Monroe County Community Health Needs Implementation Plan Approved May 21, 2013 Mercy Memorial Hospital System Board of Trustees
Chronic Conditions- Diabetes and Obesity CHRONIC CONDITIONS- DIABETES AND OBESITY 1. Improve the ability of patients to self-manage chronic disease. Maintain the MDCH Certified MMHS diabetes self-management program. Determine the feasibility of partnering or providing Michigan Partners on the PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) or Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management programs. 2. Improve access to primary care physicians. Implement the Family Medicine Residency program, with an inaugural class of 6 in 2013. Support the Monroe County federally qualified clinic location. 3. Investigate the feasibility of developing a bariatric surgery or medicine program. Bariatric surgery is associated with improved glucose control in most people with type 2 diabetes, and it is an acceptable intervention in controlling obesity when other measures have failed.
4. Identify overweight, obese, and at-risk patients and provide them with information, guidance and support to adopt healthy behaviors. Partner with primary care physicians to regularly assess patients' body mass index and blood glucose levels. Provide counseling related to weight reduction, nutrition, and physical activity. Create a local referral system to registered dietitians, fitness trainers, parks and recreation facilities, and community activity centers. 5. Encourage women to breastfeed exclusively for six months to reduce the risk of both diabetes and obesity. Through MMHS childbirth education classes promote and provide information about breastfeeding to pregnant and postpartum women. Adopt mother-friendly worksite policies to promote breastfeeding among employees. 6. Educate healthcare providers about strategies to prevent obesity. Provide healthcare professionals continuing education classes on nutrition, breastfeeding and physical activity. Educate healthcare providers on appropriate referrals for patients who need counseling or services to improve their nutrition and physical activity behaviors.
7. Create hospital environments that support healthy eating and physical activity behaviors for staff. Increase the number of fruits and vegetables in the cafeteria and vending machines. Display calorie and key nutrition information at point of purchase for foods served. Provide physical activity opportunities for staff and visitors such as an outdoor walking path. Explore the possibility of partnering with area growers to provide a farmers market at MMHS. Consider developing Stewart Road campus space for an employee, medical staff and volunteer community garden. Continue to provide health insurance discounts for employers who complete lifestyle metrics and awareness education annually. Promote the MMHS M-Powered worksite wellness program for staff.
8. Improve the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of residents of Monroe County related to physical activity, nutrition and smoke-free lifestyles. Implement hospital-sponsored community health programs focused on nutrition, physical activity and prevention of obesity and related chronic diseases. Provide free cholesterol and random glucose testing, blood pressure checks, and body mass index measures at health fairs, trade fairs, and community meal settings in the area of the City of Monroe designated as medically underserved. Provide free or low cost cancer screening. Offer community education on nutrition, physical activity and prevention of obesity and related chronic diseases. Promote healthy lifestyle choices by distributing information, including on the Michigan Healthier Tomorrow program that encourages State residents to lose 10 percent of their body weight.
9. Strengthen partnerships with other organizations to improve the health of Monroe County communities: Continue to be represented and actively involved in: Monroe County Substance Abuse Coalition Human Services Collaborative Network Building Healthy Communities Coalition Child Advocacy Network Aging Blueprint Health and Nutrition Committee Monroe County Environmental Grant Committee Explore a partnership with ProMedica for obesity prevention, with possible elements including: The Healthy Kids Conversation Map program Come to the Table School Food Drive Competition Feeding America Back Pack Partner with schools to provide education about nutrition and exercise Collaborate with the Monroe County Health Department and other organizations for on-going health needs assessment and a communitywide approach for addressing them.