HealthierUS Veterans
Linda S. Kinsinger, MD, MPH Director VA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
What is HealthierUS Veterans?
• Initiative sponsored by Departments of Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services • Focus on improving health of veterans and family members by encouraging healthy eating and physical activity • Aim to reduce risk of obesity and diabetes
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Why Focus on Obesity and Diabetes in Veterans?
• National and VA-specific rates of obesity and diabetes are high and increasing • Over 70% of veterans who receive health care from VA are overweight or obese; over 20% have diabetes • Veterans and families make up ¼ of US population (approximately 70 million)
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Why Should VA & HHS Partner?
• HHS has excellent strategies, programs, research to address obesity & diabetes • VA is “lab” with large patient population & significant community presence • “HealthierUS Veterans” brings these together
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HealthierUS Veterans
• Program Components
– – – – VA’s MOVE! Weight Management Program Prescription for Health Fitness Challenges Partnerships between VA medical facilities and community-based programs funded by CDC – Fit for Life Volunteer Corps
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www.healthierusveterans.va.gov
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National Promotion of MOVE! Weight Management Program
• Patient-centered, comprehensive focus on behavior, nutrition, and physical activity • Helps veterans lose weight, keep it off, and improve health • Basic MOVE! Program components can be used by veterans, family members, and non-VA providers
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www.move.va.gov
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Prescription for Health
● States BMI and notes health risks if high ● Prescribes daily physical activity to reduce risk ● Encourages use of a pedometer or an odometer ● Includes a recommended number of steps to walk or distance to roll if in a wheelchair
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Prescription for Health
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Fitness Challenges
• Can be done in a group or individually
• Group challenges can be set up within or between facilities or VISNs
• Register for the President’s Challenge and track fitness activities on-line • Encourage co-workers, veterans, and families to take the challenge
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www.healthierusveterans.va.gov/FitnessChallenges
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Partnering with Steps to a HealthierUS
• Steps to a HealthierUS programs in 40 communities address physical inactivity and poor nutrition to reduce obesity and diabetes • VAMCs will partner with Steps to a HealthierUS communities
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Events Across the Country
Washington, DC
Seattle
Boston
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Volunteer Corps
• Open to veterans, family members, and VSO groups • Corps members may promote HealthierUS Veterans special events, Fitness Challenges and the President’s Challenge
Fit for Life
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My HealtheVet
• My HealtheVet offers tools for tracking food intake and physical activity • Website: www.myhealth.va.gov
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Ideas for Activities at VAMCs
• Establish walking trails on facility grounds • Post reminders about taking the stairs near elevators; brighten/enhance stairwells • Sponsor “lunch & learns” with healthy food and information about good nutrition and physical activity • Organize farmers’ markets
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Partnering with Community Organizations
• Possible activities – Community and VAMC “Walk and Roll” events – Share partnerships with groups such as YMCAs/ YWCAs, etc. – Join walks sponsored by Volksport clubs – Promote healthy eating ideas and teach shopping tips (reading nutrition labels, etc.)
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Evaluation
• Track events and participants to measure outreach for the HealthierUS Veterans initiative. • VA National Center for Prevention will evaluate various initiative components to understand best approaches.
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?
Web Site and Web-based Materials: www.HealthierUSVeterans.va.gov www.move.va.gov Linda.Kinsinger@va.gov