Little Apple...BIG Ideas

Look at all of that PURPLE!

Manhattan KS, home of the Wildcats. (Go State!) (No, we are not KSU partial; we are actually a team divided. Aubrey a KSU grad and Elizabeth, employee of KU and Missty, KU fan) Out of this group of worksite representatives came this powerful quote,

“It is more cost effective for me to keep an employee healthy, than replace one.” 

WOW! How true! It is easy to think about the cost associated with creating a healthy environment at the worksite or maintaining a wellness program, but what about the cost of having unhealthy employees? Those costs tell an equally compelling story. Remember the chart below? (Hint: You saw it in the WorkWell KS Workshop)  This chart shows the whole cost of health that employers should consider.  It goes beyond just the cost of healthcare/medical care.  Employees with poor health cost employers whether or not they are on your health plan. 

It takes leadership bringing attention to these issues to make progress.  Thank you to Mercy Regional Health Center, USD #384, City of Manhattan, GTM Sportswear,KSU- Housing and Dining Services, and Riley County for engaging in the conversation about worksite wellness and  exercising leadership by participating in the Manhattan WorkWell KS Workshop.  

Go State! (One last one. I couldn't help myself!)

Feels Like Home... Because it is!

I was particularly excited for the WorkWell KS workshop in Salina because I(Aubrey) am a Salinian, born and raised.  I am proud that  worksites in my hometown are stepping up as leaders for health and are working to build healthy work environments that support their employees in living healthier lives.  The Salina Chamber of Commerce, The City of Salina, Great Plains Manufacturing, Comcare, USD 305, and Salina Regional Health Center were all present for the day and a half long workshop. It was great to hear this group discussing their role as leaders not only within their worksites, but in the community at large.  When we really think big picture, and what is at stake when we discus the health of our communities, we are able to see that we all share a role in the work to improve it!

Spot the Salt & More Monkey Business

We found ourselves back in Topeka for a Sodium Workshop presented by KDHE, Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods and the Shawnee County Health Agency as a part of their Spot the Salt project, a county-wide project aimed at helping the citizens of Shawnee County decrease heart disease and stroke by reducing the amount of sodium they consume.  

The workshop was attended by a number of businesses.  We were happy to see some familiar faces from our WorkWell KS group! This is a real life example of businesses coming together to support community transformation.   We were also happy the workshop took place in the Topeka Zoo! We were able to take a physical activity break during the workshop to visit the new baby orangutan. Talk about motivation to get up and move! That little guy was adorable, as where the other critters!

Part of the WorkWell KS Team. We just couldn't help ourselves. 

Why in the world focus on salt? About 90 percent of Americans eat more sodium than is recommended for a healthy diet. Too much sodium increases a person’s risk for high blood pressure. High blood pressure often leads to heart disease and stroke. More than 800,000 people die each year from heart disease, stroke and other vascular diseases, costing the nation $273 billion in health care in 2010. 

Employers have an opportunity to address sodium at the worksite or include it as a part of their strategic worksite wellness plan as a way to address both healthy foods and chronic diseases. What are your goals? What do you want to achieve? Does sodium reduction need to be a part of your strategy?

Vegetarian options on the Zoo's concessions menu!

Interested in the work Shawnee County is doing? Wanting more information? Check out their website! http://spotthesalt.com/

The Topeka Zoo was a fantastic location for the sodium workshop.  Not just because we were able to hold a baby alligator and see a newborn orangutan, but because they are leading by example in this work.  They have completely revised their concession's menu to include healthy options.  They want employees and patrons to have access to quality foods. We were very excited to see and sample their new menu!

On to our next adventure!