Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106334

Dianne G. Thomas, MBA, Director of Fit City, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211, 704-432-1467, thomadg@co.mecklenburg.nc.us and Michael P. Kennedy, MGA, MPH, CHES, Administration, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211-1097.

As part of a comprehensive approach to address rising health care costs and obesity among employees, Mecklenburg County (Charlotte, NC) implemented an incentive-based behavior change program to improve worker physical activity levels and diet. The program, entitled Fit City Challenge, is a community-based initiative to increase activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables. It was adopted by the County as an employee health intervention. The County's Human Resources Department helped develop criteria for earning points which can be redeemed for additional paid vacation time. A team of county department representatives were recruited to assist with implementation and serve as role models and "cheerleaders" to encourage participation. Some county departments formed teams to compete for additional incentives. The County Parks and Recreation department offered discounted rates at their fitness facilities for participants. A web site www.fitcitychallenge.org) enables participants to log their activities and track their progress, and enables county management to monitor departmental goals and aggregate improvements in physical activity and diet. Strategies, barriers, outcomes and lessons learned from implementing this workplace health promotion program will be presented including the value of incentives, techniques for recruitment and retention, and benefits to employers. Incentive programs such as this have the potential to 1. improve employee health 2. reduce direct and indirect healthcare costs and 3. role model positive health behavior change to other employers and the community.

Learning Objectives:

• 1)List the benefits and outcomes of an incentive-based worksite health promotion program. 2)Identify key champions and incentives necessary for successful initiation. 3)Describe the stages of implementation and techniques for recruitment and retention. 4)Discuss the role of technology in program implementation and evaluation.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.