Program Description

Contact: Susan Blair, M.B.A.

Pacific Bell Health Promotion Manager

2600 Camino Ramon, 2W050E

San Ramon, CA 94583

510-823-6029

HEALTH INFORMATION PROGRAM (HIP) A health information service available through a toll-free phone number, staffed by a registered nurse/health professionals; provides confidential information on health topics, general medical questions, registration for Step In Time prenatal program, VDT Hotline and information on other FitWorks/Health Promotion programs. Employees, retirees and their dependents can call between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday-Friday.

HEALTH PROMOTION VIDEO LIBRARY Wellness/health topics, fitness/exercise, and prenatal videos for home or worksite viewing can be ordered by all employees. Catalogs describing the videos are available from the Health Information Program.

STEP-IN-TIME A pregnancy/prenatal program available to all employees and spouses who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. A bet-selling pregnancy guide book can be sent to the home by calling the Health Information Program. Expecting parents are invited to participate in the prenatal Self-Check and the birth announcement card. A thank-you maternity t-shirt is sent out after the Self-Check is returned; also a congratulation baby t-shirt is sent out after the birth announcement card is returned.

BODY FAT/BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING Screening programs for body fat and blood pressure measurements by health professionals are offered periodically.

VDT/ER GONOMIC HOTUNE Current cumulative trauma /ergonomics information and company resources are available through the Health Information Program, (VDT Hotline).

BREAST HEALTH SCREENING Breast cancer prevention and information is available through the Health Information Program (HIP). National Cancer Institute brochures are included in these materials. Four videos on Breast Self Exam, Mammography, and Risk & Prevention are available via the Health Promotion Video Library.

ALA CARTE, WEIGHT MANAGEMENT The Weight Kit, a four-step guide to losing weight and maintaining weight loss, produced by the Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, may be obtained by calling the HIP. Many self-help weight management videos are available via the Health Promotion Video Library. Chart Your Progress, a program for monitoring girth measurements and percent body fat, is available through FitWorks. Personalized presentations for your worksite on weight management issues are available upon request from FitWorks personnel. The thirty to sixty minute presentations include: brochures and interactive participation.

BLOOD PRESSURE MACHINES/ WEIGHT SCALES Self-testing blood pressure machines are available at twenty-eight locations.

SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM The Smoke Stopper self-directed kit is available to smoking employees via the Health Information Program. This comprehensive kit includes written material, relaxation audiotape, and tools for success.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Voluntary, confidential, and professional counseling is available to employees experiencing personal problems which may be affecting their health, safety, and work performance. The counselors offer evaluation, referral, and short-term counseling to employees with: marital or family problems, alcohol or drug abuse, work-related concerns, interpersonal difficulties, personal growth and development issues.

GOOD MORNINGS! SLEEP PROGRAM Workshop sponsored by FitWorks. A thirty minute group presentation to learn about sleep problems and practical strategies for developing better sleep habits.

RETURN TO WORK Trial program designed to assist employees following an injury or illness by providing an opportunity to continue prescribed conditioning programs at worksite fitness facilities.

CORONARY RISK MODIFICATION PROGRAM (CRMP) A prescribed exercise and lifestyle risk modification program designed to assist employees returning to work following a coronary illness; heart attack, angina, or heart surgery (angioplasty/coronary bypass).

FITWORKS Worksite fitness facilities are available in 12 locations for use by all Pacific Bell employees after a brief health assessment. These facilities feature aerobic exercise classes, circuit weight training on Keiser air powered equipment, free weights by Cybex, StairMasters, stationary exercise bicycles (including recumbent), Concept II rower machines, VersaClimbers, treadmills, and Nordic Track cross-country ski simulators. Exercise and training goals are supervised by an Exercise Physiologist.

OSTEOPOROSIS RISK PROFILE PROGRAM Participants complete a self-reported questionnaire obtained from a local FitWorks or by calling the HIP 800-line. Once returned, a computer generated risk profile and suggested behavior changes are mailed to the participant.

BACK TO HEALTH Multidimensional approach to back education and injury prevention program. Personalized worksite presentations upon request from FitWorks. The thirty to sixty minute workshop includes: brochures, demonstrations, and interactive participant training. Back To Health injury prevention and conditioning classes, taught by exercise physiologists, are available at the FitWorks facilities. These worksite presentations are currently available at no cost.

HOME EQUIPMENT PROGRAM Pacific Bell employees can receive discounts on certain manufacturers' exercise equipment. Discounted exercise equipment includes: ski machines, stair climbers, treadmills, stationary bicycles, resistance training equipment, total body climbers, rowers, and more. FitWorks does not endorse the equipment, the equipment manufacturers, or the equipment dealers and is not responsible for any agreements or disputes between the employee, the manufacturer, and/or the dealer.

WELLNESS WALKER CLUB Employees are invited to join this self-paced, self-monitored walking program. Wellness Walker Club members have the opportunity to log cumulative miles to award levels in the Mileage Club, or simulated tours in the Walk Across Europe, Australia, China, Canada, and the Appalachian Trail. Members receive a Club Kit outlining the program and simulated route, a quarterly newsletter, and incentives of lapel pins, fanny packs, shoelaces or T-shirts.

WORK HARDENING A program designed to decrease the incidence of job related injuries, absenteeism and health care costs of Pacific Bell employees through improved health and physical conditioning. The Business Units purchase fitness equipment (actual facility set-up costs run $12,000 to $13,000 depending on equipment selection) to install at their work site. FitWorks provides: facility set-up, initial and all follow-up screenings, exercise prescriptions and results tracking.

I. PACIFIC BELL HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

In 1988, Pacific Bell expanded internal health education efforts to offer 52,000 employees opportunities to improve their health habits and work capabilities. The parallel program goals were to encourage employees to assume responsibility for their individual and familial health and to reduce Company health-related costs. To determine program targets, data from 30,000 health risk assessments and 500,000 employee medical claims were analyzed. Each year integrated health data is reviewed to amend these targets. Currently, employees have access to programs including fitness activities, prenatal care, back care, sleep education, cancer and osteoporosis screening, smoking cessation, stress reduction, family care, workplace violence prevention and medical consumer information. Twelve FitWorks and twenty-two satellite facilities are available at the worksite. A team of occupational health nurses, exercise physiologists, social workers, safety and administrative experts design and implement programs. Human Resources funds the budget; all services are free-of-charge.

Program participation is voluntary and union supported. Sixty-six percent of employees participate in one or more programs. Surveyed employees report overall program satisfaction levels at eighty-five percent. As one participant stated "FitWorks has encouraged me to make a stronger commitment to controlling the state of my own health".