© 2006 Wellness Council of America Brought to you by The Wellness Councils of America Chapter 14 The Winds Of Change

2 © 2006 Wellness Council of America They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom. Confucius (551 BC–479 BC)

3 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Your Employer Is Changing  Many companies have discovered that the total cost of health care for their employees is directly related to the health of their employees.  Employers who actively help their employees stay healthy get better employees and save money.  A healthy employee is more productive and doesn’t require as much health care.  A healthy employee is happier and actually saves the company money.  A healthy employee is one who lives a healthy lifestyle.

4 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Worksite Health Promotion Programs  Ask about your company’s health promotion program.

5 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Your Insurance Is Changing  More and more insurance companies are “risk rating” their insurance. That means if you are obese or physically inactive, for example, you may have to pay more for insurance. Rates are lower for those who are living a healthy lifestyle.

6 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Schools Are Changing  Vending machines are being removed or filled with healthier foods.  Soda is no longer as available in schools. They may only offer fruit drinks, milk, or water.  Cafeterias are providing better foods.  Physical education is becoming a requirement as is recess.

7 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Times Are Changing…  Food labels now show trans fats.  Some restaurants are offering more healthy selections.  McDonald’s has a grape/walnut salad.  Fast food restaurants will eventually stop using trans fats.

8 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Science Is Changing  More science comes out every day.  We are learning more about many aspects of a healthy lifestyle.  This will continue.

9 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Best of All, You Are Changing  Individuals all across the U.S. are adopting healthy lifestyles.  Some worksites have employees who are much healthier than they used to be.

10 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Community Environments Are Changing  Streets that support walking and bicycling  Better designed roads  Trees, crosswalks, sidewalks, bikeways  Slower traffic that encourages walking

11 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Public Street Improvements and Infill Development COLFAX AVENUE, DENVER, COLORADO: Done in association with Space Analytics, LLC for Colfax on the Hill, Inc., funded in part by the Denver Foundation. 1 - Existing conditions

12 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Public Street Improvements and Infill Development 2 - Mixed-use buildings on one corner

13 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Public Street Improvements and Infill Development 3 - Public street improvements: street trees, street lamps, decorative traffic signals, sidewalk bulb outs

14 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Public Street Improvements and Infill Development 4 - Additional mixed-use development, remodeling of existing buildings

15 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Designing An Intersection for Pedestrian Safety Designing an intersection for pedestrian safety SYCAMORE AVENUE, HERCULES, CA 1 - Existing conditions

16 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Designing An Intersection for Pedestrian Safety 2 - lane widths reduced, sidewalks widened and extended, crosswalks added

17 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Designing An Intersection for Pedestrian Safety 3 - buildings located at sidewalks, landscape added

18 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Policy Changes –Medical coverage for preventive services –Absenteeism policy that supports being healthy –No smoking policies –Flex time –Time to be healthy –Free from overly demanding work

19 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Workplace Culture –Peer support –Supportive friends –Church, community support –Worksite health promotion programs

20 © 2006 Wellness Council of America You CAN Do It!

21 © 2006 Wellness Council of America The Culprit & The Cure  This book gives you the skills, ideas, and practical know-how to adopt healthy lifestyles and maintain them for life. 

22 © 2006 Wellness Council of America Points to Remember  Share this book with someone you really care about.  Enough points to remember! Get out there and get started!