Making the Connection:Health and Student Achievement

Shane McNeillOffice of Healthy Schools

Staff Wellness Component

Coordinated Approach to School Health

Coordinated School Health Program

Physical Education

Health Education

Health Services

NutritionServices

Health Education

Healthy School Environment

HealthPromotionfor Staff

Family and Community Involvement

Every day in Mississippi, we have an opportunity to reach…

494,590 public school students 152 School Districts 618 Elementary Schools/225 Secondary

Schools Over 64,300 adults work as teachers,

school building staff, or school district staff

Is school health the missing link to school improvement?

Why Staff Wellness?

Health Promotion for Staff

Teachers who participated in a health promotion program focusing on exercise, stress management, and nutrition reported:

Increased participation in exercise and lower weight

Better ability to handle job stress

A higher level of general well-being

Blair, Collingwood, Reynolds,Smith, Hagan and Sterling, 1984

Academic Achievement

Staff absenteeism = Substitute teacher Discipline referrals increase Lack of Continuity Quality of teaching Costs to School Districts

Nutrition and Fitness

Improve attendance Improve energy levels Improve participation

Responsibility!

School staff serves as role models for students

Efficiency of School Staff Wellness Matters

Devastating Consequences of Doing Nothing

Today’s generation of American children may be the first in

modern history to live shorter lives than their parents

U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona March 2, 2004

The Hidden Costs

Extra staff time needed for students with low academic performance or behavior problems caused by poor nutrition and physical inactivity.

Costs associated with time and staff needed to administer medications needed by students with associated health problems.

Healthcare costs, absenteeism, and lower productivity due to the effects of poor nutrition, inactivity and overweight among school employees.

Mississippi Budget Consequences

Obesity-related costs $757 million dollars per year, over half of those expenses were paid by Medicaid

and Medicare.

Why Are Healthcare Premiums Increasing?

Increased Utilization

43%

Healthcare Price Increases in Excess of Inflation

30%

General Inflation27%

Source: PricewaterhouseCoopersThe Factors Fueling Rising Healthcare Costs 2006

Why Utilization Is Increasing?

More people are getting treated for

more things

Lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, smoking

and stress

Changing thresholds for diagnosing and treating diseases

such as diabetes and hypertension

Innovation – new drug and medical

equipment technologies

3 Keys to Success

• Keep It Simple: Focus on a few key issues; aim for high participation rates

• Communicate Effectively: Build infrastructure for future success

• Reward Healthy Behaviors: Celebrate success

Know Your Population’s Needs

Physical activityHealthy eatingWeight management

Set Realistic Goals and Objectives

GOALS• Faculty and staff will be more active• Faculty and staff will improve eating habits

OBJECTIVES• At least 40% of faculty and staff will complete 8-

week physical activity challenge• Healthy food items will be labeled in cafeteria

and vending machines

Evaluate Your Resources

In Your School• Ways to communicate• Health teachers, physical education teachers,

food service professionals, school nurses, others• Resources provided by Bower FoundationIn Your Community• Non-profit health agencies• Local hospitals• Home extension service

Involve the “Right” People

People who want to be involvedThose with access to resourcesDecision makersRepresentative Committee

• Meet monthly• Identify opportunities• Coordinate baby steps• Build infrastructure

Develop a 3-Year Strategy

YEAR 1• Start with small simple steps• Focus on participation, and measure it• Focus on FUNYEAR 2• Build on success• Focus on outcomes, and measure themYEAR 3• Continue to build on success• Tell your school’s story to others

DO SOMETHING

Even little things make a difference when done consistently over time.Don’t let what you can do keep you from doing what you can do.Success breeds success.

OHS Initiatives to Support Staff Wellness

School Wellness Policy John D. Bower, M.D. School Health

Network Health is Academic Start-Up Grant Vending Machine Case Study Vending Machine Guidelines Guide for developing Communicable

Disease Policy

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Preventionwww.cdc.gov