WELLNESS 2022:
"Teamwork Makes the Dream Work"
ESHCA Wellness Newsletter
May 2022
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MVP Living Well Programs:
Mental Health Awareness Month
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90% of healthcare spend in the US goes to Chronic Disease Management and Mental Healthcare. Mental Healthcare is a weakness in our Wellness Program, programs and services are offered but do members who require services know what is available?
ESHCA is a self-insured medical plan, MVP acts as the 3rd party administrator. Members can take advantage of services provided by MVP, resources include:
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Gia - allows members to meet with a mental health specialist virtually in the privacy of their home or other place of convenience
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Register for Gia, send me a screen shot of the confirmation page for your $25 incentive (March Challenge).
"Living Well Programs": MVP provides a number of wellness events throughout the year that can be done in person or virtually please review:
Questions on ESHCA Health Insurance coverage? Contact Donna (ESHCA Healthcare Administrator).
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Our Diet is "SAD":
Ease Correlates to High-Cost Disease
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The Standard American Diet, aka "SAD", is associated with ease and low cost.
- 7 out of 10 leading causes of death in the US are associated with chronic diseases
- 90% of healthcare spend goes to chronic disease management
- 2/3 of adults and 1/3 of children are overweight or obese
- SAD is high in sodium, sugar, trans fats, and calories
- SAD lacks valuable nutrients including calcium, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamin D
- only 1 in 10 Americans get the recommended number of fruits and vegetables
- USA has the largest fast food industry in the world
- 1 in 7 Americans (50 million) eat fast food each day (Pew Research)
- Every month, 9 out of 10 American children visit McDonald's restaurant
- Invention of the "drive-thru" led to the installation of cup holders in vehicles (sugar-sweetened beverages)
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Did you know? Cupholders are a key feature shoppers evaluate when purchasing a car, even supplanting fuel efficiency at one time (theatlantic.com).
- Americans consume over 57 gallons per person of soft drink annually
- 33% of added sugars come from sugar-sweetened beverages (not just soda)
- Coca-Cola (12 oz. can) has 39 grams of sugar
- Journal of Public Health Nutrition (2012) found a link between consumption of fast food and high rates of depression.
- Reminder: May is Mental Health Awareness Week
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French Fries are the most popular fast food in America
- Study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2017):
- 4,400 adults (45-79 years old) over 8 years
- eating French fries (fried) twice per week more than doubled the risk of death
- boiled, baked, or mashed did not pose the same risk
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4 Steps to improve:
- 1) Pack your own food
- 2) Eat 5 servings of produce per day (vegetables and fruit)
- Plan your meals and pack your own food
- Eating out? Replace French fries (or other foods) with salad or steamed veggies!
- 3) Reduce or eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages (includes sugar free soda, high-calorie coffees, fruit juice)
- Drink water flavored with lemon or other fruits or vegetables
- 4) Replace processed carbohydrates with vegetables and fruits!
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Example: Amazing Health Benefits of Spaghetti Squash (Cleveland Clinic)
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$25 May Incentive Challenge: Strive for 5!!!
The data is "SAD", chronic disease and mental health issues are rampant across the US. Is better nutrition the answer? Maybe it is and maybe it isn't, regardless, it is one of the foundational bases we can stand on (nutrition, exercise, adequate sleep, etc.).
- Objective: Only 1 in 10 Americans get the recommended 5 servings of vegetables and fruits per day! "Strive" to get 5 servings of produce per day!
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1) Download the "Strive for 5 Log"
- If you are unable to print, make your own, I will take it!
- 2) Complete 5 days (last day to submit 6/15/22)
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3) Email (good cellphone picture), mail, or fax me a copy of the "Strive for 5 Log" verifying you completed the challenge.
- 4) Reminder: all members of the household are encouraged to participate, however, only one (1) incentive card can be issued to each member-household with the exception that more than one employee-member lives in a given household.
Special offer: Get your crew involved!!!
- Take the lead, be a "Wellness Champion". Encourage the members of your crew to participate with you, have a group discussion and develop strategies to be successful on the job. Record all your names on one "Strive for 5 Log" and send it in, each will receive the $25 incentive (note: ESHCA members only).
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Food Economics:
The Cost of Eating Out
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Looking for ways to save? Preparing meals at home can be more cost efficient and healthier!
1) On average, eating out is 5x more expensive than cooking at home!
- Restaurants charge at a 300% markup!
- The average American eats out 5.9 times per week
- The average household spends $3,500 on food away from home (2019)
- including $1,200 on fast food (individually)
- Estimated average spend per year on drinks (coffee, soda, sports drinks, bottled water):
- Individual = $700
- Couples = $1,400
- Family of 4 = $2,000+
2) Is it healthier to make your own food? Good or bad food choices can be made in any environment but research demonstrates those that eat more home cooked meals:
- Eat more fruits and vegetables.
- More likely to have a normal range BMI and body fat percentage.
3) Save money and calories, strategies to get the most out of your money when dining out:
- 1) Get it to go and pay in cash!
- Taxes and tips add up.
- 2) Take half your meal home or split it!
- Restaurant servings are 2-3 times larger than guidelines
- 3) Drink water!
- 30% of calories come from drinks.
- 4) Cut out the appetizer and desert!
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The Wellness Program offers a number of incentive programs encouraging, motivating, and rewarding you to "practice" a healthy lifestyle. Check out the 2022 Wellness Incentive Program:
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