Jackson County's proACTIVE Wellness Initiative (pAWI) recently completed 10 weeks of health and wellness programs for more than 50 employees at D&S Manufacturing in Black River Falls.

This pilot worksite wellness program began in July with a goal of encouraging employees to adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles. The pAWI provided health education and guidance to employees on a weekly basis, with motivational speakers and incentives to encourage participation.

Employees who volunteered for this program were randomly selected and received comprehensive blood tests that determined their cholesterol, blood glucose, and liver function, along with measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, pulse, weight and body composition.

Black River Memorial Hospital's nursing staff, medical consultants and pAWI staff confidentially reviewed results with individual participants to help determine their health status and develop a comprehensive wellness plan. Participants then attended weekly wellness programs at D&S with area presenters on a variety of topics.

Topics and presenters included: Nutrition: Reading Labels and Understanding Portions, Mitch Holliday, M.S., R.D., nutrition services director, Ho-Chunk Nation Health Care Center; Lifestyle Changes and Weight Loss, Blanche Thoreson, Weight Watchers; Great Grilling the Low-Fat Way, John Lindner, restaurant owner and caterer; Exercise and You and Cardio verses Strength Training, Becky Windsor, PTA, Black River Memorial Hospital's Rehabilitation Department; Hazards of Tobacco: Quitting for Life, Jackie Ellingson, RCP, manager, Black River Memorial Hospital's Respiratory Care Department; Managing Stress, Kay Brauner, M.S.W., consultant; Dealing with Depression, Don Thomas-Kremmer, MS, LCSW, CEAP, Employee Assistance Program, Gundersen Lutheran; and Wellness for Every Day, Becky Windsor, PTA and Liz Lund, manager, Black River Memorial Hospital's Business Development Department.

Weekly one-on-one sessions with pAWI's worksite wellness coordinator, Patty Nelson, were also available to participants to help "coach" and support lifestyle changes and challenges.

The human resources director at D&S, Sherrie Hein, commented that with the constantly rising costs of health care and health insurance premiums, "we looked at this program as a way to increase our employee's awareness of healthy eating habits and the importance of physical exercise in order to avoid future health concerns." She also said that participants thought the programming was informative and gave them the inspiration needed to take better care of their health. "Healthier employees mean lower healthcare costs for D&S and less work absences," she said.

Participant Charlene Johnson said, "The proACTIVE Wellness Initiative provided us with a way to put all the pieces of the wellness puzzle together. Home and family, together with healthy lifestyle choices, all need to fit together to be well-balanced."

In January, follow-up surveys, blood tests and physical measurements will determine how much improvement D&S participants have made in their quest for a healthier lifestyle. Coaching continues to be offered to help participants meet their goals. In addition, weight loss and exercise challenges have been offered to motivate D&S participants and help them stay on track.

Participant Emilio Juarez said, "All the classes were interesting to attend. I have a better understanding now how to help myself become healthier and get the coaching help when I need it. I feel better about myself and living." Another participant Tommy Taylor commented that the programs "helped me a lot. I lost 25 pounds."

The proACTIVE Wellness Initiative recently started the pilot program with employees working for the Black River Falls School District. In addition, employees at Hart Tie & Lumber have completed the wellness surveys and health risk assessment, including the lab testing; however, no programs or coaching are being implemented so comparisons can be made on the impact of educational intervention and individual counseling.

"Our first worksite wellness program was very successful," said Liz Lund, pAWI program director. "The participants are helping us build a better program and we are helping them build healthier lifestyles. It was great to see participants parking farther away from their entrance, exercising more, giving up some empty calories and having successful results. I'm extremely pleased with all the participants and partners in this project. Everyone genuinely cares about making a difference in the wellness of our community."

The pAWI is a grant-funded initiative and includes representatives from Jackson County Public Health, Black River Memorial Hospital, Ho-Chunk Department of Health, Black River Falls School District and D&S Manufacturing, and they, along with a wellness consultant and outreach health risk assessment agency, have worked together to develop and implement wellness programs on work time. Their shared goal is to encourage early detection and routine physicals, modify poor nutrition and fitness habits, reduce the incidence of preventable lifestyle-related chronic problems, and continue to build successful wellness programs.