Walking for wellness is the new mantra of Bay County government. Commissioners will consider the new wellness initiative Tuesday at their regular meeting.

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HEALTH CHALLENGE: County Pushes Employees to Wellness at 3.5 Miles Daily

May 8, 2015
By: Dave Rogers

Walking for wellness is the new mantra of Bay County government.

Wellness efforts have included establishing the Wellness Center, educating employees on various health conditions, establishing fitness classes, making fitness equipment available at job sites, quarterly "lunch and learns" and offering reimbursement for participation in fitness events.

Last summer a group of county employees informally walked at lunchtime on a 2.7 mile circuit, leading to a new wellness effort.

And commissioners aren't fooling around with their latest challenge to wipe out couch potato syndrome.

If county employees can trek a marathon style 700,000 steps -- 3.5 miles a day seven days a week for 12 weeks, a total of 294 miles -- they may, if the program is approved, get half the price of a Fitbit or similar product (up to $65).

"In the long run, greater participation in wellness efforts will reduce the costs of chronic and catastrophic illness, as well as to reduce Bay County's overall claim costs," said Kim Coonan, ways and means committee chair.

The employee would have to obtain a log of their steps which can be directly downloaded to a website such as Fitbit.com. Commissioners will consider the new wellness initiative Tuesday at their regular meeting.

"This wellness effort will have a positive impact on numerous employees, resulting in a long-term reduction in chronic illnesses," Coonan added.

He noted that promoting lifestyle changes not only improves health, provides more motivation, higher morale and decreased absenteeism. Fourteen percent of all deaths in the U.S. are attributed to poor diets and/or sedentary lifestyles, Coonan noted.

Coonan and the ways and means committee proposes that the board appropriate $10,000 from the fund balance for athletic supplies for continuing employee wellness efforts.

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