A Message from the HAP Wellness Team

Mark your calendars for the September Worksite Wellness Forum on Thursday September 25, from 9 am - 11 am. We have an exciting agenda for the fall meeting when we will hear from the Greater Detroit Area Health Council on their Save Lives, Save Dollars program and from Lawrence Technological University on their innovative wellness programs. Richard Paul, ventriloquist, and his partner, Peking Duck will provide us with a demonstration of their "Being Ducky" workshop.

New Program - Weight Wise at Work
HAP's Wellness Team is very proud to present a new FREE program called Weight Wise at Work.

The HAP Weight Wise at Work program will teach your employees how to define and adopt a healthy lifestyle with just eight simple D-I-E-T- F-R-E-E habits, There are three different ways to bring this great program to your workplace from a single to a multi-session program. Each participant receives a comprehensive workbook designed to guide them through each of the healthy habits.

August is also recognized as Immunization Month.
With school starting soon take this opportunity to make sure the whole family is up to date with their immunizations. Refer to the Immunization Charts on our Wellness by the Month page. Visit cdc.gov for more information on immunizations and to take a "Quiz" which will help you understand what vaccines you might need.

Tools for a Successful Wellness Program: WELCOA: Who are they?

If you've read previous articles in our e-newsletter you may have noticed we reference resources from WELCOA in many of the articles. WELCOA, the Wellness Councils of America, has a wealth of worksite wellness information. They are a national resource for employers to turn to for building and sustaining results-oriented worksite wellness programs.

WELCOA produces leading-edge worksite wellness publications and creates resources that promote healthier lifestyles for all working Americans. WELCOA offers:

• The seven benchmarks of success; the seven basic steps driving the process of building a "Well Workplace."
• Expert interviews, case studies, surveys, presentations, and other publications designed to help you understand some of the key issues involved in worksite health promotion programming.
• Access to the National Health Observances calendar.
• A weekly e-newsletter.
• The Well Workplace Awards initiative. Since 1991, more than 600 corporations have met the criteria and been recognized as some of "America's Healthiest Companies." You can find out what America's healthiest companies are doing.

WELCOA is one site worth book marking!

Health Topic of the Month - Skin Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than one million skin cancers are diagnosed annually. In fact, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.

The best way to lower your risk of skin cancer is to avoid the sun - especially between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. If this is not possible wear protective clothing, put on a wide-brimmed hat and lather on the sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Plain white cotton T-shirts only provide an SPF of about 6 and less than 6 if it is wet.
The sun's ultraviolet rays pass through car windows so your hands and arms are at risk of receiving sun damaging UV rays while driving during peak sun hours (10 am - 4 pm).

For more information on skin cancer visit skincancer.org and take a sun safety quiz at cancer.org.

HAP Featured Programs

This month we are promoting the following programs:

Dermascan Screenings
We are offering screenings with a dermascan machine. One simply looks into the dermascan which uses black lighting to evaluate facial skin damage or "areas of concern."

Speaker on Sun Safety
Skin cancer is on the rise. Invite one of our professional speakers to discuss the best ways to protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays. Learn the A, B, C, and D signs of melanoma in moles. Skin cancer is the easiest cancer to cure if it is caught early.

To schedule any of the above services, or to request more information please contact us at livewell@hap.org.

Every year in the United States, 5-20 percent of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some bacteria and viruses can live two hours or longer on hard surfaces like countertops, cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desks.

Test your knowledge about the flu by visiting flufacts.com.

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

Start Planning Now!

September is recognized for Healthy Aging, Prostate Health and Nutrition.

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

Flu Shot Clinics
Flu season is around the corner and it's time to think about planning your on-site flu shot clinic. Contact us for help in setting up your clinic.

Mark Your Calendars

The September Worksite Wellness Forum is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2008 from 9 am to 11 am. Look for a formal invitation and agenda in the mail.

Weight Watchers
Promotional Event
HAP invites you to the 9th Annual Remarkable Women Luncheon (Fundraiser). Reserve your seat or buy a table for deserving staff! Florine will host keynote speaker Jackie Kallen and a panel of Detroit media celebrities! To learn more, visit florineonline.com. To register today, go to Remarkable Woman Secure Registration. Current Weight Watcher members price is $55.00, Individual $60.00 or $600.00 table of 10. This is a non-profit event, proceeds benefit three deserving charities!