June 07
 |
Greetings Southwest District!
Recently I sent out a leadership survey to a sampling of the District’s upper management, requesting feedback about my job performance. Overwhelmingly, the Hooked on Health campaign was mentioned as an example of valued leadership. As I read about how well received the campaign has been for both our staff and the community, I realized I had failed to share the data from our year-end survey. The results are in and I could not be more proud of what we have accomplished this first year. It surely exceeded my expectations. Of approximately 375 district employees, 213 completed the year-end survey. Of those:
- 119 reported a cumulative weight loss of 1,872 pounds
- 47 reported a cumulative loss of 397 inches
- 52 reported improved lipid profiles
- Four smokers quit and nine cut back
- 30% lowered their blood pressure
- 54 diabetics reported improved glucose control; half noting improvement in their HgbA1C (a long term measure of glucose control)
- 79% reported an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption
- Nearly half reported consistent use of wellness breaks
So, what do these results mean? For me, these results signify our commitment to the mission of our organization. They demonstrate that the Southwest Health District is not just talking the talk, but walking the walk. Change is difficult, yet these results show that we are willing to make the sacrifices to model the behaviors necessary to improve health outcomes for Southwest Georgia. It had to start with us, and the results proved that we have not only started, but we have sustained the effort for one year. We can now provide technical assistance to others, with the confidence that accompanies a sense of heightened credibility.
The results also mean success: the success of having done what we set out to do. Success breeds success. This accomplishment lets me know that if we put our heads together and our hearts in it, we can do anything that we put our minds to. I would like for all of us, as we enter these next days, months, and years with the fiscal challenges ahead, to reflect about how we have redefined ourselves with the success of our first wellness campaign. Those thoughts should encourage and give us the courage to face new challenges head-on.
And lastly, these results translate into money saved from decreased visits to providers and hospitals, and a reduction of cost for tobacco products and both prescription and non-prescription pharmaceuticals. But more importantly, the results translate into lives saved; lives that may have been prematurely lost due to the No. 1 killers of Southwest Georgians – chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (heart attack and stroke), cancer, diabetes mellitus, and chronic respiratory diseases. It may take a few years, but as we continue this wellness journey and inspire others to follow our lead, we will realize a decrease in Southwest Georgia’s overall mortality rate. Surely, that will be something we can all be proud of.
Jacqueline H. Grant, MD, MPH, MPA
