1. EMBRACING STAFF WELLNESS IN 2008:
Small Steps to Lasting Change
T/TA Health Conference Call
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
11:00 am – 12:00 pm PST
Allison Hertel, MPA, CHES
T/TA Health Specialist

2. 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 1

3. Healthy People 2010 Goal
50% of worksites employing 50 or more persons
will provide programs to prevent or reduce
employee stress.
http://www.healthypeople.gov/
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4. 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)
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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)
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6. The Six Dimensions of Wellness
 Social
 Occupational/
Environmental
 Spiritual
 Physical
 Intellectual
 Emotional
http://www.nationalwellness.org
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7. 6 key reasons for developing a worksite health
promotion program
1. 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.
2. Most illnesses can be avoided. It has been suggested that preventable illnesses make up
approximately 70% of all illness related costs.
3. The work week is expanding, and traditional work boundaries are disappearing, creating
additional health risks to employees.
4. The technology revolution is on, creating health concerns of its own including repetitive
stress injuring, low back problems, and sedentary lifestyles.
5. Employee stress levels are increasing. According to a recent national poll, 78% of
Americans describe their jobs as stressful.
6. Increasing diversity in the workforce means businesses need to address a variety of health
concerns.
Source: Wellness Councils of America, www.welcoa.org
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8. 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/
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9. “The only exercise some people
get is jumping to conclusions,
running down their friends, side-
stepping responsibility, and
pushing their luck!”
– Author Unknown
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10. How do we implement a wellness program?
Gather information
Choose priorities
Develop and set clear goals and objectives
Be realistic
Evaluate and revise
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11. Choosing Priorities
Disease and Illness Prevention
Health Promotion Activities
Health Education
Organizational Norms Related to Healthy Behaviors
Environmental Health
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12. 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/
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13. 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
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14. 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
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15. 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
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16. Environmental Health
Workstation ergonomics
Safety and accident prevention
Environmental risks
Proper lifting technique demonstrations
Going “green”
Policies – tobacco free, staff health
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17. Wellness Break
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
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18. How do you develop a program that meets the
needs of all of your employees?
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19. 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?
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20. Stages of Change
Pre-contemplation – Consciousness raising
Contemplation – Emotional Arousal
Preparation – Commitment
Action – Contracts & Rewards
Maintenance – Countering
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21. 20

22. 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.
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23. 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!
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24. Online Resources and Ideas
Disease and Illness Prevention
Health Promotion Activities
Health Education
Organizational Norms Related to Healthy Behaviors
Environmental Health
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25. Healthfinder.gov –
Your Guide to Reliable Health Information
http://www.healthfinder.gov
Features:
Health news
Monthly health observances and resources
Online checkups
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26. MyPyramid Tracker
http://www.mypyramid.gov
Features:
MyPyramid plan & tracker
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Steps to a healthier weight
Sections for kids & professionals
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27. America on the Move:
Steps to a Healthier Way of Life
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
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28. Small Step Adult and Teen – Improving the
health and well-being of America
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
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29. Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina
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
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30. Eat Smart and Move More Posters…
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31. Earth 911: The Nation’s Premier
Environmental Resource
http://earth911.org/
Features:
Recycling Household Items
Electronics Going Green at Home
Air Quality Newsletters
State Specific Links Events & Activities
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32. Division of Occupational Health and Safety:
Ergonomics at Work Program
http://dohs.ors.od.nih.gov/ergonomics_home.htm
Features:
– Computers
– Ergonomic Chairs
– Stretches & Exercises
– A Healthy Back
– Online Resources
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33. Questions & Comments
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