Sentara       Description

Introduction

Healthy Edge, an employee wellness program, was introduced in 1994 to the employees of Sentara Health System, an integrated delivery system, with 60 care-giving sites, physician practices and a managed care organization that serves southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. The challenges of providing a valuable health improvement program to this diverse population are tremendous. The goals of Healthy Edge are to improve health, to reduce unnecessary health care costs, and to enhance productivity. The program includes an annual health risk appraisal, financial and merchandise incentives, self-care programs, on-site fitness classes, presentations, self-learning videos and clinician follow-up of members with cardiovascular and respiratory health risks.  This process is designed  to increase member awareness, knowledge, and self-responsibility. The program is implemented by the Health and Preventive Services staff  plus 60 volunteer “Healthy Edge Champions.”  Funding for Healthy Edge is provided by the employee trust fund. Membership in Healthy Edge is a recognized benefit of employment.

Using knowledge of  behavioral change principles, Healthy Edge Nurses provide targeted  direct mail and telephone contact to members with identified health risk factors.  These interventions have resulted in statistically significant health risk reductions and an impressive decrease in medical claims after 2 years of membership.