Healthy KC and Diabetes Prevention
Last Tuesday I attended a Workplace Wellness recognition breakfast hosted by Healthy KC. Healthy KC is a collaboration led by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and several regional organizations who focus on the health and wellness of our communities. The event highlighted businesses in the KC region that have committed to creating a culture of health and wellness in the workplace. The YMCA of Greater Kansas City was recognized with a Gold level certification. To become certified, an organization must complete an assessment survey covering everything wellness related. This includes benefits, design-build, incentive programs for nutrition and physical activity and much more. The recognition breakfast was inspiring not only because of what organizations offer, but the difference they are making in their employees lives.
At the YMCA, we cultivate wellness partnerships with employers that enhance their offerings. Our goal is to improve the lives of their employees, which can improve employee satisfaction, job performance and the bottom line for those employers. The YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program is one example of a successful partnership.
The YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program has been a signature program for our employer partners and their employees. This lifestyle change program supports people at risk for diabetes by helping them lose weight and be more active. In addition to working with a health coach in small groups for 19 weekly sessions and 6 monthly maintenance sessions, participants receive a 6-month household membership to the Y. Employers can choose to pay for their employees directly or by having the program covered as a benefit of the employer health insurance plan. Below is a list of major employers who cover the diabetes prevention program as a part of their health benefits.
American Family Insurance
American International Group, Inc
Ann Inc.
Aramark Uniform Services
Avon Products
Benjamin Moore & co.
Best Buy Co, Inc.
Chemed Corporation / Roto Rooter
Ciber, Inc.
Commerce Bancshares
Deere & Company
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Farmers Group, Inc.
General Electric
ICF Consulting Group, Inc.
Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
Medline Industries, Inc.
Metlife
On the Border
Parker Hannifin Corporation
Schreiber Foods Inc
Southwest Airlines
The Hertz Corporation
UnitedHealth Group
Wells Fargo
With over 86 million adults at risk for prediabetes, it is more important than ever that interventions are easily attainable. One of the best solutions is to offer such interventions at the workplace. The YMCA is ready to partner with you to lower the risk of diabetes and improve the lives of your employees. Together we are better!
To join the program or learn more information, please contact HealthyCommunity@KansasCityYMCA.org or call 816-285-8050. YMCA membership is not required and the program is offered in both English and Spanish.
Jessica works as Senior Director of Healthy Living at the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. In her role with the YMCA, she focuses on strengthening the linkages between traditional health care and community-based prevention strategies to help individuals prevent, delay, or live better with chronic conditions. Jessica is a Graduate student in the Counseling Psychology program at Avila University. Jessica believes in creating a whole picture of wellness, which includes a healthy mind and body. Jessics focuses on meeting people where they are as a means to inspire action beyond their perceived limits and potential. You can learn more about Jessica on her website, the Helpful Human.
