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HealthierUS Veterans Linda S. Kinsinger, MD, MPH
Director
VA National Center for Health Promotion
and Disease Prevention
(image: NCP logo) |
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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
(image: HealthierUS Veterans logo)
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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)
(image: stock photo of magnifying glass)
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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
(image: Dept. of Veterans Affairs and HHS logos)
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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
(image: photo of wheelchair athlete)
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www.healthierusveterans.va.gov
(image: screenshot of DVA website featuring HealthierUS Veterans)
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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
(image: screenshot of 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
(image: photo of healthy gentlemen, and wheelchair-bound man)
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Prescription for Health
(image: picture of VA 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
(image: photos of active citizens)
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http://www.healthierusveterans.va.gov/FitnessChallenges.asp
(image: screenshot of
http://www.healthierusveterans.va.gov/FitnessChallenges.asp)
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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
(image: Steps to a HealthierUS logo)
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Events Across the Country
(image: photos of events in Washington, DC, Seattle and Boston)
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Fit for Life 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
(image: Voluntary Service logo)
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My HealtheVet
- My HealtheVet offers tools for tracking food intake and physical activity
- Website: www.myhealth.va.gov
(image: screenshot of 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
(image: photos of produce, man climbing stairs and pretty walking path)
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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.)
(image: photo of fruits and vegetables)
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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.
(image: photo of healthy gentlemen)
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Web Site and Web-based Materials:
www.HealthierUSVeterans.va.gov
www.move.va.gov
Linda.Kinsinger@va.gov
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