Health Matters Idaho State Employee Wellness

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Health MattersIdaho State Employee Wellness
Why Wellness Why Now?

• Division of Professional-Technical Education
• Jody Zauha

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Health Matters

• The irony . . .

At a time when employers want people who are
healthier, thinner, faster, younger, and less
stressed, the general population is becoming less
healthy, fatter, slower, older, and more stressed!
Corporate Health Well-being Management
Compendium, Vie Life
Idaho State Employee Wellness
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Health Matters
Wellness is caring for the whole person -
physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.
Its about being productive, feeling good
physically and emotionally, and interacting in a
positive way with people and the environment.
Idaho State Employee Wellness
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Health Matters

• Todays workplace is impacted by
• A larger number of younger workers with sedentary
  lifestyles and fast food habits potentially
  resulting in increased use of health services at
  an earlier age
• The Baby Boomers coming of age, experiencing more
  health needs and increasing use of health care
  services

Idaho State Employee Wellness
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• The Graying of America people are living
  longer, utilizing more health care
• Workplace stress, a contributing factor/cause of
  many life illnesses, is at its highest level in
  the workplace
• Hospital and pharmaceutical costs are rising
• The Obesity Epidemic, resulting from poor
  nutrition and inactivity, is at a national all
  time high

Idaho State Employee Wellness
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Health Matters

• Why wellness why now?

Because good health is our most valuable
possession and healthy employees are an important
key to a productive and cost effective workplace.
Idaho State Employee Wellness
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Health Matters

• The productive workplace

Is an environment where there is sustained or
improved mental concentration, physical and
mental stamina, positive problem solving,
appropriate reaction time, and memory. A
productive workplace results in greater
alertness, better relations with co-workers,
lower stress, and more enjoyment of work.
Idaho State Employee Wellness
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Health Matters

• The cost effective workplace means
• Better service to Idahos citizens
• A more efficient state budget

Preventable illnesses (heart disease, stroke,
cancer, diabetes, lung disease, and others) make
up 70 of illness costs in the United States.
Reducing just one health risk increases
productivity by 9 and decreases absenteeism by
2. Physically active people save 500 a year in
healthcare costs.
Idaho State Employee Wellness
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Health Matters

• Benefits of workplace wellness
• For the employee
• Higher job satisfaction, increased ability to
  cope with stress, improved health and well being,
  increased productivity and effectiveness at work.
  
• For the organization
• Reduced absenteeism, injuries, and turnover,
  disability compensation, health care costs, and
  life insurance costs.
• For the State of Idaho
• More productive and efficient employees result in
  better service to Idahos citizens. Healthy
  employees have a positive impact on the health of
  their communities and the state.

Idaho State Employee Wellness
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Health Matters
Time for a paradigm shift?
Shift thinking fromGood health is out of my
control
Shift to
I can make choices
Shift thinking fromInsurance is an entitlement
Shift to
conscientious consumerism
Idaho State Employee Wellness
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Health Matters
Creating a healthy work environment means . . .

• Empowering employees with information
• Encouraging and supporting healthy behaviors
• Creating local provider partnerships networks
• Knowing your areas of risk

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Health Matters

• Workplace wellness tools
• Health Matters Website, State of Idaho
• State Employee Health Wellness Program
• Health Matters email box
• Well Connected Website, Blue Cross of Idaho

Idaho State Employee Wellness
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• Resources/networks with local hospitals,
  speakers, clinics
• Your agencys wellness point person to keep
  wellness visible, communicate information,
  connect people with existing resources, and
  coordinate with any statewide efforts

Idaho State Employee Wellness
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Health Matters
The Good News

• Knowledge and information work!
• Many lifestyle illnesses are preventable and
  correctable!
• State of Idaho employees want to get involved!
• Existing resources can be used at a minimal cost
  to your agency!
• Wellness is a win-win!

Idaho State Employee Wellness
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Want to get started? Email healthmatters_at_pte.id
aho.gov