Healthy employees make for healthier organizations. Integrating health and physical activity into the work culture is the aim of a new UNM wellness initiative. On Thursday, Feb. 16, the Department of Human Resources and the Employee Health Promotional Program will host the first in a series of events to educate staff and faculty about beneficial lifestyles. United Health Care and Lovelace Health Plan are sponsors of “The Road to Wellness” health fair in the SUB ballrooms from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will feature more than 40 exhibits with information on smoking cessation, exercise, work + life balance, ergonomics, nutrition and more. Box lunches with information on the meal’s nutritional value will be available for $3 on a first come, first served basis.
Staff will be granted one and ½ hours of leave with pay to attend the event.
In conjunction with the fair, employees are asked to fill out a Health Risk Assessment Form. The form is designed to help staff and faculty determine individual health status and address potential risks. Completed assessment forms will be viewed by UNM as group data only.
The Staff Council discussed the health information-gathering tool at its January meeting. The council’s executive committee has voiced concerns to Human Resources about the confidentiality and use of employees’ personal medical data.
“Filling out an HRA is voluntary and does not jeopardize your employment with UNM nor will it increase your premiums,” said Associate Vice President and Director of Human Resources Susan Carkeek.
“Your answers will have no affect on your health insurance or coverage and are managed confidentially,” said Kris Porcher of the Lovelace Health Plan Quality Department. “If you tell us that you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or asthma, we will contact you about our Lifelong Steps disease management program.”
United Health Care has retained a third party contractor to make follow-up contact with those found likely to encounter serious health risks.
To accurately complete the HRA, employees will need cholesterol and glucose numbers no more than a year old. A limited number of employees can receive free testing at Johnson Center prior to the fair.
Staff and faculty will have the opportunity to fill out the forms prior to, during or following the health fair through March. 16. Employees and their dependents completing forms are eligible for prizes, including elliptical machines and laptops. Prize drawings will be held from Feb. 20 –March 29. The sooner the HRA is completed, the greater the chances to win.
"I hope that all employees will take the time to attend the Health Fair. Even if they are not enrolled in our insurance plans or do not wish to complete an HRA we want them to attend,” said Charlotte Hendrix, interim benefits manager. “I don't think anyone will be disappointed. We have great giveaways and knowledgeable speakers scheduled. There really is something for everyone."
For more information, visit . http://healthfair.unm.edu
Special Presentations
A series of presentations is also scheduled in conjunction with the health fair.
The following lectures will be held in the Sandia Room of the SUB, third floor:
•9:45-10:30 a.m. Nicholas Spezza, UNM EHPP, “Starting an Exercise Program.”
•10:45-11:30 Cheyenne Autumn, United Healthcare, “Laughter: The Best Medicine.”
•11:45-12:30 Cheryl Guild, UNM Counseling, Assistance and Referral Services (CARS), “Stress Management.
• 12:45-1:30 - Leslie Shainline, Lovelace Health Plan, “Smoking Cessation.”
These lectures will be held in the Scholars Room of the SUB, third floor:
•10-10:45 a.m. Christine Mermier, UNM EHPP, “What do your blood cholesterol numbers mean?”
•11-11:45 a.m. Shelley Rael, UNM EHPP, “Weight Control”
•Noon-12:45 p.m. Richard Santos, UNM College of Economics and College of Pharmacy, Maximizing your healthcare dollars.”
•1:00-1:45 Shelley Rael, UNM EHPP, “Weight Control”
Contact: Laurie Mellas, (505) 277-5915; e-mail: lmellas@unm.edu
Posted by kwentworth at February 6, 2006 09:52 AM