Camden County Recognized For Strong Health Program

Camden County was named a Silver Award winner at the 13th annual Health at Work Awards hosted by health resources provider ComPysch, county officials announced this week. The county was recognized for its use of on-site wellness coaches and its new program to help smokers quit tobacco.

“What really stands out is how many people are seeing the benefits of this in such a short period of time,” Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services, said. “A lot of these innovations weren’t implemented until very recently, and we’ve already seen hundreds of employees take advantage and start living healthier, happier lives.”

The on-site wellness coaching program began in July of 2016. Since then, a total of 736 employees engaged with the coaching staff about 4,000 times. Those using the program say they have seen significant improvements in four of the most common health risks: blood pressure, lack of exercise, body mass index (BMI) and stress.

From July to December of last, 101 employees had experienced a significant reduction in their blood pressure; nine employees began a new exercise regimen; and 17 had improved their BMI. Those who have consulted with the county’s wellness coach for weight-related issues have already experienced a reduced rate of obesity by 10 percent, and those coached for high blood pressure have experienced a reduction in the rate of hypertension by 66 percent, according to county officials.

The county is not only seeing an improvement in health among its employees, it expects to see a reduction in future healthcare costs. At this point, healthcare costs make up the second-largest expense in the county’s budget.

“We really want all of our employees to take advantage of this program, especially now that they’ve seen the results it produces and how much it has helped their peers,” Rodriguez said. “Our goal is to constantly be trying new ways to innovate the system, and get our people the best service we can.”

The Health at Work Awards are sponsored by ComPsych and its HealthyGuidance program. Winners were selected based on their wellness program’s comprehensiveness, delivery, promotion, participation rates and results achieved.

ComPsych Corporation is the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs and is the pioneer and worldwide leader of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR, FMLA and absence management services under its Guidance Resources brand.

Patch file photo