Holmes Employee Survey Notes Areas of Health Concerns
By KATY GANZ
By KATY GANZ
Staff Writer
MILLERSBURG — The results for the county’s employee health screenings — part of the county’s wellness plan — identify blood pressure, exercise and cholesterol as areas of concern.
In March, nurses and representatives from Pomerene Hospital took blood pressure readings, blood samples and questionnaire answers from employees as part of the risk assessment.
The county paid $1 million for health insurance in 2006, $1.5 million for 2007 and will pay about $2 million in 2008.
The wellness program was instituted as a way to lower health care premiums through early detection and overall improved employee health.
The program’s estimated cost was $7,940 for 100 percent of the county’s 187 employees to participate.
About 30 percent of the employees participated — 28 men and 51 women, said Connie Poulton, hospital vice president of human resources and support services.
The top preventable causes of death among employees screened were heart attacks and strokes.
Participants scored below the United States average for cigarette smoking and seat belt use. Employees were far below the national risk average for alcohol consumption at 10 percent, compared with the national average of 73 percent.
But, on risk factors such as blood pressure and weight, participants came up above the national average. Focus areas mentioned in the hospital’s report included exercise and cholesterol.
The next step would include programming that will address risk factors.
The county held smoking cessation programs in February and May. The programs were provided by the Holmes County Health Department. As a result, one employee has quit smoking and two others have significantly reduced tobacco use, said County Human Resources Director Brenda Ramsier.
About 47 percent of employees participated in an interest survey asking what health programs would be the most valuable. Stress management and a walking program topped the list.
A follow-up coaching session will be offered later this month to address the areas of improvement, including exercise and blood pressure.
“They are in the beginning stages of the wellness plan and it is a voluntary program,” Poulton said.
The program is about making employees more aware of areas of concern.
“… Possibly next year, we will be able to increase participation and maybe even what they offer,” Ramsier said. “I think the longer it goes, the more participation we get. And that’s the goal, to get people educated and informed.”
Reporter Katy Ganz can be reached at 330-674-1811 or e-mail kganz@the-daily-record.com.
Originally published by By KATY GANZ Staff Writer.
(c) 2008 Daily Record, The Wooster, OH. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.