Health Advocacy
In an effort to increase awareness of hypertension and obesity as two serious chronic illnesses, our group suggests an increase in the number of available and accessible blood pressure machines and body weight scales in public spaces. For example, we encourage the placement of these machines in more grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, gas stations/convenience stores, post offices, DMV’s, and libraries. We also highly encourage the placement of blood pressure machines and body weight scales in fast food restaurants. These machines will include clinically-accurate signage that would inform the user of what a healthy weight and blood pressure should be, so that they will know if they are at any risk for developing hypertension and/or obesity.
Furthermore, we suggest that certain public spaces implement the use of an “incentive program” for using these machines, so as to increase the likelihood that patrons will use them. For example, a pharmacy could provide a coupon for a discount on a prescription medication if the customer shows proof (a print-out reading of his/her weight and/or blood pressure) of having used the machine or a grocery store could include a coupon on a healthy food-item when the customer shows proof of having accurately used the machine.
We also suggest the use of a “Corporate Incentive Program” for employers and employees. Specifically, we believe that employers should provide an incentive, whether it be in the form of earned time-off, a reduction in health insurance rates, or a pay bonus, for employees who participate in health screenings, blood pressure readings, and/or weight loss management programs (i.e., Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc.) Employers will benefit from having healthier employees in a variety of ways and can play a large role in advocating for health awareness by adopting such incentive programs for employees.
Furthermore, we suggest that certain public spaces implement the use of an “incentive program” for using these machines, so as to increase the likelihood that patrons will use them. For example, a pharmacy could provide a coupon for a discount on a prescription medication if the customer shows proof (a print-out reading of his/her weight and/or blood pressure) of having used the machine or a grocery store could include a coupon on a healthy food-item when the customer shows proof of having accurately used the machine.
We also suggest the use of a “Corporate Incentive Program” for employers and employees. Specifically, we believe that employers should provide an incentive, whether it be in the form of earned time-off, a reduction in health insurance rates, or a pay bonus, for employees who participate in health screenings, blood pressure readings, and/or weight loss management programs (i.e., Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc.) Employers will benefit from having healthier employees in a variety of ways and can play a large role in advocating for health awareness by adopting such incentive programs for employees.