Portage resident Kathy Dominguez never had a problem with her blood sugar. But when the 64-year old St. Mary Medical Center Health Information Management professional had her blood drawn at work with a free screening through the New Healthy Me program, her lab result showed otherwise.
Luckily, New Healthy Me experts at the hospitals of Community Healthcare System were able to assess Dominguez’s overall health and alert her of her risk for heart disease.
The New Healthy Me points-based incentive program has proven to help not only Community Healthcare System employees maintain healthier lifestyles and lower healthcare expenses, but other businesses’ employees as well.
As participating employees from businesses across Northwest Indiana complete wellness activities throughout the year, such as exercising, losing weight, getting an annual physical or participating in a team walking challenge, they accumulate points that translate into rewards. Every 5,000 points accumulated means prizes and gift card, prize drawings and money to offset healthcare premiums.
Test results indicated Dominguez was exhibiting telltale signs of pre-diabetes. Her A1C was high, she had high blood pressure and she was overweight. Left untreated, the combination could lead to heart disease or premature death.
The only way Dominguez could improve her health was to make permanent lifestyle changes. For the next three years, Dominguez worked hard to get her body healthy and beat the numbers. Her dedication inspired co-workers who along with her family, served as her support system throughout her journey. She lost 84 pounds.
“My cholesterol levels and blood pressure have also improved,” she says. New Healthy Me helped Dominguez make her health a priority. Today, she is no longer pre-diabetic and her heart is healthier.
Find out how the New Healthy Me program can help your business – and your employees – live a healthier lifestyle.
