Since its launch in 2006, the liveWELL program has demonstrated 10 years of health improvements for faculty and staff. That translates into improved performance and value to the University of Iowa.
UI Wellness is committed to developing and sustaining a healthy campus culture with specific goals to improve faculty and staff health and organizational performance through an integrated approach to health management. Read on to learn more about a health series that deals with resilience.
Sustained high participation in the Personal Health Assessment survey shows improvements for campus in areas such as nutrition, exercise, stress, and rates of smoking. These behaviors help prevent costly chronic health conditions that are detrimental to performance at work and overall happiness and engagement.
Additionally, the PHA measures a culture of health. For example, in 2016, 85 percent of the 13,240 faculty and staff participants indicated that their supervisor supports health and wellness within their work unit.
Highlights since the 2006 launch:
- Over 27,600 faculty and staff have interacted with liveWELL.
- The program has received seven national and regional awards.
- The Personal Health Assessment participation rate has been at 73 percent the past four years.
- Ninety-seven percent of respondents report being smoke free.
- Good nutrition is the most notable health improvement area, with 43 percent reporting healthy eating in 2006 and 66 percent in 2016.
- Sixty-eight percent of UI faculty and staff are within the “Thriving” category, according to the Gallup Well-Being Index.
“From a University perspective, it is important to ensure our campus community members have access to services that enhance overall well-being as we know the linkages to improved performance and outcomes are clear,” says Tom Rocklin, UI vice president for student life. “Healthier individuals do better at their jobs and academics, which creates a stronger sense of engagement in our important work at the university. I have been a participant in health coaching as well as an early morning exerciser at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. I can attest to the difference in energy, mood, and stamina when I keep to a regular routine. The value of a healthy mind and body is priceless.”
Read the full 2016 liveWELL Annual Report.
Registration is now open for spring group coach series Resilience 101
Join Coach Carla Melby-Oetken for four sessions to gain stress-management skills and tips to help you bounce back quickly from life’s challenges. To learn more about the many topics covered in this series, visit Building Resiliency@Iowa.
Section 1: Wednesdays at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC)
Noon to 12:45 p.m.
March 22 and 29, April 5 and 12
CRWC Wellness Conference Room, E119K
Section 2: Fridays at UI Health Care
Noon to 12:45 p.m.
March 24 and 31, April 7 and 14
Melrose Conference Dining Center, Conference Room
Eligibility: Free to UI staff and faculty in 50 percent or greater regular positions. Priority will be given to those who have not participated in health coaching within the last 12 months.
To sign up, or for more information, contact liveWELL at livewell@uiowa.edu or 319-353-2973.