"I don't have the money." "I don't have the time." Sound familiar? People wear out excuses like these over and over again while trying to avoid going to the doctor for a check-up, even though simple health checks can, potentially, save a life. Thanks to CommHealth, a service of White River Health System, people will have no more excuses. CommHealth conducts Worksite Wellness events, bringing screenings to you, the employee, at little or no cost. These screenings do not replace a check-up with your family physician, but they can help employees better understand their personal health risks and prepare to take the necessary steps to improve their health. Employers benefit from CommHealth by reduced healthcare expenditures, improved productivity, and greater employee satisfaction.
CommHealth has conducted, on average, 650 screenings each year since its start in 2005.
CommHealth Wellness Coordinator, Ronald Richardson, warns, "A moment on the lips is a lifetime on the hips. Decisions we make today can affect us years down the road." Worksite Wellness events help employees maximize and gain knowledge of their health and wellness. Richardson and his team go to participating worksites and test employees. The tests only take about 20 minutes per participant. They check blood oxygen, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index, body fat percentage and blood glucose levels. After testing, the CommHealth team takes the test results, along with the Health Risk Assessment (a health survey filled out by employees), and creates a personal report for each individual. They use the personal report to educate the individuals, one-on-one, about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Educators also recommend lifestyle changes individuals can make to reduce their risk of chronic diseases. All participants are encouraged to develop an ongoing relationship with a personal physician and those with abnormal results are encouraged to see their physician for follow-up care.
Educating participants on how to make healthier changes makes CommHealth a unique program. "Education has always been the most important factor," says Angela Dugger, Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement and developer of CommHealth. "What good are the tests without educating people on how to change? We need to provide people with the information they need to change their results."
"CommHealth is not a quick fix, but a step in the right direction," says Richardson.
Bill Bass, 33, a busy husband and father, avoided the doctor as much as possible. Although his father died at the young age of 38 from a heart attack, Bass took little action in trying to prevent the same outcome for his life. Amber, Bass' wife, became very concerned about her husband and begged him to get a check-up. But, according to her, "He just decided he was okay."
In 2007, Bass attended a CommHealth Wellness Event at his worksite, LaCroix Optical. The news he received was very disturbing--his total cholesterol was 291 (less than 200 is considered normal) and his triglycerides, which is a measure of fat in the bloodstream that can lead to fatty buildup in the arteries, were 650 (normal is less than 150).
"It definitely opened my eyes," admits Bass. Soon after, Bass went to the doctor and got the medication he needed to help maintain healthy cholesterol and triglycerides. He didn't stop there. Bass attends the yearly CommHealth events held at LaCroix Optical, (as well as going to the doctor once a year). "It's been a real help," he says. "It keeps me in check every year."
LaCroix Optical has participated in the program since it began and it has helped to change, not only the health habits of their employees, but the business as well. Karen Palmer, Human Resource Manager, says, "CommHealth has made us aware of wellness. We started providing a healthy snack option instead of just donuts and cookies." As a matter of fact, many participating business, such as Citizens Bank and Concord Specialty Corporation, have reported major changes in promoting wellness.
Batesville Mayor, Rick Elumbaugh, knows personally how important it is to promote wellness. In 2009, Elumbaugh, a health advocate, was surprisingly struck with a heart attack. "I was a really healthy individual who had a heart attack. I neglected the signs of high cholesterol," says Elumbaugh. After this incident, Elumbaugh was inspired to promote a healthier community. Elumbaugh entrusted CommHealth to conduct a Health Wellness Day for all city employees. "Being healthy," says Elumbaugh "is very crucial and very important."
CommHealth assists businesses with any concerns they may have about space, time, or number of employees. To set up a screening at your business call Ronald Richardson at (870) 262-1834 or email rrichardson@wrmc.com.
Posted: February, 26 2010