Bookmark & ShareFor Immediate Release: 08/29/2006
Contact: Jill Hanks, 360-923-2765
(OLYMPIA) - The state of Washington has been awarded a $100,000 Healthy States grant to improve healthy lifestyles and wellness efforts. The National Governors Association (NGA) awarded the grant for projects that encourage healthy, active lifestyles among state employees, retirees, and their families.
As one of the largest employers in Washington, state government provides health care benefits to about 320,000 employees, retirees, and their families. As the "chief executive officer" of the state, Governor Gregoire has assigned the Health Care Authority and the Department of Health to lead "Washington Wellness Works."
The goal of Washington Wellness Works is to promote healthy habits that will also help control medical costs. Short-term objectives are to increase awareness about healthy living and help people take an active role in their own good health.
"Washington is well-suited to serve as a model employer by promoting healthy behavior among our own employees and retirees," said Governor Gregoire. "We not only improve the health of state employees and retirees, but also enhance their ability to serve state citizens. I encourage all state employees, retirees, and their families to participate in health and fitness programs. Together, we can make Washington the healthiest state in the nation."
"We hope the efforts of Washington Wellness Works can bring about change at the community level, ultimately reducing the cost of insurance and creating a healthier population," said Steve Hill, Health Care Authority administrator.
An important aspect of the new program is the development of health risk assessments (HRAs). The HRA - mainly available through a person's health plan - will help educate people on what they can do to take care of themselves or to treat existing conditions. The information gathered will also give the state the ability to measure success of health promotion efforts. The grant funding will specifically go toward HRA evaluations.
"We can all do little things that can have a big impact on our long term health," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "Walking instead of driving on short errands, eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and avoiding tobacco are a few things we can all do to be healthier."
Learn more about Washington Wellness Works - and get lots of healthy ideas - at www.washingtonwellness.gov.
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NEWS RELEASE Health news release #06-141
