Taking care of our own:
Do You Know Your Numbers?
(Nov./Dec. 2008)
Written by LaVaughn Palma-Davis, senior director, U-M Health and Well-Being Initiatives
The path to wellness often begins with a clear understanding of your current health status. Knowing if you have risk factors for certain diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes, and knowing ways you can improve and maintain your overall health are important to achieving a healthy and happy life.
The University of Michigan is committed to creating and encouraging a culture of health among its faculty and staff, and providing encouragement and assistance wherever possible. To that end, U-M is launching MHealthy Wellness Assessments—a free, confidential program that offers the opportunity to learn about your current health status, possible future risks, opportunities for health improvement and key numbers you’ll need to make decisions about your health.
Assessments focus on prevention and health-promoting activities and begin with an online health questionnaire followed by a 30-minute wellness screening.
The screening includes:
- Taking blood pressure
- Measuring height, weight and waist circumference
- Checking total and HDL cholesterol and blood sugar levels
You will then meet with a health professional to go over your results and discuss opportunities for maintaining or improving your health. Based on your assessment, you may be eligible to work with a personal health coach.
U-M has contracted with an external vendor to provide these services. Data from your assessment will be housed in a secure data warehouse by a third-party vendor to ensure the confidentiality of your individual information.
MHealthy Wellness Assessments are available to all active faculty and staff. Appointments will be available at multiple locations on all U-M campuses. As added incentive—and a bonus to you—benefit-eligible faculty and staff who complete the entire MHealthy Wellness Assessment process will receive $100 (before taxes).
Learn more about MHealthy initiatives.
"This is wonderful that the UofM is doing this. I know I am ready for some healthy changes in my life and this is just the kind of thing to get me motivated. Thank you!" Peggy, UofM Saline Health Center
"I'm really excited for this program and feel staff will definitely participate due to the incentive!!!"
Rachel, Nursing (Holden NICU)
"I'm ready to start the year off with some healthy changes in my life."
Dorothy May, Internal Medicine/Cardiology