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Live Well Lubbock: Health Challenge

July 2012

The following is an overview of a public health campaign which will be launched in January 2013 for the community of Lubbock, Texas. Patterned after the successful campaign conducted in Oklahoma City as well as on-going efforts in Dallas, Houston and Carrollton, Texas the effort is intended to demonstrate how a health goal can be set and success achieved by bringing citizens, businesses, and community groups together. The rationale for having the Health Department of the City of Lubbock taking a lead role in this campaign has basis in the fact that no other organization or community entity is as strategically well-positioned to carry out this effort. This campaign would provide an illustration of the role of public health at the community level and demonstrate how coordination of existing groups could be put to good use to reduce the tax burden on our citizens by improving known health factors. A strong benefit of the campaign is that it builds on the real-time experience of another large neighboring city. Seeking to partner with Oklahoma City our community can benefit from the actual experience and lessons learned so that the effort can be focused and driven by proven guidelines. Seeking a Healthy Community: Why Lubbock Should Care The major challenge in contemporary health care in America is obesity. Our obesity has grown to epidemic proportions in the United States. More than one-third of U.S. adults and 50 percent of African-American women are obese. The number of obese Americans rapidly increased from 13 percent of the population in 1960-62 to 35 percent in 2005-06. Obesity is now the second leading cause of death in the United States, and is likely to become the first. The financial consequence associated with this epidemic are a massive drain on our society. Health-care costs of individuals who are obese are 42 percent greater than the health-care costs of normal weight individuals, The emotional and psychological tolls are worse. Not only is obesity associated with higher mortality rates and shorter life expectancy, it also can significantly reduce quality of life. People who are obese have much higher rates

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of diabetes and its complications (kidney failure, blindness, limb amputations) as well as stroke, breast and colorectal cancer, osteoarthritis and depression. While we may focus a concern on the long-term consequences of obese among adults it is important to note the explosion of obesity among our children. 17 percent of all U.S. children are obese, with rates highest for African-American adolescent girls (29 percent) and Hispanic adolescent boys (27 percent). The rapid growth in the number of Type II diabetes among children and adolescents is a shocking development for a disease that was once seen as affecting only overweight older adults. Type 2 diabetes that starts in childhood is unacceptable. The fact that 50 percent of African-American women are expected to get Type-2 diabetes in their lifetimes is unacceptable. The obesity epidemic is not a product of genetics or biology as much as being the result of our social environment and human behavior. Taking a larger view of how to organize an effective response to this problem is within our abilities and achieved as a function of community-based campaigns of public health. Overview of OKC program

On December 21, 2007 Mayor Cornett of Oklahoma City announced a partnership with Chesapeake Energy Corporation in a city-wide effort to lose 1 million pounds. In organizing this effort a web site was created (www.ThisCityIsGoingOnaDiet.com) and the call went out to spread the word and open up a community-wide dialogue about the dangers of being overweight. A major part of their success was in the organization of participants in the effort. Funding and support for the web site were donated by several sponsors including Gold’s Gym, Chesapeake Energy, Oklahoma Heart Hospital, OKC Health & Wellness Group, and Liquidfish. Citizens were encouraged to join as individuals, families, friends, corporations, churches, local organizations, community groups, sports teams, police departments, fire departments or schools.

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Over 47,000 members joined up via the web portal. The web site allowed the participants to set up a personal account with many supportive apps. Included in the applications made available were a journal, diary, weight and activity tracking, a food and body diary, blood pressure/glucose tracker and other personal charts. Changes could be tracked individually or by group listing. Members could subscribe to a newsletter, events and program updates and new recipes with alerts sent to their email or mobile phone. A well-developed section of the site included articles and guides regarding how to maintain the health journal and activity log. Also information on nutrition, health mind, and body and weight were offered in hyperlinks from the web site. Maps that located local parks and recreational areas were listed as well as a collection of healthy recipes which encouraged participants to add to the site. A collection of videos linked through youtube.com as well as a page of FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about proper health, nutrition and weight loss were included.

Beyond the individual challenge the program sought corporate sponsors as well as involvement from non-profit organizations and local churches. Success stories were publicized including “Get a Partner”; “Climb a Mountain”; “My first 5K run”; and “Eat Right and Exercise”. Each of these stories portrayed an individual’s story and emphasized the commitment that carried forward into successful weight loss. Businesses and corporate partners were featured on the web site in a directory that included: Cheer / Gymnasitcs / Dance Fitness Facilities Fitness Programs Food / Grocery Health / Beauty Health Insurance Hospitals / Clinics

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Martial Arts Nutrition / Nutritionists Physicians / Surgeons Spas Sports Medicine Sports Programs Wellness / Weight Loss Wellness Education

One feature of the web site involved establishing a "Business Group". Members of the web site can easily join a Business Group by logging in and clicking on Join a Group feature. Members of the web site who join Business Groups were encouraged to get their co-worker to join as well. This will allow all Business Group Members to see how they are all doing collectively. Each Member's information remains confidential, but Business Group stats/totals are provided to the members.

Specific recommendations were offered to participants for home and work. Some of these ideas included:

Take that lunch, but save about 15 minutes for a brisk walk.

Form a walking group at work.

Get together once a week during lunch or a break to share any "healthy recipes" you have come across.

Bring healthy snacks for yourself and your friends at work. Work on being aware of simple choices such as choosing healthy snacks over calorically explosive candies. Pick up some almonds or other healthy nuts. Try the cocoa covered almonds!

Take your lunch to work a couple of times a week and pack it healthy. 2 healthy lunches per week can make a big impact on your health goals.

Eat smaller portions when you go out to eat at lunch. Avoid the buffets.

Having a business meeting for the staff? Avoid the doughnuts and fruit juices with a large amount of sugar. Ask your management to get fruit and veggies and provide water for the meeting but skip the soft drinks.

And don't forget: You can be an encouraging voice at your office.

Health fairs were held as well as “Piece Walk 2011” which noted the following achievements:

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over 1900 walkers participated Gold’s Gym handed out over 400 water bottles and t-Shirts to the people

who came by the booth. =participating in the Piece Walk. Barreto Health Care provided three volunteer for the PieceWalk event and

handed out nutritional fruit snacks and health-focused coloring books (and crayons) to the kids. They also offered weight and BMI measurements & assessments to those interested during the event.

Other events held included

Health & Fitness Expo (Memorial Marathon) Prime Time Seniors Expo Oklahoma Autism Piece Walk & 5K

During the campaign groups were recognized on the website for accomplishments such as the largest number of participants, most weight lost, inches lost, miles and activities, changes in body composition and measurements, highest percentage of participation and most creative motivational efforts.

In October 2011 when the total weight loss exceeded 250,000 pounds the mayor held a press conference at the Will Rogers Air National Guard base. The news conference was conducted from the base flight line between two KC-135 Stratotanker airplanes provided by the 137th Air Refueling Wing of the Oklahoma Air National Guard. The two planes represent the 250,000-pound weight loss.

A local restaurant “Rococo” became the first locally-owned restaurant to offer both lunch and dinner menus featuring several healthy options that support the mayor’s nationally famous campaign encouraging Oklahoma City residents to lose weight. Rococo owner, Bruce Rinehart, remarked that this new menu was intended to help further the effort of offering Oklahoma City residents a healthier lifestyle.

“At Rococo, we thoroughly agree with Mayor Cornett’s challenge to be healthier. We believe a great deal of that starts with the food we choose to eat,” Rinehart said. “It brings credibility to any restaurant featuring a healthy menu to know that someone as dedicated to healthy living as Mayor Cornett chooses not only to endorse our new menu but to dine from it as well.” The healthy winter menu featured soups, salads, appetizers and hearty entree selections available for lunch or dinner.

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Preliminary Goals for the “Live Well Lubbock” campaign

Success grows from proper planning and the need for organization in this effort will be keys for our outcome. The following preliminary goals are:

Identify key personnel from city/county government that might be involved in the campaign

In June I met with Mayor Robertson and initiated the discussion about this campaign. He voiced support and offered the assistance of his office and other resources in the city government in the development and implementation of the plan. It was understood that, while the City of Lubbock Health Department would take a leadership in the campaign, that no taxpayer monies would be allocated and that funding would be provided through private donation.

Scott Snider, assistant city manager, will serve as the representative from the city government to this campaign. He will establish communication with the mayor’s office in Oklahoma City and other cities that have used this program. He will serve in an advisory position to the campaign and coordinate with Lubbock County and other municipalities.

A representative from the County Commissioner’s Court will be sought as this campaign would be an excellent starting point for the combining of efforts between the city and county of Lubbock.

Identify key business and community group leaders that might be involved in the campaign

Lubbock has always enjoyed strong public support in seeking solutions to problems that our community has faced. The “Live Well Lubbock” campaign will seek several principle corporate partners that will anchor the effort and provide funding. Requests for these “Gold” sponsorships will be made to:

1. United Supermarkets 2. Covenant Health Systems 3. University Medical Center

A second and third tier of supporting corporate partners will be sought. Contributions of either cash or “in-kind” donations used in the public relations and community wellness events will be requested. Possible partners for these “Silver” or “Bronze” sponsorships might include:

1. BodyWorks 2. Local financial institutions 3. Grace Clinic/Hospital 4. NorthStar Surgicenter

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5. Lubbock Heart Hospital 6. NTS Communications 7. McDougal Properties 8. Lowe’s Supermarkets 9. Powerhouse nutrition 10. Lubbock Apartment Association 11. South Plains Mall 12. Cardinal’s, Academy, other sports retailers 13. Local Healthcare providers 14. Local Attorneys

These corporate sponsors could register their members on their own website. The positioning of banners for display of their logo on the main web site or the campaign logo on their own site would be shared.

Establish communication with Oklahoma City campaign leaders and seek permission to use their web site and applications therein

In mid-June contact was made with Mike Panas of Oklahoma City who was the software developer for the OKC campaign. He related that following the success of that first campaign his company expanded in their operations and now were involved in many similar efforts across the country. He provided a list of these including:

1. www.tonsoffngeorgia.com 2. www.getfitcarrollton.com 3. www.myfidallas.com 4. www.nationalobesityfoundation.com 5. www.livefitcapefear.org

His company (Healthwise) provides a “turn-key” support for Internet operations with either a monthly or fixed agreement. The monthly cost is $500 while a fixed fee is $15,000. Services provided include:

1. Website, Mobile Apps, and Social Media 2. Personal Health Journals 3. Accountability Partners 4. Hosting & eMail 5. Community Groups 6. Event Calendars, Surveys, and Maps 7. Newsletters & Alerts for Users 8. Recipes, Restaurant, & USDA Nutrition 9. Reports, Charts, and Data Analysis

The on-line Health Journals can be customized not only for individual tracking but to a specific corporation or organization. This feature can then be used to

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help in seeking sponsorship of the program. “Groups” and “Master Groups” can be created (employers, neighborhoods, churches, and other organizations). These groups can then be motivated through corporate or group competitions.

One can create “Group Momentum” in building membership, momentum, and awareness.

1. Different types of Groups can form 2. People can join Groups 3. Groups are “administered” 4. Master Groups and Sub-Groups can be formed. 5. Groups can communicate among the members 6. Group totals, stats, etc, can be seen by group members

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Health Journal & Tutorial This City is Going on a Diet is committed to bringing free resources to our community and registered members of the web site which will help you in your Choose Health journey. One of those resources is the Free Health Journal. Experts agree and studies show that simply journaling your efforts on a consistent basis can increase your success - leading to weight loss and better health.

Many of us simply want to lose weight. Why not track your progress with the Free Health Journal.You can also share your progress with your friends. The system can send them a status of how you are doing! Many of us want to get more exercise. Well, set a goal for yourself and track it daily on the Activity Journal. Oh yes, the Activity Journal automatically calculates your calories burned! It's that easy.

Each of us may have different health goals we would like to reach, but many of us know a small (or large) amount of weight loss could have a big impact on our health. If you ask your friends and relatives, many will surely say they could become a little more healthy, lose some weight, and maybe exercise more. Invite your friends on your journey. The Free Health Journal allows you to form a Group where the members can see how well they are doing. Check it out!

If you have not registered, simply click on the Get Started button on the left. It is easy and fast!

Below are images depicting the journaling screens. If you would like to download a PDF of the Health Journal Tutorial, simply click here. The tutorial will walk you through the basic features of the Health Journal.

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Diary Journal: Use this to record your thoughts, feelings, and little notes about the day.

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Weight Journal: Use this to record your weight loss progress. The data will be used later to create the charts, allowing you to watch as you lose weight.

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Activity Journal: Use this to record what you did throughout the day. The calories will be calculated by the information inputted. This allows you to monitor your calorie intake easier.

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Food Journal: Allows you to record what foods you eat throughout the day. This allows you to monitor what you eat and keep on eye on your daily intake.

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Body Journal: This allows you to monitor your BMI. The figures are calculated by the information provided.

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BP/Glucose Journal: This feature is used help those monitor their vitals and glucose levels.

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Chart Journal: This feature allows you to visually monitor yourself and your habits. The data from other journals are collected here and displayed in bar and line graphs. With multiple different graphs, monitoring your exercise, weight loss, and daily activities becomes much easier.