Good Health is Good Business

Do Corporate Events/Races Have an Impact on Communities? Jeff Galloway Explains.

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:40:52 +0000

The Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk & Fitness Program, www.kpcorporaterunwalk.com, is a unique workplace-organized fitness program that began in 1983 in Atlanta with 900 participants from a handful of companies. Designed to inspire fun, fitness and camaraderie among Atlanta’s corporate community, the event has grown into one of the largest workplace organized corporate fitness events in the Southeast.

Jeff Galloway, race director, is no stranger to the local and international running scenes. His efforts and experiences as Olympian, author, lecturer, race director, consultant, and running store owner has greatly impacted the health & fitness of all who have been touched by his accomplishments.

We discussed with Jeff the goals, and impact that this event has on the metro-Atlanta community; as well as how companies can still benefit from this year’s KP Corporate Run/Walk event. To hear all of Jeff’s engaging and insightful interview, click on this link: Good Health 09072010 Interview.MP3

Balanced Choices for a Healthy Lifestyle! Deanne Brandstetter Explains.

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:42:58 +0000

Workplaces often project mixed messages when it comes to supporting a healthy lifestyle. The most likely areas are the cafeteria and vending machines. Many times, the food selections encourage poor eating habits rather than promote good nutrition.

Deanne Brandstetter, VP of Nutrition and Wellness with the Compass Group, joined the show to highlight how good nutrition and healthy choices can be promoted and fostered in the workplace. The Compass Group, (www.cgnad.com), a leading foodservice provider, has created Balanced Choices – that focuses on moderation, variety, and on providing education to help customers make wise food choices.

Ms. Brandstetter, M.B.A. and R.D., identified several unique and creative initiatives that have been successful with their partners’ nutrition, health and wellness needs – approaches like: “Stealth Health”, “Flexatarian”, and the use of social media. To hear all of our interview with Deanne, click on this link: Good Health 08172010 Interview.MP3.

The hosts also asked Deanne what she felt was the most successful engagement strategy to get members involved in health and wellness. Applying their unique strategies, she highlighted several successful methods. To hear them all, click on this link: Good Health 08172010 Engagement.MP3

Expert Guidance Exists for Worksite Health Promotion! Nico Pronk Explains.

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:28:21 +0000

The International Association for Worksite Health Promotion (IAWHP), www.iawhp.org, is a not-for-profit organization that provides expert guidance to health promotion professionals and worksite coordinators. IAWHP’s mission is to advance the global community of worksite health promotion practitioners through high quality information services, educational activities, personal and professional development, and networking opportunities.

Dr. Nico Pronk, the founding president of IAWHP, joined the show to describe how the organization supports the urgent and growing need of practical and effective solutions/resources for the worksite community. To hear Nico’s thorough and enlightening interview, click on this link: Good Health 08032010 Interview.MP3

Dr. Pronk is also VP for Health Management at HealthPartners in MN; and a Health Science Officer for JourneyWell. He was asked what he felt was the most effective engagement strategy to get members to participate in health & wellness programs. To hear Nico’s valuable and in-depth response, click on this link: Good Health 08032010 Engagement.MP3

Finally, on the show’s health tip segment, Dr. Dave and Steve shared an effective approach to double the registration in on-site activities. It’s all about timing, click hear to learn the answer: Good Health 08032010 Tip.MP3

Do Incentives Impact Behavior Change? Dr. Kevin Volpp Explains.

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:58:34 +0000

Many of the previous guests on the GHIGB show have stated that incentives are great for getting engagement; but not so good for achieving behavior change. Dr. Kevin Volpp, Director of the Center for Health Incentives, (www.med.upenn.edu/ldichi), focuses his research on the impact of financial and organizational incentives on health outcomes. Dr. Volpp discusses a recent intervention study on financial incentives and smoking cessation among employees at General Electric in which the results identified a tripling of the long-term smoking cessation rates. To hear what was unique in making this approach so successful and to hear the entire interview, click on this link: Good Health 07202010 Interview.MP3.

The hosts also asked Kevin what he found as the most successful engagement strategy to get members to participate in health and wellnes programs. Click on this link to hear his enlightening response: Good Health 07202010 Engagement.MP3.

Do Incentives Impact Behavior Change? Dr. Kevin Volpp Explains.

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:58:34 +0000

The Burden of Eldercare on the Workplace! Veronica Woldt Explains!

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:28:50 +0000

Two of the most important demographic trends that will impact the workforce are the growth in the number of workers with eldercare responsibilities, and the growth in the number of workers with both childcare and eldercare responsibilities. In fact, 35% of workers face daily eldercare responsibilities at some point during a given year. This caregiving results in employees being absent from work and less productive while on the job.

Veronica Woldt, a gerontologist and owner/principal of Corporate Eldercare Solutions, www.corporateeldercaresolutions.com, joined the show to discuss these growing trends and the business issues surrounding them. Ms. Woldt not only identified the affect that these demands have on the employer; but she provided some insightful solutions. To hear our inteview with Ms. Woldt, click on this link: Good Health 07062010 Interview.MP3.

The hosts also asked Veronica, “What has she found as the most successful engagement strategy to help corporation address the productivity and health issues related to eldercare concerns?” To hear her mult-step recommendations, click on this link: Good Health 07062010 Engagement.MP3.

Finally, on the show’s health tip segment, Dr. Dave and Steve offered advice from a new book, 35 Things to Know to Raise Active Kids, on volunteering with the elderly. Find out more about the book and how to share this family tip on this link: Good Health 07062010 Tip.MP3

Wellness Southern Style! Jan Carter and Mendi McDowell Explain!

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:15:39 +0000

The Southern Company is a leading U.S. producer of electricity, owning electric utilities in four states. It has a strong, deep-rooted culture of employee safety. In 2005, the company extended that commitment and culture to the Wellness of its employees. They are implementing it – The southern way through a “Southern Lifestyle”. Jan Carter and Mendi McDowell are responsible for this initiative. They joined the show to describe their program’s strategies, goals, activities and results to-date. We encourage you to listen and learn the key factors to a successful wellness program within a large company. To hear our intervew with Jan and Mendi, click on this link: Good Health 06222010 Interview.MP3

The hosts also asked Ms. Carter and Ms. McDowell what they felt is the most successful engagement strategy to get members engaged in health and wellness activities. You’ll want to hear their very unique and insightful responses. Click on this link: Good Health 06222010 Engagement.MP3

Finally, on the show’s health tip segment, Dr. Dave and Steve shared information on two very important Fall events in the Atlanta area that all local businesses should participate in. Click on this link to learn more: Good Health 06222010 Tip.MP3

Wellness in the City – Implementing Health Promotion in a Municipality! Brenda Hall Explains.

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:03:42 +0000

The City of Fayetteville, GA has implemented their wellness initiatives for several years; and are beginning to see the signs of success. Brenda Hall, the City’s HR Manager and Wellness Champion, and Charles Stanley, Director of Public Works, joined the show to share their perspectives on the details and success of the wellness program. Ms. Hall discussed the details of the program’s activity and incentive structure; while Mr. Stanley shared his personal transition from opponent to proponent of the program. To hear all of this engaging interview, click on this link: Good Health 06082010 Interview.MP3

The hosts asked each guest what they thought was the most successful engagement strategy to get their employees to participate in health & wellness. While comitted leadership was a key part of the answer, it wasn’t the only message they shared. Click on this link to hear their complete advice:

Finally, Dr. Dave’s and Steve’s health tips highlighted some upcoming Atlanta-area health events that all local businesses should share with their workforce. To hear about what your employees should be doing in the coming weeks, click on this link: Good Health 06082010 Tip.MP3

Wellness Works with Human Capital Initiatives! Dr. Rachel Permuth-Levine Explains.

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:08:23 +0000

Dr. Rachel Permuth-Levine returns to GHIGB to update the listeners on the latest inititatives being implemented at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s Center for Employee Wellness and Health Promotion. Always willing to try new ideas, Dr. Permuth-Levine described the latest mentoring program in-place; as well as the importance of key strategic communications, and the integration of human capital initiatives. To hear all of Dr. Permuth-Levine’s interview and her programming recommendations, click on this link: Good Health 06012010 Interview.MP3

On her last appearance on the radio show, Rachel stated that “Social Support and Follow-up” were the most successful engagement strategies in getting members to participate in health and wellness programs. Listen to this link to hear what else she has to add: Good Health 06012010 Engagement.MP3

Finally, on the show’s health tip segment, Dr. Dave and Steve offered Summer-themed program ideas that worksite coordinators should be incorporating into their wellness programs. To hear their helpful tip, click on this link: Good Health 06012010 Tip.MP3

Improving Worker Health – the WorkLife Way! Dr. Casey Chosewood Explains.

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 17:28:31 +0000

Dr. Casey Chosewood, Senior Medical Officer for NIOSH’s WorkLife Initiative, joined the show to share details on this new government endeavor. Casey explained that the goal of the WorkLife program is to sustain and improve worker health through better work-based programs, policies, and practices. As a result, NIOSH has funded three Centers of Excellence to support and expand multi-disciplinary research, training, and education in order to achieve these goals. To hear all of Dr. Chosewood’s interview and programming recommendations, click on this link: Good Health 05252010 Interview.MP3

The hosts also asked Casey what he believed to be the best engagement strategy to get individuals involved in a healthier lifestyle. Here’s the link to hear his unique and informative response: Good Health 05252010 Engagement.MP3

Finally, on the show’s health tip segment, Dr. Dave and Steve highlighted the value and importance of the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov. To hear the valuable resources that can be obtained by visiting this site, click on this link: Good Health 05252010 Tip.MP3