
The goal of the STRESS MANAGEMENT program is to help participants identify stressors in their own lives and identify coping strategies for dealing with stress. HEALTHY PEOPLE personnel will provide two sessions within each school district:
Session one: Stress will be defined and participants will identify sources of stress and personal response styles.
Session two: Numerous stress management techniques will be described. Participants will practice several new techniques and determine a personal plan of action for managing stress in their own lives.
CANCER PREVENTION
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in American society. Many types of cancer, such as lung cancer and cancer of the colon, have been found to be related to lifestyle factors that can be controlled by the individual. The key to cancer survival is early detection. It is critical that cancer be diagnosed in its early stages when the chances for successful treatment are at their greatest.
The goal of the CANCER PREVENTION program is to increase employees' awareness of their role in cancer prevention and detection. Special presentations will be made within each district about cancer prevention and self examination techniques. Screening services will be arranged for employees at reduced rates that can be charged against the annual physical exam benefit. Educational materials will also be distributed at the work locations.
SAFETY/FIRST AID/CPR
This program will promote safety at the work site and provide opportunities for employees to learn life saving techniques and CPR. Posters, literature, and signs aimed at increasing employees' awareness of safety and first aid will be posted at work locations. Classes for CPR will be arranged with the American Red Cross within districts that show an interest in this type of activity.
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