Health & Wellness Topics

1. Health & Wellness Topics Myra Forrest

2. Reasons for Health & Wellness Programs • Health Care Costs • Most illnesses can be avoided • Employees’ stress levels are increasing • Aging Workforce

3. Health Care Costs • Average annual health care cost per American is $3,925. • Preventable illnesses make up 70% of health care costs • Preventable illnesses account for 8 of 9 leading causes of death.

4. BENEFITS Reduced medical claims Reduced absenteeism Worth Every Dollar You Spend

5. Reasons for Unscheduled Absences 2003 Source: 2003 CCH Unscheduled Absence Survey

6. Direct Benefits of Wellness Program • Improves Employee Health • Improves Productivity • Reduces Sick Leave • Reduces Use of Health Insurance • Reduces Workers Compensation

7. Indirect Benefits of Wellness Program • Improves Employee Morale • Increases Employee Job Satisfaction • Improves Corporate Image • Improves Benefit Package

8. 5 Levels of an Effective Wellness Program Behavior Change Activities 5. 4. Immunizations 3. Assessment & Screenings 2. Educational Activities 1. Awareness Activities

9. 2 Big Questions What’s it going to COST? What’s it going to SAVE?

10. Higher Costs Preventable health risks are associated with higher corporate health care costs including workers compensation costs.

11. High Risk Criteria • Tobacco Use • Physical Activity • Medication/Drug Use • Absences Due to Illness • Drinking Alcohol • Seat Belt Use • Life Satisfaction • Job Satisfaction • Stress Signs • Depression • Blood Pressure • Cholesterol • Fasting Glucose • Weight • User of cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco • No regular exercise program • Sometimes or frequently • 5 days or more • More than 21 drinks per week • Only occasionally • Not too happy, very unhappy • Dissatisfied, very dissatisfied • 3 or more stress signals • Feel depressed most of the time • 160/100 or greater • 240 mg/dl or greater • 115 mg/dl or higher • More than 20% Overweight (Obese)

12. Costs of High Risk Behavior • Unhealthy lifestyles (smoking, stress, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol/drug usage) contribute to approximately 70% of health care costs. • 1-pack/day smoker costs a company $1,902 more each year in medical costs than a non-smoker. • A person who drinks 3+ alcoholic drinks/day costs a company $814 more each year than someone who drinks 2 or less.

13. First Year Treatment Costs • Heart disease treatment can cost more than $30,000 in the first year. • Cancer - $29,000 • Stroke - $22,000 • Diabetes - $15,000 • Drug Abuse - $63,000 • Hip Fracture - $40,000

14. SAVINGS The prevalence of preventable health risk factors can be reduced through a comprehensive worksite health promotion program

15. Worksite Wellness • Most claim dollars are spent on high risk individuals • Goal - Keep employees healthy and don’t wait for problems before initiating wellness programs

16. Conclusion . . . • Employees with modifiable health risks incur higher health care expenditures. • Managing these modifiable risks provides opportunities to significantlyreduce health care costs and improvequality of life.

17. Steps to Reduce Risks and Reduce Costs • Determine prevalence of risk factors for your workforce. • Invite and encourage employees at risk to make lifestyle changes. • Provide opportunity and support for change.

18. The Aging Workforce • 30% of present workforce is 45 • Influx of older women into workforce • By 2015 – 40% or 50 million workers will be over the age of 60

19. Aging Process • Natural process • Changes in strength, size and stamina • Onset of diabetes, coronary artery, cancer, etc.

20. Impacts of Aging on the Body • Skin • Ears • Eyes • Respiratory • Cardiovascular • Musculoskeletal • Central Nervous System

21. Clinical Manifestations • Bone density • Weight gain • Skin shifts • Habits • Sleep patterns • Hearing • Smell • Temperature regulation

22. 5 Aging Changes • Balance • Flexibility • Attention, vision, and memory • Strength • Reaction time Age related changes can directly affect workplace safety

23. What is Stress ? • Events or situations that cause feelings of tension, pressure, or negative emotions such as anxiety and anger • Physiological changes – increased heart rate and muscle tension • Emotional and behavioral changes • Person’s interpretation and response to a threatening event

24. Impacts of Stress • Positive and Negative effects • Normal adaptive reaction to a threat • Performance on work tasks or deadlines • Effects on personal relationships • Physical threats

25. 3 Categories of Stressors • Catastrophes • Major Life Changes • Daily Hassles

26. Ways to Reduce Stress • Time management skills • Changes in lifestyle or how we look at things • Focus on good work habits and performance • Physical and health needs Unmanaged stress leads to reduced sleep, increased anxiety, weakened immune system, and reduction in job performance

27. “ If I exercise today, I will be able to… ”

28. What Can Exercise Do For Me ? • Prevent or delay some diseases and disabilities • Reduce stress and tension • Stimulates the mind • Weight maintenance or loss • Control appetite • Boosts self image

29. Improves muscle tone & strength • Improves flexibility • Lowers blood pressure • Relieves insomnia • Increases good HDL cholesterol • Quicker recovery after injury • Provides enjoyment and fun

30. Activities Improve Health & Ability • Walking/Jogging • Biking • Yoga • Aerobics • Weight lifting • Recreational sports – Golf, Volleyball • Outside activities such as gardening, home improvement projects

31. Four Types of Exercise • Endurance – Increase breathing & heart rate • Strength – Build muscles • Balance – Help prevent falls • Flexibility – Stretch muscles & tissues that hold your body’s structures in place

32. Rules for Stretching • Stretch Both Sides • Avoid Bouncing • Stretch Until you Feel Slight Tension, NOT PAIN or DISCOMFORT • Hold for a Minimum of 10 seconds • BE GENTLE • RELAX into the Stretch

33. Five Causes of Back Injuries • Posture • Body Mechanics / Work Habits • Stressful Living • Loss of Flexibility • Poor conditioning

34. Spinal Anatomy

35. Back Injuries and How To Prevent Them • Most back problems occur over a period of time. • Careful attention to lifting on the job and at home and regular exercise to maintain fitness, strength, and flexibility will help you maintain a healthy back. • Proper Lifting Techniques

36. Proper Planning Is Important • Do you need to lift the item manually? • How heavy is it? • Where are you moving the item from? • Where does it have to go? • What route do you have to follow?

37. Mechanical Aids • Dolly • Handtruck • Forklift • Assistance by another employee PUSH don’t Pull

38. Proper Lifting Techniques • Squat to lift and lower. Do not bend at the waist. • Keep your low back bowed in while bending over. • Keep the weight as close to you as possible. • Bow your back in and raise up with your head first. • If you must turn, turn with your feet, not your body. • Never jerk or twist! • Put the weight down by keeping your low back bowed in. • Keep you feet apart, staggered if possible. • Wear shoes with non-slip soles.

39. Risk Factors for Back Injury during Lifting • Lifting with your back bowed out. • Bending and reaching with your back bowed out. • Slouched sitting. • Twisting or jerking movements. • Lack of proper rest. • Obesity and poor nutrition. • Stressful work and living habits.

40. Lifting PostureWrong Way Right Way

41. Promotional Ideas • Newsletters • Smoking Cessation • Health & Wellness Fairs • Stress Management • Fitness club discounts • Blood drives • Health Screening