Businesses and non-profits gather with health and wellness experts
DETROIT - Health Alliance Plan (HAP) today brought together more than 150 corporate and community leaders at the 2015 HAP Corporate & Community Wellness Forum to collaborate on effective strategies to create healthier communities in Michigan, where health problems are faced by a significant number of the population. For example, 30.7 percent of Michigan adults are obese, and nearly one in 10 has diabetes, according to a 2015 State of Obesity issue report
"HAP values the impact a wellness focus can have on an entire community and the change that can be experienced by bringing together business, community and health leaders to share ideas to make wellness programs more successful," said Tom Spring, director, HAP Wellness & Community Outreach. "Encouraging and helping individuals to reach their health goals gives them a greater ability to manage their overall health while ultimately giving them more control over health care expenses."
Business organizations and leading southeast Michigan health and human services agencies came together with HAP representatives to discuss how to manage the benefits, goals and measurement of long-term workplace wellness programs, and the unique challenges communities face when first implementing healthy practices. Henry Ford Health System president and CEO Wright Lassiter III opened the event with a keynote that focused on promoting health in communities and workplaces while having a greater, more sustaining impact on overall health.
Henry Ford Health System and HAP also announced during the event they would be partnering with the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) and the City of Detroit's Department of Transportation (DDOT) on the city's first public bike share program which is expected to launch in 2016.
"Wellness behavior change can be attributed to increased awareness, finding ways to motivate individuals, teaching the necessary skills and creating opportunity," said speaker Dr. Michael O'Donnell, PhD, MBA, MPH, president and editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Health Promotion. "If anything, it's about enhancing opportunities both in the workplace and our communities."
Panelists represented at the forum included Henry Ford Health System, Oakland County Department of Human Services, Come Play Detroit, Neighborhood Services Organization, HAVEN, Michigan Wellness Council, Community Health and Social Services Center (CHASS) and the Michigan Fitness Foundation.
Panelists represented at the forum included Henry Ford Health System, Oakland County Department of Human Services, Come Play Detroit, Neighborhood Services Organization, HAVEN, Michigan Wellness Council, Community Health and Social Services Center (CHASS) and the Michigan Fitness Foundation.
About Health Alliance Plan
Health Alliance Plan (HAP) is a Michigan-based health and wellness company that provides coverage to more than 680,000 members. For over 50 years, HAP has partnered with leading doctors, hospitals, employers and community organizations to enhance the health and well-being of the lives we touch. HAP offers a product portfolio with six distinct product lines: Group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid, self-funded and network leasing. HAP excels in delivering award-winning preventive services, disease management and wellness programs, as well as personalized customer service.
Media contacts:
Ebony Dooley, HAP
(248) 443-7847 office
edooley@hap.org
Katie Rebella
(313) 481-4737 office
krebella@mccicorp.com