# Presentation: 703438

## EMBRACING STAFF WELLNESS IN 2008: 

**T/TA Health Conference Call**
**Wednesday, January 16, 2008**
**11:00 am – 12:00 pm PST**
**Allison Hertel, MPA, CHES**
**T/TA Health Specialist**

**EMBRACING STAFF WELLNESS IN 2008: **
**Small Steps to Lasting Change**

## Agenda

- Introduction
- Defining health and wellness
- Why develop a worksite health promotion program?
- How do we implement a wellness program? Choosing your wellness priorities
- Wellness break
- Developing a worksite wellness program that meets everyone’s needs
- Resources

- Filename/RPS Number

## 
50% of worksites employing 50 or more persons will provide programs to prevent or reduce employee stress.

http://www.healthypeople.gov/ 

- 50% of worksites employing 50 or more persons will provide programs to prevent or reduce employee stress.
- _[http://www.healthypeople.gov/](http://www.healthypeople.gov/)__ _
** **

**Healthy People 2010 Goal**

## What is Health Promotion?

**“****Health promotion is the science and art of helping people change their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health.”**
- Optimal health is defined as a balance of physical, emotional, social, spiritual and   emotional health.
- Lifestyle change can be facilitated through a combination of efforts to
- Enhance awareness
- Change behavior
- Create environments that support good health practices
**Of these, supportive environments will probably have the greatest impact in producing lasting change.**
-                      (American Journal of Health Promotion, 1989, 3, 3, 5)

## What is Health Education?

**...** a process that assists individuals, small groups and large populations to **identify health needs** and priorities, **obtain information and resources** needed to meet those needs, and **mobilize action** aimed at achieving desired change.
- It focuses on **creating an environment** in which there are **strong individual and structural supports** for **informed and voluntary decision-making** about personal health and community well being.
- 						(American Journal of Health Promotion, 1989, 3, 3, 5)

## The Six Dimensions of Wellness

- Social
- Occupational/ Environmental
- Spiritual
- Physical
- Intellectual
- Emotional

- _[http://www.nationalwellness.org](http://www.nationalwellness.org/)_** **

## 6 key reasons for developing a worksite health promotion program

**Health care costs.** It is estimated that in 2003, the U.S. will spend $1.66 trillion dollars on health care, much of which can be linked to health habits.
**Most illnesses can be avoided.** It has been suggested that preventable illnesses make up approximately 70% of all illness related costs.
**The work week is expanding**, and traditional work boundaries are disappearing, creating additional health risks to employees.
**The technology revolution is on,** creating health concerns of its own including repetitive stress injuring, low back problems, and sedentary lifestyles.
**Employee stress levels are increasing**. According to a recent national poll, 78% of Americans describe their jobs as stressful.
**Increasing diversity in the workforce** means businesses need to address a variety of health concerns.

-                                                 Source: Wellness Councils of America, _[www.welcoa.org](http://www.welcoa.org/)__ _

## Health & Productivity – FACTS

- Productivity losses related to personal and family health problems cost U.S. employers $1,685 per employee per year, or $225.8 billion annually.
- A meta-review of 42 published studies of worksite health promotion programs shows:
-  Average 28% reduction in sick leave absenteeism
-  Average 26% reduction in health costs
-  Average 30% reduction in workers’ compensation and disability management claims costs
-  Average $5.93 to $1 savings-to-cost ratio

- Downloaded on 01/08/08 from: _[http://www.prevent.org/content/view/29/40/](http://www.prevent.org/content/view/29/40/)_

## “The only exercise some people get is jumping to conclusions, running down their friends, side-stepping responsibility, and pushing their luck!” 				
						– Author Unknown

**	****	****	****	****	****	****– ****Author Unknown**

## How do we implement a wellness program?

- Gather information
- Choose priorities
- Develop and set clear goals and objectives
- Be realistic
- Evaluate and revise

## Choosing Priorities

- Disease and Illness Prevention
- Health Promotion Activities
- Health Education
- Organizational Norms Related to Healthy Behaviors
- Environmental Health

## Disease and Illness Prevention

- Encourage staff to get preventive and primary health care
- Offer health screenings (e.g. diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI)
- Offer vaccinations (e.g. Hepatitis B, flu shots)
- Provide information on age appropriate screenings and tests
- Provide flex time for staff to get medical and dental exams

- _[http://www.4women.gov/](http://www.4women.gov/)__ _

## Health Promotion Activities 

- Implement a 10,000 steps a day program
- Develop staff bulletin boards, have an article in a newsletter, or post flyers throughout program environment
- Provide discounts to health clubs, prenatal classes, smoking cessation classes, or other health related events to staff
- Provide support to staff to prevent burnout
- Host a family health care fair – incorporate family health topics

## Health Education

- Staff training on employee health issues related to disease and illness prevention
- Classes on child safety, parenting, labor and delivery, child rearing for staff who are parents
- Availability of health and nutrition information
- Serving size displays during trainings and meetings
- Staff training on employee benefit packages

## Organizational Norms Related to Healthy Behaviors

- Employee benefits package
- Incentives for staff to participate in wellness programs
- Staff meetings and trainings
- Healthy food and beverage options
- Stretch/Movement breaks
- Fitness and nutrition classes
- Flexible work environment

## Environmental Health

- Workstation ergonomics
- Safety and accident prevention
- Environmental risks
- Proper lifting technique demonstrations
- Going “green”
- Policies – tobacco free, staff health

## Sit up straight in your chair with both feet flat on the floor.  Look straight ahead.  Slowly reach around behind yourself with your right hand and grasp the top right corner of your chair with your right hand. (You can bend your elbow.) Complete the stretch by moving your left hand as close as possible to your right hand. Stretch as far as you can and hold it for 15 seconds.  Repeat on the other side. 
Interlock your fingers, turn your palms outward and extend your arms away from your body as far as you can. Keeping your back straight and arms parallel to the table or the desk, bow your head slightly. Count to five and lift it back up slowly.
      Source:  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/leadersguide.pdf 

- Interlock your fingers, turn your palms outward and extend your arms away from your body as far as you can. Keeping your back straight and arms parallel to the table or the desk, bow your head slightly. Count to five and lift it back up slowly.
**      ****Source**:  _[http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/leadersguide.pdf](http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/leadersguide.pdf)__ _

**Wellness Break**

## How do you develop a program that meets the needs of all of your employees?

## Developing a Worksite Wellness Program that Meets Everyone’s Needs

- How do you develop a program that meets the needs of all of your employees?
- What do we do when we have some staff that are very excited and some that are disinterested in changing behaviors and participating in activities?
- What does a worksite wellness program look like for people in each of the “stages” of change?

## Stages of Change

- Pre-contemplation – Consciousness raising
- Contemplation – Emotional Arousal
- Preparation – Commitment
- Action – Contracts & Rewards
- Maintenance – Countering

## Slide 21

## 10 things you can do TODAY relating to worksite wellness

- Remove the candy dish from your desk or office.
- Add a staff bulletin board that encourages physical activity, healthy nutrition, or another health promotion topic.
- Set up a meeting with your Director to discuss worksite wellness.
- Research one website that is mentioned today.
- Add a walking break to your calendar and take it every day.

## 10 things you can do TODAY relating to worksite wellness

- Put signs around office encouraging people to get up and move!
- Split your takeout lunch with a friend.
- Add a movement activity to your staff or management meeting.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Take a break from your computer – close your eyes, move your legs, and stretch your arms!

## Online Resources and Ideas

- Disease and Illness Prevention
- Health Promotion Activities
- Health Education
- Organizational Norms Related to Healthy Behaviors
- Environmental Health

## Healthfinder.gov – Your Guide to Reliable Health Information

- _[http://www.healthfinder.gov](http://www.healthfinder.gov/)_
**Features:**
- Health news
- Monthly health observances and resources
- Online checkups

## MyPyramid Tracker

- _[http://www.mypyramid.gov](http://www.mypyramid.gov/)__ _
**Features:**
- MyPyramid plan & tracker
- Pregnancy & breastfeeding
- Steps to a healthier weight
- Sections for kids & professionals

## America on the Move: Steps to a Healthier Way of Life

- _[http://www.americaonthemove.org](http://www.americaonthemove.org/)__ _
**Features:**
- Join as a team or as an individual
- Receive daily email tips
- “Walk” the Oregon or Iditarod interactive trail
- Healthy eating ideas
- Challenge buddies and community support

## Small Step Adult and Teen – Improving the health and well-being of America

- _[http://www.smallstep.gov](http://www.smallstep.gov/)__ _
**Features:**
- Portion control and sizes
- Activity tracker
- Interactive diet planning
- Goal setting
- Get the Facts – Eating, activity and others
- Newsletters and daily small step tips

## Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina

- _[http://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/programs_tools/worksites/index.html](http://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/programs_tools/worksites/index.html)__ _
**Features:**
- Worksites Eating Smart and Moving More
- HealthSmart Worksite Wellness Toolkit
- Healthy Meeting Guide
- Move More StairWELL Initiative
- Bring Fresh Produce to Your Setting
- Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less
- Snacks and Drinks Guides

## Eat Smart and Move More Posters...

## http://earth911.org/ 
Features:
		Recycling			Household Items
		Electronics			Going Green at Home
		Air Quality			Newsletters
		State Specific Links		Events & Activities

**Features:**
- 		Recycling			Household Items
- 		Electronics			Going Green at Home
- 		Air Quality			Newsletters
- 		State Specific Links		Events & Activities

**Earth 911: The Nation’s Premier Environmental Resource**

## Division of Occupational Health and Safety: Ergonomics at Work Program

- _[http://dohs.ors.od.nih.gov/ergonomics_home.htm](http://dohs.ors.od.nih.gov/ergonomics_home.htm)_** **
**Features:**
- Computers
- Ergonomic Chairs
- Stretches & Exercises
- A Healthy Back
- Online Resources

## Questions & Comments