1. Exercise is the New Vital Sign Kaiser Permanente Policy Story Slides

2. The amount of exercise we get says something (and does something) about our health  Regular physical activity is one of the most important things that people can do for their health, according to the CDC.  Exercise: – Strengthens bones and muscles – Improves weight control – Reduces risk of disease (including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and some cancers) – Improves mental health and mood – Prevents falls in older adults – Can increase life expectancy 2| © 2014 Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.May 26, 2016

3. 3| © 2014 Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. For internal use only.May 26, 2016 Exercise as a Vital Sign (EVS)  In 2009, Kaiser Permanente began asking patients: – “How many days a week do you engage in moderate to strenuous exercise (like a brisk walk)?” and – “On average, how many minutes per day do you exercise at this level?”  This was part of the Exercise is Medicine initiative coordinated by the AMA and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), which encourages providers to prescribe exercise to their patients. Monitoring, measuring, and improving activity levels

4. Key Accomplishments  EVS has become a basis for a ongoing conversations about patients’ exercise habits.  These conversations provide encouragement, and can result in referrals to activities such as Zumba classes, yoga, hiking clubs, or other community resources.  A 2013 study found that asking patients about their exercise habits was associated with modest weight loss in overweight patients and some improved glucose control among diabetics.  Kaiser Permanente was honored with a 2013 eValue8 Innovations Award for the EVS program. eValue8 was created by business coalitions and large employers to measure and evaluate health plan performance. 4| © 2014 Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.May 26, 2016

5. For further information, contact Ben Wheatley at benjamin.p.wheatley@kp.org. To read the full story visit: kpihp.org/kaiser-permanente-policy-stories-v3-no-5-exercise-as-a-vital- sign To learn more about Exercise is Medicine, visit: http://exerciseismedicine.org/physicians.htm