Ochsner has embarked on an ambitious project to transform the health and wellness of our community, using schools as the focal point of our interactions. Research has proven that many chronic health problems, such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension, are primarily caused by lifestyle choices. In order to reduce chronic disease in our community, we need to change the choices and behaviors of our children and their families through exercise, nutrition and promotion of preventative health behaviors. Change the Kids, Change the Future™ is an overarching philosophy guiding Ochsner’s work in this area. By working to alleviate the cause instead of the symptoms, we can affect meaningful, lasting change the health and wellness of our community.
A State and Nation in Crisis
- Louisiana ranks at the bottom among other states in the nation in all health indicators: diabetes, hypertension, obesity.
- Disease caused by diabetes, hypertension and obesity is widespread and will only continue to get worse if the next generation does not intervene.
- From 2001-2006, the mean annual health care expenditure for obese adults increased from $3,458 to $5,148.
- Childhood obesity is estimated to cost $14 billion annually in direct healthcare expenditures.
- The traditional model of healthcare in the United States must change from disease management to preventative health for children and families.
Children in Crisis
- At 35.9%, Louisiana has the 7th highest rate of overweight youth, ages 10-17.
- The number of children ages 2-19 who were given a primary or secondary diagnosis of obesity nearly doubled from 1999 to 2005.
- Four out of five children (80%) that are overweight at ages 10-15 will be obese adults at age 25.
- The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes is estimated to be about 30% for boys and 40% for girls who were born in the US in 2000.
Change the Kids, Change the Future™ is a fully integrated approach in the schools that encompasses education and lifestyle changes for students, staff and families to improve the health of the next generation. The program focuses on nutrition, exercise and healthy eating habits, all of which set the stage for children's ongoing behavior. Using our expertise in research and academics, we can also track the initiative's outcomes. We also have a public policy impact through advocacy efforts.
Ochsner has partnered with Jefferson Parish Public Schools to improve the health and wellness of students, teacher and staff. As a pilot for Ochsner's Change the Kids, Change the Future™ campaign, this program is the first of its kind for the hospital. The program includes:
School-based Health Center
Ochsner and Jefferson Parish Public Schools have created an on-site clinic for students, teachers and staff at Bonnabel High School in Kenner and John Ehret High School in Marrero. Ochsner staffs a nurse practitioner there five days a week and a pediatrician four hours a week. The clinic also provides its patients with a full time social worker. As a fully functioning medical office, the clinic is able to see patients who walk in or schedule an appointment for a variety of medical and psychological needs.
Nutrition and Fitness Programs
Ochsner's Elmwood Fitness Center and Kenner Hospital have teamed up to offer a variety of programs and services for students, teachers and staff. This spring, the Elmwood Fitness Center "Biggest Loser" program debuted for the school's teachers. Ten teachers lost a combined total of 224 pounds in eight weeks. Through the Military Training program, 15 students increased their strength performance by more than 40 percent in four weeks. In addition to fitness programs, Ochsner also offers nutrition seminars and medical screenings to teachers and staff. Plans for the 2009-2010 school year include a partnership with Bonnabel PE teachers and Elmwood Fitness Center to improve the PE curriculum. Ochsner will also provide a stipend for one of the PE teachers to become a certified personal trainer. To improve the school's nutrition, Ochsner and Bonnabel will work to make the snacks and culinary class meals healthier for students and staff.
Student Wellness Councils
As an outgrowth of the Humana Grant (see below), Student Wellness Committees were created at six Jefferson Parish Schools. The committees comprise students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members. Using tools from the Healthy Schools Program at the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the Wellness Committees assessed their individual schools and developed and implemented action plans to make their schools a healthier place to learn and work.
Humana Grant
To further expand the Change the Kids, Change the Future™ program, Ochsner received a generous grant from the Humana Foundation. With the grant, Ochsner expanded the partnership with Jefferson Parish Public Schools by assessing the health and physical education practices in each of the 85 schools in the system and identifying best practice programs. Additionally, six pilot schools were chosen to implement changes in physical and health education, employee wellness, school lunch programs and health messaging in schools.
Bee Fit Program
Ochsner and the Hornets have partnered to launch the Ochsner Bee Fit program designed to teach the importance of physical fitness and nutrition in an effort to fight childhood obesity. The online component of the program features demonstration videos with Hornets’ players and Elmwood Fitness Center trainers, recipes for healthy, kid-friendly meals and tips to lead a healthy lifestyle. In addition, Ochsner and the Hornets host Fit for Life Field Days and featuring organized outdoor activities that teach the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Learn more about the Ochsner Bee Fit Program
I Can Do It/On the Move
The I Can Do It! childhood obesity initiative began in 2001 at Ochsner's Elmwood Fitness Center as a program to help at-risk children due to obesity and inactivity adopt healthy lifestyles. In 2007, Ochsner launched its customized mobile fitness unit On the Move to travel the region encouraging healthy nutrition and active lifestyles for all children. On the Move includes strength and cardiovascular circuit workouts, nutrition lectures, and heart-healthy cooking classes and demonstrations by Elmwood's executive chef Marc Gilberti, and is designed to teach parents and kids how to incorporate healthier foods and behaviors into their lifestyle. On the Move engages more than 1,000 children per year at area schools during regularly scheduled visits.
Visit Elmwood Fitness Center's Web site to find out more about On the Move.
Mental Health Plan for Schools
Mental Health Plan for Schools (MHPS) is a project of Ochsner’s Child Psychiatry Department in partnership with several charter schools in the Central City area of New Orleans. MHPS is a systematic effort to promote mental wellness, provide early detection of mental health and behavior problems, and establish a network of community intervention services for schools. MHPS also provides direct and consultative psychiatric services one half day per week at pilot schools. In addition to the direct work with children, the program will also include professional development modules for teachers and staff which will help them better identify, understand and deal with mental health issues.
Learn more about Mental Health Plan for Schools
Promising Practices
Schools can provide a healthy environment for students, teachers and families to learn and experience the benefits of healthy physical activity, good nutrition and improved wellness. Through a generous grant from the Humana Foundation, Ochsner surveyed 85 schools in the Jefferson Parish Public School System and identified promising practices (methods, techniques and activities) to improve the health and wellness of students, teachers, faculty/staff and families.
Learn more about the promising practices of school wellness that local leaders from Jefferson Parish are doing!
News
May 14, 2010 - Ochsner received a grant from Humana to expand its Change The Kids, Change The Future initiatives
Read more
Click to view photos of the check presentation
