ENHANCED WELLNESS PROGRAMS Greendale School District Erin Gauthier-Green Director of Business Services

Health care system in US is “disease care” NOT health care How to convince unions and Boards to do a lifestyle management/wellness program??

The US: home of the Whopper and Super Gulp Two out every three Americans are overweight

OBESITY Adds 20 years of aging comparable to chronic disease Adds 30 years in terms of quality of life 90% includes diabetes

10% of the population incurs 70% of the health care costs In the US the major drivers of cost are: Depression Hypertension (blood pressure) Diabetes Heart disease Asthma

Major drivers of disease Tobacco use Sedentary lifestyle Poor nutrition Stress

“Negotiating changes in health care benefits are not for the faint of heart”

Get past the entitlement mentality! Insurance committee- with union Statement of benefits and letters of state of the health insurance world Stress the partnership – we’re in this together!

Most staff have no idea what true benefits cost !! At Greendale SD, health insurance up 50% in 3 yrs Up 357% in ten years, from $306/mo to $1400/mo family plan South east Wisconsin has highest health costs in nation!

Labor smackdown will not be the best strategy to solve health care

TRY THESE: Educate them that up to 70% of disease is lifestyle- caused “Incent” staff into programs $3-$6 payback for every $1 invested in worksite wellness Consumer driven plans with more upfront cost (don’t cut out preventive care) Educate that programs will reduce sick leave, worker comp, disability AND add energy!

Most promising in addressing health costs today: Individual followup- disease or care management Health risk appraisals and screens Wellness communications Offer programs on site Weight loss offered on site with groups Offering incentives to those who DO IT

Don’t forget “mental health” ! Important to educators Drugs to regulate mood are in high use among educators, such as Prozac, Paxil, etc. Use EAP programs Offer speakers on mental health topics Much overeating is emotional based

Local manufacturer has a two hour mandatory session for all new staff that covers: Domestic violence Depression Alcoholism

Health risk assessments show Greendale’s major issues are: Weight Sedentary lifestyle Hypertension issues

GSD worksite wellness program RX: Health! Employee commits to: No tobacco use Exercise 3 x/week and log it with us Take on site blood/health screen for lipids, weight, blood pressure and health risk asses. Take age appropriate health screens Follow-up disease management for chronic diseases

Greendale’s program Teachers pay 12% of total health premium, or about $2000/year If they join Rx: Health! they get a 1% reduction, about $160/year savings 99% of teachers joined Average employee contribution in US is $4500/year

Rx: Health’s offerings Program adddresses mind/body/health connection with offerings on site and discounts negotiated with village (massage) Weight watchers on site Life issue sessions: caregiving, type 2 diabetes, depression, retirement, women/men’s health issues

Rx:Health! Fitness center open for staff and many park/rec offerings on site Ergonomic program and evaluations Pedometer’s available to staff for $10.50 On-site health screens for blood lipid, blood pressure, weight Negotiated discounts at local health clubs Food service dept is a PLAYER in health

District runs Park and Rec for Village of Greendale Added classes for staff at schools after hours Increased offerings

One year results= risk reduced ! 7% less sick leave used 690 pounds lost by staff (300 insureds) 99% of staff signed on to program with incentive of 1% ($160/yr)

Why the success? Program started collaboratively with union Stated goal is to give staff “permission” to take care of themselves-- TAKE TIME Easy access on site Cost has been $6000 for year one, including pedometers, health screens, speakers Involved school nurse, park/rec, phy ed, food service, worker comp coordinator

NEXT STEPS??? Convene a group in southeast Wisc and in Greendale community to partner with WEA and Aurora on maximizing our resources from these groups re WELLNESS!! Review baseline data from U. of Michigan from Health Risk Assessment to drive programming Look at hiring a (part time)nurse practioner to deal with on-going disease monitoring and education, and minor health issues