A Message from the HAP Wellness Team

This time of year presents unique challenges to everyone. But this year with the economy in decline and unemployment numbers rising it may be hard to find that joyful spirit. Alcohol and caffeine -- two drugs very popular this time of year -- can exacerbate those stressful and anxious feelings. There are healthy ways to relieve that tension. Short walks, slow, deep breathing and finding solitude are just a few. For a list of seven ways to calm down, go to beliefnet.com. This Web site is a multi-cultural site where one can find coping mechanisms to suit any belief systems.

The Worksite Wellness team wishes each and every one of you a safe and happy holiday season and a healthy and prosperous 2009.

For more tips on how to have more joy than stress this year, see our Holiday flyer.

Don't forget to print the Wellness by the Month flyers for your employees. These flyers offer great health information by the month and can be posted in the lunchroom or any other community area.

Tools for a Successful Wellness Program: Planning Your 2009 Wellness Program

Employers' expectations of worksite wellness programs are on the rise. They want to see a reduction in the prevalence of health risks and health care costs, and increased employee productivity. As employer expectations increase, it becomes more important that your program be carefully planned, designed, and implemented. With 2009 just around the corner, below are tips for creating a successful wellness plan.

1. Capture/sustain senior level support: Senior and mid-level manager support is essential to your success. They provide valuable resources such as money, equipment, and visibility. New programs need to be supported by all possible stakeholders (CEO, Benefits Manager, Labor Relations, EAP, Facilities, Communications, Training, Food Services, Strategic Planning, etc.),
2. Use your wellness team: If you're creating a new program, create a team made up of the stakeholders listed above. This team may evolve from a "design" team to an "advisory" team once your program is up and running. Use feedback and ideas from your team to create your 2009 plan.
3. Conduct research: Gather information about your population, other organizations' activities, and what's new in the wellness field. Evaluate last year's goals and objectives, participation levels, participant responses, and behavior patterns. Use the data collected from your research and evaluation to identify the changing needs of your population.
4. Create clear goals and measurable objectives: Base these off of your research findings and link them to your company's strategic priorities.
5. Select your interventions: There are two paths -- activity-centered or results-oriented. The majority of wellness programs are activity-centered, these programs make "activities" the central focus of their initiative, such as a "program of the month." For example, February might include "heart smart" activities because it is American Heart Month (National Calendar of Health Observances). For additional activity-centered ideas, refer to 101 Ways to Wellness. Results-oriented programs are more challenging to implement and focus on creating measurable results that impact the organization's bottom line through improved health and increased productivity. The HAP Managing High Blood Pressure program and HAP Weight Wise at Work program are examples of programs that can help contribute to your results-oriented programs, both of which attain measurable results.
6. Identify outcome measures: these should include things like participation, participant satisfaction, changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, and ultimately changes in environment and culture. These measures should link back to your goals and objectives.

A well thought out plan will build credibility and foster senior level support. If you'd like assistance in creating your 2009 plan, please contact the HAP Wellness Team at livewell@hap.org.

Health Topic of the Month - Alcohol and Caffeine

This month we are focusing on alcohol and caffeine -- two drugs that are very popular during the holidays.

ALCOHOL

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Division of Workplace Programs, an estimated 500 million workdays are lost annually due to alcoholism. Employees who use drugs are 2.2 times more likely to request early dismissal or time off, 2.5 times more likely to have absences of eight days or more, and 3 times more likely to be late for work. Up to 40 percent of industrial fatalities and 47 percent of industrial injuries can be linked to alcohol use and alcoholism.

Problems related to alcohol and drug abuse cost American businesses roughly $81 billion in lost productivity in just one year. And studies have shown that substance-abusing employees function at about 67 percent of their capacity. (drugfreeworkplace.com)

Employees who use drugs cost their employers about twice as much in medical claims as do non-drug using employees. (drugabuse.gov)

A drug-free workplace program can decrease the impact of substance abuse. To be successful, the program should include a written policy; employee education; supervisor training; access to assistance and drug testing. A good drug-free workplace program can lead to decreases in absenteeism, accidents, and downtime, turnover and workers' compensation costs. It can also lead to increases in productivity, profits, customer satisfaction, health status, and employee morale.

For more information on drug-free workplace programs, visit drugabuse.gov.

Don't let an alcohol-related incident ruin your holidays. Drink responsibly and use a designated driver. For more information on alcohol use, refer to our Wellness by the Month flyer.

CAFFEINE

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in the leaves, fruits and seeds of many plants. It is considered to be a stimulant with slightly addictive properties, the effects of which begin to reach all tissues of the body within five minutes and peak within 30 minutes lasting up to eight hours.

Based on numerous studies, caffeine poses no significant health risks. Researchers have found that people who consume a lot of coffee tend to also smoke cigarettes, eat high fat meals and get too little exercise. More than 170 million people in the United States consume caffeine and with today's booming market of caffeinated beverages and food products, it is not hard to get your daily "jolt".

For more information on caffeine consumption and content, refer to our Wellness by the Month flyer on Caffeine.

HAP Featured Programs

This month we are promoting the following programs:

Workshops
These free workshops can be 30-60 minutes long and scheduled during lunch hours. This month we are promoting speakers on Stress Management. A minimum participation of 25 preferred.

iStrive
We would like to encourage those HAP members who have not completed the iStrive HRA to do so. As we face a new year, it is a great time to take stock of your health and work towards a healthier lifestyle.

Based on your answers to the questions on the Health Risk Assessment (HRA), you will receive a general summary of your health. Once completed, the HRA is a gateway to seven different health programs, including one on stress management called iStrive Relax. These on-line programs are full of information, are easy to use and best of all can be done at your leisure in the privacy of your home. iStrive programs are accessible at www.hap.org.

To schedule a service or to request more information please contact us at livewell@hap.org.

Due to the high level of activity during flu shot season, (October, November and December), our resources are fully deployed. It will be very difficult to schedule or change dates for events without 30 days notice. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

The State of Michigan's legal blood alcohol level content (BAC) is 0.08. (mg. of alcohol per 100 ml. of blood)

A standard drink is considered 5 oz. wine, 1 1/2 oz. of 80 proof distilled spirits, or a 12 oz. bottle or can of regular beer.

On average, the body needs one hour to process and eliminate one drink.

The level of tolerance to alcohol consumption is affected by body mass, height, weight and sex.

Please visit hap.org for our Wellness by the Month flyers to share with your employees.

Start Planning Now!

January is noted for Thyroid Awareness Month. We will be writing an article on how this tiny gland can cause havoc with your health. We will also be promoting workshops dedicated to Weight Management and Healthy Eating.

To schedule a speaker, health fair or wellness workshop on any of our topics, please contact us at livewell@hap.org.

Flu Shot Clinics

Reminder: Flu season is here. Have you scheduled a clinic at your site?

HAP's Health Promotion team can help you coordinate a flu shot clinic at your business site. Flu shots are offered from November 1 through January 31 and are offered at no charge to HAP HMO and Alliance Health and Life Insurance (AHL) members, providing the flu shots are received from one of our approved vendors. Payment for non-HAP employees must be arranged by you (the employer group) and the flu shot vendor. The cost of the vaccine for non-HAP employees is $25.00-$30.00. The CDC has announced that the National Influenza Vaccination Week will be December 8 through December 14, 2008. Contact us at livewell@hap.org to schedule your date today or visit findaflushot.com for the flu shot clinic nearest you.

Mark Your Calendars

The January Worksite Wellness Forum is scheduled for January 22, 2009, from 9 to 11 a.m. Look for a formal invitation and agenda in the mail.