Wellness Works is an outreach program coordinated by the Physical Activity and Health Promotion Lab in the Department of Kinesiology at Iowa State University. Programming is led by students working through internships, independent studies, or class-based service learning programming coordinated through an upper division Kinesiology course (HS 380 - Worksite Health Promotion). The sections below provide some highlights about current programming. Click here to learn more about our team and our approach.
Current Priorities
The Wellness Works initiative has adapted to support an array of worksite programming opportunities (See the About Us or History tabs). We have supported local worksite programming in Ames and Story County by facilitating health fairs, running exercise classes, providing personalized health coaching or staffing fitness centers. However, we adapted during COVID to deliver virtual programming and we haven't looked back. The advantage of virtual programming is that we can reach and support worksites across the state.
Our current focus is on facilitating the delivery of the evidence-based Walk with Ease program in worksite and community settings. The Walk with Ease program was developed by the Arthritis Foundation to help reduce symptoms of arthritis but it is broadly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a lifestyle management program. The ISU PAHP Lab currently leads local and state programming for Walk with Ease in collaboration with the campus U-TuRN network and the Iowa Community HUB. These projects are funded by the CDC to directly serve older adults at risk for falls or for arthritis care. However, walking is beneficial for everyone! Therefore, we have adapted the Walk with Ease program to promote access in community settings and as part of worksite wellness programming.
Our current focus is on facilitating the delivery of the evidence-based Walk with Ease program in worksite and community settings. The Walk with Ease program was developed by the Arthritis Foundation to help reduce symptoms of arthritis but it is broadly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a lifestyle management program. The ISU PAHP Lab currently leads local and state programming for Walk with Ease in collaboration with the campus U-TuRN network and the Iowa Community HUB. These projects are funded by the CDC to directly serve older adults at risk for falls or for arthritis care. However, walking is beneficial for everyone! Therefore, we have adapted the Walk with Ease program to promote access in community settings and as part of worksite wellness programming.
Walk with Ease in the CommunityThe Walk with Ease - Community program is designed to help counties and communities offer a coordinated physical activity program for their residents.
The programming is a free, self-directed program that can be easily managed by a community health leader, county extension office or a committed community leader. While older individuals (60+) can enroll in the self-directed WWE program on their own, the community version is for adults 18 and up that want to establish health habits of physical activity. |
Walk with Ease in the Worksite
The Wellness Works Team has developed a flexible implementation model to enable the Walk with Ease intervention to be delivered through worksites. We create customized registration forms to enable employees to register as a 'Group' in the Self-Directed version of the program. This allows for more effective internal coordination and communication and facilitates team challenges and integration with other worksite programming and incentives. If you are interested in learning more please complete this short form.
Additional details are on the Walk with Ease tab on our website. Click the Button below to go directly to the information about the worksite program.
Additional details are on the Walk with Ease tab on our website. Click the Button below to go directly to the information about the worksite program.
Worksite Wellness Support (BSDI)
Our Wellness Works team has established a collaborative education/research partnership with BSDI (www.BSDIweb.com) that enables us to provide employees at local companies with access to the powerful BSDI worksite wellness programming tool along with the Motivation Alliance suite of programs. The software enables employees within a participating company to set up and monitor health data and track efforts to change lifestyle behaviors. Click here for additional information about how to enroll your company.
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