Home News Network Network: May 2009 Features Mission: Health

Mission: Health

Program Improves Employees' Attitudes about Health & Wellness

Beth Miller

Last year when Sentara implemented its health and wellness program, "Mission: Health," Beth Miller wasn’t at all too happy about it.

“I didn’t like the idea of big brother watching over me,” comments Miller. But after completing a Personal Health Profile (PHP) and being assigned a health coach, she changed her mind. “My health coach, Maria Curtis is terrific. She encourages me and if I start sliding, she helps to get me back on track.”

When Miller’s PHP identified she had high cholesterol, she was concerned. Since working with her health coach, as well as a change in diet, and an increase in exercise, Miller has lowered her cholesterol rating from 287 to 238—that’s 39 points! She’s even joined Weight Watchers at Work and has lost 10 pounds.

But most importantly, Miller has changed the way she approaches food. She used to compare her cooking style to Southern chef Paula Deen. But today, she has reduced her intake of foods high in fat, in exchange for foods high in protein and fiber.

Health and Wellness Programs Promote Healthy Living
Optima Health offers more than 30 different health and wellness programs, tools and services designed to assist Sentara employees in reducing health risks and managing disease. Healthier employees decrease the likelihood that they need health care services, which in turn reduces overall health care costs for employers and employees.

Optima Health Coach Maria Curtis

The health coach is at the center of Optima’s health and wellness continuum. “Optima has just three coaches whose role is to work with employees who have been identified with two or more health risk factors, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. It’s our role to serve as the liaison between the wellness programs and the employee,” comments Maria Curtis, health coach for Optima.

Mission: Health was put in place based on low levels of participation in wellness programs by Sentara employees in 2007. Last year, Optima Health packaged and piloted wellness and disease management programs to increase employee participation. Employees were incented to participate in these programs by offering a reduction in health insurance premiums and discounts on programs. Participation results from 2008 show significant increases due to the new program design.

“As a health system, Sentara Healthcare wanted to lead by example. By creating health improvement opportunities within our own organization and helping our employees improve their health and well being, we changed our culture," said Terrina Thomas, director of Health and Preventive Services at Optima Health.

Employees may learn more about Mission: Health in WaveNet.

Healthy Edge Walkabout Program pedometer
Employees Take Steps to Get Healthier
In 2007, only 732 Sentara employees participated in the walking wellness program, WalkAbout with Healthy Edge, designed to increase monitored walking in an effort to lose weight and improve health. In 2008, after the start of the Mission: Health initiative, that figure jumped to 3,601. Another program, Eating for Life, a DVD and workbook program for adults to learn about healthy eating and exercise, saw an increase from 196 participants in 2007 to 1,259 in 2008. That’s five times more employees walking and six times more employees eating healthier.

“We are thrilled with last year’s participation rates because it demonstrates that our employees are taking charge of their own health,” comments Thomas.

The majority of health care spending in the past 15 years is due to a population with specific risk factors—obesity, smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise and stress. Healthy employees are more productive and less costly than their counterparts who suffer from unhealthy lifestyles, chronic disease, and frequent absence and disability. Employees who are managing their chronic conditions, involved in health and wellness programs and/or are knowledgeable about health care issues reduce employer health care benefit program costs and improve workforce productivity.

“I have a totally different outlook on the Mission: Health program than I did a year ago. Now, I look forward to talking to my health coach. I feel really good. I have a much better outlook on my health than I did a year ago. I truly owe it all to my health coach,” states Miller.