Health Promotion : Wellness Workshops / Lunch and Learn Programs.

Wellness workshops / lunch and learn programs are learning sessions planned and organized by you to meet specific objectives . Decide on a topic and select a speaker. Choose a site for the “Lunch and Learn” session, generally a lunchroom or break room. Depending on your budget and objectives, employees can brown bag the lunch or you might provide the meal. Meetings can be mandatory or elective, your option .

Experience tells us the most success will be achieved if these wellness seminars / lunch and learn programs are elective and if the employer provides lunch.

Objectives for Wellness Seminars / Lunch and Learn Programs

Education on a specific medical problem. You may want to pick one of your group’s top diagnoses. Examples are -

• Diabetes - diabetes prevention and care by a certified diabetic educator

• Heart disease - cardiovascular health (individual counseling sessions with a nutritionist)

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Flu and pneumonia

• Breast cancer - breast health or breast self-exam sessions can be taught by a trained instructor

Education on health insurance benefits -

• Diabetes - what are the covered benefits, where to buy diabetic supplies, support groups for workers with diabetes.

• Employee Health Promotion Program Benefits

• Well baby/child care.

Education on the importance of enrolling in your medical plan or local health department’s health education programs or illness management programs. Example programs -

• Diabetes

• Respiratory

• Low-Back Pain

• Cardiovascular

• Tobacco use

Community Resource Speakers for Wellness Workshops / Lunch and Learn Programs

• Local health plan office

• Local heart association

• Local cancer society

• Pharmacies - many pharmacists are available to speak on pharmacy-related issues.

• Pharmaceutical Companies - many companies have standard presentations developed for organizations that are provided free of charge to use at your own direction. Some examples are -

• Know Your Numbers (high cholesterol) - Pfizer

• Respiratory Wellness (flu and pneumonia) - Pfizer

• Men’s and Women’s Health - Pfizer

• Local fitness centers  and / or fitness trainers - can discuss walking safety, advantages of walking, swimming and aerobics.

• Yoga and/or Pilates instructors

• Running, cycling club representatives

• Local hospital nutritionists

• Stamp Out Smoking - Tobacco Coalition representatives

Topics for Wellness Seminars / Lunch and Learn Programs

• Bicycling - benefits and opportunities for cycling

• Nutrition and health (Heart Healthy lunch for all attendees)

• Cardiovascular health

• Women’s health issues

• How to recognize the signs and signs of heart attack and stroke

• National Worker Fitness Day within the office setting - Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness representatives can promote event

• Exercise tolerance and healthy heart issues

• Beginning a workout plan - include the importance of seeing the doctor prior to the starting of any new exercise program

• Self-defense

• Domestic abuse

• Safety in general

• Exercise safety

• Walking/running benefits and safety tips

• Tobacco dangers and avoidance