October 2006
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Greetings Southwest Health District!
A few weeks ago JK Barnett, Jackie Jenkins, Gail Dorner, and I provided a panel presentation on Hooked on Health at the Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) annual meeting. In an intimate setting, we provided the details of how we, as a district, achieved a cultural change that values health and wellness in our workplace. We went through the who, what, when, why, and how of the campaign and the audience was truly impressed and inspired. I was so excited and proud to be a part of something so awesome that I could not sleep that night. So I sat up, knowing that I would pay dearly on the long drive back from Augusta on all of those back roads, and began to write a letter to send to our county newspapers. On Wednesday September 27th, the letter appeared in the Albany Herald. The following excerpt is for those who were not able to read it in the paper:
On January 6, the Southwest Public Health District launched its 2006 wellness campaign, Hooked on Health. In keeping with the State’s Live Healthy Georgia campaign, Hooked on Health emphasizes proper nutrition, tobacco cessation, physical activity, stress reduction, and health screenings.
Prior to the campaign’s kick-off, we encouraged our families and 14 county district to join us in this endeavor. With three months left, I’d like to share our progress. Perhaps if you didn’t join us in 2006, this will motivate you to do so in 2007.
District employees participating in Hooked on Health had an option to register as individuals or as members of a team. To date, 340 of approximately 400 (85%) employees registered, of which 194 are members of 22 active teams. Data from team captains indicate the following as of September 1, 2006:
- 1,029 pounds lost
- 13 improved lipid profiles
- 21 hypertensive employees met blood pressure goals
- Four diabetics improved Hg A1C (a glucose control measure)
- One smoker quit
- 88% are still engaged
With only 58% of the participants reporting, the data, although quite impressive, only tell part of the success story. Additionally, the data are not indicative of the campaign’s external impact on civic groups, churches, and schools. Hooked on Health is not only changing lifestyles, it is saving lives. This is truly public health at its best! For more information log on www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org.
We all know that our campaign wasn’t perfect, and we have certainly learned some lessons along the way. However, as you can see from the most recent results - we did a lot of things right and many of our staff are reaping the benefits of improved health. We were so very proud to share it at GPHA. Thank you District 8-2 for making this campaign something that we can all boast about. Thank you Gail, JK, and Jackie for a job well done. Thank you Sherri Frazier for the wonderful power point slides, which included the campaign video. Thanks David Cooper for your feedback and encouragement during our rehearsal; and Tony Clark, thank you for the technical assistance and support that you provided on location. I wish you all could have been there, you would have been proud too and maybe even lost sleep about it.
Jacqueline H. Grant, MD, MPH, MPA
