Screenings becoming more common
They have lowered triglycerides, more frequently monitored glucose and better blood pressure and body fat levels at the Lafarge North America plant in Davenport.
The employees at Lafarge are healthier because of an on-site wellness initiative through Genesis Occupational Health that screened employees for possible health problems, offered them support and information and tracked their progress.
It’s parlayed into a walking program and incentives for employees with health in mind.
“We wanted to help people get healthy and on the right track,” said Cindy Wulf, a Lafarge employee who helped with the effort. “It was convenient to have it right here.”
In the first year, for example, 66 people completed the program. Four people cut their triglycerides in half, 20 people reduced their blood pressure, 26 people improved their body fat percentage by at least one risk level, and four people were identified with high glucose.
Now in year four, participation continues to grow, with 55 people who completed the 2005 and 2006 screenings and 16 people who joined.
Genesis and Trinity health systems both offer programs to area employers which hope to help employees improve their health.
Genesis began its program in February 2003, with 21 organizations signed on thus far. Genesis began its own program more than four years ago and has “seen tremendous changes in the health and well-being of our employees,” said Amanda Hess, business development.
Companies with wellness initiatives are “getting at the source of the health care issue,” she said.
Colleen Borts, manager of corporate wellness for Trinity, said employers are “recognizing the importance of positive health initiatives as health claims are going through the roof.”
But it’s a big job, she said.
A key step to making change are employee health-risk assessments that analyze cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, blood pressure, weight and body composition.
“You have to know what you are up against,” she said. “It’s a really good baseline. Here is where you are at right now.”
Each person who signs up receives a report. The company also receives an aggregate report that does not show names but does show how many people have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and are pre-diabetic.
The screenings have discovered “train wrecks,” people with significant health problems who didn’t know it, Borts said.
Educational classes on nutrition and exercise, as well as specific health challenges, can be offered, as well as one-on-one sessions, Borts said. Employers eventually will see an increase in morale, job performance and decreased health care costs and absenteeism.
“I think employers very much want to do the right thing,” she said. “We’re slowly getting people to buy into it.”
Davenport-based Lee Enterprises, parent company of the Quad-City Times, provides both a wellness analysis and fitness program for its employees.
A variety of incentives are provided for participation, from iPODS to a flex-spending account allowance.
“It helps educate our people about being healthy,” said Vito Kuraitis, vice president of human resources for Lee. The wellness analyses provided meaningful information for employees, while the past “Walk Across Lee” and this year’s “Summer Fitness Challenge” gives employees a chance to boost their exercise, compete against each other and win some prizes.
“It’s a fun way to do it,” he said.
Ann McGlynn can be contacted at (563) 383-2336 or amcglynn@qctimes.com.