During the COVID-19 pandemic, people spent a lot of time isolated and indoors, which helped foster an environment where some people now feel lonelier than ever. The result is a loss of social connectedness—the degree to which people feel the social connections and relationships in their lives to satisfy their wants and needs. When social…
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Diabetes Awareness in the Workplace
November is National Diabetes Month, a time to bring attention to diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans. The workplace can be a perfect place to provide awareness, education and intervention for prediabetes and diabetes.
According to the CDC, more than 100 million U.S. adults are living with diabetes or prediabetes. That’s almost 1 in every 10 with diabetes. More than one third of U.S. adults have prediabetes, which if not treated often leads to type 2 diabetes within five years. Diabetes is a serious disease but it can be managed through physical activity, diet and the appropriate use of insulin or other medications to control blood sugar levels.
In the spirit of diabetes education and management at work, WELCOA reached out to workplaces to find out how they approach diabetes control as one of their workplace wellness initiatives.
E3: DiaBEATes
Like many companies, Baylor College of Medicine has found that elevated glucose and diabetes are prevalent among its employee population. Jesse Gavin, WELCOA Faculty Member, serves as the Wellness Team Lead for BCM BeWell, the college’s health and wellness initiative. In collaboration with the BCM Be Well team, the Corporate Programs group created a unique concept to bring coaching and in person education to their employees in the workplace at three different locations over the past three years. The intervention, under the leadership of faculty members Jeffrey Steinbauer, MD, and registered dietitian Roberta Anding, provides weekly lectures, guest speaker presentations, videos, interactive nutrition and educational tools as well as peer-led support groups to discuss nutrition and lifestyle habits aimed at the prevention and management of diabetes.
E3: DiaBEATes Engages, Educates and Empowers employees to take control of their health through an exciting series of healthy living seminars. The program is a year-long health improvement initiative available to any eligible employee at no personal cost. The program’s first six months include a series a weekly lectures and interactive classroom-style presentations, and the following six months are primarily centered on behavioral modifications. Those diagnosed with diabetes or those with multiple risk-factors, have their A1C, lipids, blood pressure, body composition and weight measured to monitor improvements throughout the course of the program.
This program is important for BCM employees because diabetes is a growing health issue. Having a support system in place, as well as the optimizing internal resources, demonstrates that Baylor College of Medicine truly cares about the health and wellbeing of their employees.
“My fasting blood glucose levels were high during my biometric screening. Although I told myself I was going to eat better, work out more, and be healthier, my number got even higher during both of the next 2 screenings, so I gave E3 diabetes a chance. During the 12 month program, I lost 15 pounds and my A1C levels fell from 5.9 (prediabetic) to 5.6 (normal)!” – Tara R.
Improve Diabetes in Your Organization with WELCOA Resources
Mental Health at the Workplace
Explore with Mettie Spiess how mental health concerns can interfere with achieving good health and wellness.
Treating the Cause: How to Reverse Heart Disease, Diabetes and Other Chronic Diseases
Learn from Dr. Esselstyn, MD, how possible it is to reverse chronic disease through using research based on eating a whole food, plant-based diet.
Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Find out how some physicians are using whole food, plant based diets to reverse heart disease and other chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Brochure
Diabetes is a serious disease and onset is hard to identify. Understand the symptoms associated with your blood sugar level and take the quiz to determine your risk. WELCOA 12-panel, brochures are perfect for your waiting room, staff lounge, or business office. Folded down, each brochure fits conveniently into a #10 envelope for easy mailing.
Also, check out the National Diabetes Prevention Program for research based program ideas that can be easily implemented at your workplace.
Program Submissions by:
Jesse Gavin is the Wellness Team Lead at Baylor College of Medicine and WELCOA Top 50 Health Promotion Professional (2016).
Kate Pagel is the Lead Project Manager for Corporate Programs at Baylor College of Medicine.
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