01-31-85 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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NEALTNY PF.OPLE PAOGRAM RESULTS The Healthy People wellness program was developed to conpliment the existing Park and Recreation offerings for the eitiee of Mounde View and New Brighton. The proqrem was lnitiated oecember 1983. The program ehue far, was succeasful to the extent that it served to initiate an imaqe change toward a more comprehensive 'wellness' concept, and it generated opportunities for individuals to increase awareness of good health practices and participate in positive behavior change activities. An aggressive marketing strategy served to disseminate quality materials to the residents, local media and area businesses, churches, and schools. The development of program materials, theme, logo and reward syetem went well. The community needa were assessed and pilot classes were offered in response to these needa. The participant responae was 50-708 of offerings being filled, with a gradual increase over the first three sesaions. This was consistent with the national statistic that statea; a new health class o££erings requires three consecutive offeringe to allow adequate participation io meintain s proqram. This ia also similiarly related to the three documented stages of consumer behavior, being; awareness, peraonal responsibili,y and choice; and action. � A marketing strategy was implemented with the idea that "the ability to offer a quality service is simply not enough to achieve success. Marketing and promotion is required." (MOdern Marketinq, 1979) The average American is exposed to over 1,000 ads daily, most of which never break through their perceptual screens. New ads need to be exposed as many as nine times for awareness and action to occuz. (USA Today, 1984) The identified Healthy People population who compiled the majority of participanis was consistent with the national siatistic that tells us the trend is for 30-CS year old male and specifically females and the over 65 year old, who are increasingly becoming an important consumer segment. (MOd. Mar.) I would add that the pre-school progzams are well attended also. liighlights of the program include enthusiastic support by the participants and individual desire expressed toward psoitive li£estyle change. Positive response to [he reward system of point accumulation and t-shirt distribution for recognition. Znereased awareness of qood health practices by the staff of the two cities involved, and several articles covering the program by the Mpls. and St. Paul papers and 'Minneaoia Cities' journal Emphasizing the innovation by a municipal sector implementfng a wellness proqram. The Healthy People Wellness Fair in Feb. 1984 pzovided momentum and enthusiasm � for the program �-