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11 <br />WELLNESS ACTIVITIES 2011 <br />Resear-ch has shown that every dollar spent on wellness activities generates at least $3 in <br />return. Fewer sick days, increased productivity, and greater ability to deal with stress are all <br />common results of wellness programs. Investing =in preventive screenings for high blood <br />pressure and- cholesterol can reduce health care costs. Providing flu clinics with_ no-cost <br />immunizations and the time to- attend can reduce missed work time due to illness. Offering <br />greater opportunities for physical activity, tobacco cessation programs, and nutritious eating are <br />all elements of a wellness program that would cost little compared to the cost of monthly <br />insurance premiums and los# productivity. <br />Over the past few years, Orange County partnered with NCACC to enhance the Wellness <br />Committee activities, including screenings for high blood pressure and blood glucose, exercise <br />and nutritional challenges. UnitedHealthcare's well-Hess programs include SimplyEng-aged- <br />which pr-ovides rewards for completing health assessments and participating in online and <br />telephonic coaching. UnitedHealthcare also funds orrsite biometric screenings, employee <br />newsletters, payroll stuffers and- promotional posters. <br />A 2011 survey of employees showed that 62% of respondents exercise regularly and 55% <br />participated in aCounty-sponsored wellness activity. <br />Highly discounted membership- rates for the Orange County Sportsplex continue to be a popular <br />wellness benefit for employees. Currently 21.8 employees ace members, a 17% increase over <br />2010's membership of 155. <br />Wellness activities listed below all took place since November 2010. <br />Biometrics and Flu Clinics <br />Two Flu Clinics were held in late 2010, with WakeMed conducting biometric screening <br />at one event. Over 200 employees were immunized. Flu Clinics will again be held at <br />several County locations in Fall 2011. <br />2. Nutrition Challenge <br />The NCACC and Orange County co-sponsored afour-week nutrition challenge, Colorful <br />Choices, in which participants were encouraged to increase the amount of fruit and <br />vegetables they ate. Employees in most departments participated, with a total of 131 <br />registrants and 109 participants who logged their fruit and vegetable consumption. <br />Those who recorded the highest in#ake were awarded incentives from the NCACC and <br />Orange County. <br />3. Sportsplex Membership <br />Notices were sent to employees in January 2011, reminding them of the Sportsplex <br />discount. There are now 218 members, approximately 17% more members than in <br />2010. The Sportsplex rates and schedules are on tt~e County's Wellness Web page. <br />4. Wellness Grant <br />The County applied for a Wellness Grant from the NCACC. As one of 3 successful <br />applicants, the County was awarded $5,000 in June 2011. Components of the grant <br />include: <br />A-9 <br />