SHIP stories
The Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP)
works with health care providers to help their
patients eat healthier, get more physical activity and
avoid tobacco.
As of June 2011approximately 60 clinics are now
assessing and discussing patient risk behaviors and
referring patients to community resources.
Gruven’ to better health
The Prescription to Wellness: Gruve Activity Program,
funded largely by the Statewide Health Improvement
Program, helped 49 patients increase their health
through daily movement. During the 13-week pilot
program, participants worked with a Mayo Health
System health educator, attended four group
educational sessions, and used Gruve, a device similar
to a pedometer, to increase their daily physical
activity.
As a result of the program, 48 percent of patients lost
at least two pounds, and the total cumulative weight
lost for participants was 176.5 pounds. Thirty-two
participants lost inches from their waist circumference,
and the total cumulative inches lost for participants was
65 inches. Participants also lost a total of 23 percent
body fat.
The Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) works to
improve health through better nutrition, increased physical activity
and decreased commercial tobacco use and exposure. Find out
more at www.health.state.mn.us/ship
“Patients felt very privileged to be part of the
program and it really made the connection that their
primary care doctor cared about them and their
health,” recounted Amy Conner, Wellness Coordinator
at Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato. “Our focus
of the program was to get people more physically
activity and with that came many other benefits such
as improved mental health, better sleep, and increased
energy.”
According to pre- and post-survey results participants
reported improvements in all areas including: increased
quality of sleep, more energy, better physical and
mental health, less pain, less anxiety, and fewer
periods of sadness and depression.
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11/2012