Thomas Health Systemthomaswv.org/pdfs/Community Health Plan Thomas...10 -17 yr -olds 18.5% 13 Low Income 2 -4s 14.0% 21 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey - High School Results Percentage

2014 -2015

Thomas Health System Community Health Plan for Kanawha County

The top issues identified through the Kanawha Coalition for Community Health Improvement’s Community Health Needs Assessment are listed in the table below. The top three issues will be the focus of the Coalition through Year

2017.

Rank Issue Average

Score

1 Obesity/Overweight/Poor Eating Habits 34.309

2 Drugs/Prescription & Illicit 33.265

3 Lack of Physical Activity 32.853

4 Heart Disease/High Blood Pressure 31.618

5 Tobacco Use/Second hand Smoke Exposure 31.206

6 Educational Attainment/High School Dropout 30.029

7 Unemployment/Jobs/Poverty 28.838

8 Cancer 28.765

9 Lung Disease/Asthma/COPD 28.750 ***Graphs on this page taken unchanged from the 2014 Kanawha County Community Needs Assessment

PRIORITY # 1: Obesity/Overweight/Poor eating habits

PRIORITY # 2: Drug Abuse (Illicit and Prescription Drugs)

PRIORITY # 3: Lack of Physical Activity

In addition Thomas Health System also selected to focus on the following areas:

(Identified in the Kanawha Coalition for Community Health Improvement’s Community Health Needs Assessment)

PRIORITY # 4: Heart Disease/High Blood Pressure

PRIORITY # 5: Tobacco Use/Second hand Smoke Exposure

PRIORITY # 6: Lung Disease/Asthma/COPD

View Full Report: http://www.healthykanawha.org/2014Assessment/Final_2014_Assessment_Report.pdf

http://www.healthykanawha.org/2014Assessment/Final_2014_Assessment_Report.pdf

May 2014

Dear Kanawha County Residents, As the Kanawha Coalition for Community Health Improvement enters its 20th year, we continue to align our work with the health issues

that are of greatest concern to Kanawha County residents. Since our beginning in 1994, the Kanawha Coalition has conducted a

countywide Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years to identify the needs of Kanawha County residents, the

extent to which those needs are being met, and to identify opportunities to improve the overall health status of our county. Our

Steering Committee, lower right, guides this assessment process. We rely on community volunteers to carry

out the components of the assessment which include: (1) household opinion surveys, (2) a survey of key

community leaders, (3) focus groups and (4) the analysis of statistical data. We just completed our 6th

triennial CHNA in April 2014.

On behalf of the Kanawha Coalition, I would like to thank the amazing community volunteers for their hours

of work over the past few months. This includes the support provided by the University of Charleston,

School of Health Sciences who allowed their Senior Nursing Students to make phone calls, conduct focus

groups and assist with the Health Issues Forum.

Community input is an important component of the Kanawha Coalition’s Community Health Needs

Assessment. We would like to thank the 302 randomly selected households and 85 community leaders for taking part in this year’s

assessment. We also thank the 39 individuals who participated in our focus groups to help us learn more about the concerns among our

African American community members, single-parents and senior citizens. Your thoughtful consideration about the health needs and

special challenges that face our County enriched our process.

As a result of our comprehensive assessment we were able to bring to light many factors that

influence health. At our County Health Issues Forum in April, community members took into

consideration issues including educational attainment, high school drop-out, unemployment, jobs

and poverty, along with the many chronic diseases that are prevalent in our community such as

cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, lung disease, and asthma, and health risk behaviors

such as obesity, overweight, poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and tobacco use. The top

priorities for the Kanawha Coalition are 1) Obesity/Nutrition; 2) Drug Abuse; and 3) the Lack

of Physical Activity.

We will use the findings of our CHNA to develop strategies that address our community’s priorities and improve the health of the people

of Kanawha County. We know that with all of us working together, we can create a healthier, safer community. Please read this

overview and consider joining our efforts!

Warm Regards,

Judith M. Crabtree Executive Director, Kanawha Coalition

Kanawha County

Community Health Needs Assessment

Executive Summary

Matthew Ballard Charleston Area Alliance

John Ballengee United Way of Central West Virginia

Martha Cook Carter FamilyCare HealthCenter

Adam Flack Wellness Council of West Virginia

Stephen Dexter Thomas Health Systems

Ronald Duerring, Ph.D. Kanawha County Schools

Rahul Gupta, M.D. Kanawha-Charleston Health Department

Brenda Grant Charleston Area Medical Center

Brenda Isaac Kanawha County Schools

Drema Pierson Thomas Health Systems

Cynthia Persily Highland Hospital

David Ramsey Charleston Area Medical Center

David Shapiro Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC

69% rated the educational system as Good, Very Good, or Excellent. This is consistent with prior assessment results.

Overall how would you rate your community for walking?

Poor, 14%

Fair, 18%

Good, 29%

Very Good, 22%

Excellent, 17%

Kanawha County is BETTER than the state average for the following health indicators:

Social and/or Economic Factors • Unemployment rate • Population in poverty • Children in poverty • Per capita income • Uninsured (adult & child) • Violent crime

Health Behaviors • Excessive drinking • Tobacco usage • Physical inactivity • Fruit/vegetable consumption

Clinical Care • Access to primary care • Federally Qualified Health Centers • Health professional shortage areas • Preventable hospital events

Health Screenings • Cervical cancer screening • Colon cancer screening

Dental Care • Dental care utilization (adult)

Vaccinations • Pneumonia vaccines (Age 65+)

Physical Environment • Air quality • Liquor store access • Park access • Recreation and fitness facility access • Use of public transportation

Health Outcomes • Asthma prevalence • Diabetes prevalence • Heart disease mortality • Infant mortality • Lung disease mortality • Motor vehicle crash death • Obesity (adult) • Dental health • General health (self-reported) • Population with any disability

2014 Household Survey Respondents How would you describe Kanawha County as a place to live?

Excellent, 21%

Good, 46%

Fair, 29%

Poor, 9%

How would you rate the quality of the educational system in Kanawha County?

Overall how would you rate your community on the availability of safe places for children to play?

2014 2011

Excellent 12% 11%

Very Good 19% 16%

Good 35% 27%

Fair 19% 27%

Poor 15% 19%

WORKSITE WELLNESS 39% (115) of the 2014 phone survey respondents were employed compared to 45% in 2011. Although fewer respondents were employed, a larger percent said they had worksite wellness programs where they worked. Worksite Wellness Programs 2014 2011

Obtain regular medical checkups 46% 26%

Obtain health care screening 41% 28%

Improve dietary habits 45% 25%

Obtain health information at the worksite 28% 23%

Smoking cessation 39% 19%

Increase physical activity 31% 24%

HEALTH CONCERNS

The Kanawha Coalition for Community Health Improvement asked residents and community leaders their top environmental, community issues, risky behaviors, health problems and clinical care issues.

They are:

Environmental Issues (The “built” environment)

1. Chemicals/Pollution

2 .Infrastructure (water, sewage, electric, roads)

3 .Parks, greenspace, walking and biking paths

4. Housing (Cost of utilities/rent deposits)

Clinical Care

1. Healthcare professional shortages

2. Health insurance

3. Need for free clinics

4. Affordability of healthcare services

Risky Behaviors

1. Drugs

2. Lack of exercise

3. Poor eating habits

4. Tobacco use

Community Issues (Social & Economic)

1. Unemployment/Jobs

2. Educational obtainment

3. Poverty

4. Crime

Health Problems

1. Obesity/overweight

2. Diabetes

3. Heart Disease/High Blood Pressure

4. Lung Disease

Kanawha County is WORSE than the state average for the following health indicators:

Social Economic Factors • Education • Households receiving public

assistance • Adequate social support

Health Screenings • Breast cancer screening • HIV screening

Physical Environment • Fast food restaurant access • Grocery store access • SNAP-authorized food store

access • WIC-authorized food store

access Health Outcomes

• Accident mortality • Breast cancer incidence • Cancer mortality • Chlamydia incidence • Colon and rectum cancer

incidence • Gonorrhea incidence • Heart disease prevalence • HIV prevalence • Homicide • Low birth weight • Lung cancer incidence • Overweight (adult) • Pedestrian motor vehicle

death • Premature deaths • Prostate cancer incidence • Stroke mortality • Suicide

State Ranking

Source: 2014 F as in Fat Report

Rank Issue Average Score 1 Obesity/Overweight/Poor Eating Habits 34.309 2 Drugs/Prescription & Illicit 33.265 3 Lack of Physical Activity 32.853 4 Heart Disease/High Blood Pressure 31.618 5 Tobacco Use/Second hand Smoke Exposure 31.206 6 Educational Attainment/High School Dropout 30.029 7 Unemployment/Jobs/Poverty 28.838 8 Cancer 28.765 9 Lung Disease/Asthma/COPD 28.750

Obesity rate among: Rate Rank

Adults 33.8% 4

High Schoolers 14.6% 12

10-17 yr-olds 18.5% 13

Low Income 2-4s 14.0% 21

2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey - High School Results Percentage of students who drank a can, bottle, or glass of soda or pop one or more times per day during the past seven days 38.0%

Percentage of students who drank a can, bottle, or glass of soda or pop two or more times per day during the past seven days 29.5%

Percentage of students who were trying to lose weight 50.0% Percentage of students who described themselves as slightly or very overweight 35.6% Percentage of students who were overweight (i.e. at or above the 85th percentile but below the 95th percentile for body mass index, by age and sex) 15.5%

Percentage of students who were obese (i.e. at or above the 95th percentile for body mass index, by age and sex) 15.6%

The top issues identified through the Kanawha Coalition for Community Health Improvement’s Community Health Needs Assessment are listed in the table below. The top three issues will be the focus of the Coalition through Year 2017.

Health Priorities

PRIORITY # 1: Obesity/Overweight/Poor eating habits

2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey High School Results Percentage of students who used marijuana one or more times during their life 39.0% Percentage of students who tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 years 9.1% Percentage of students who used marijuana one or more times during the past 30 days 18.9% Percentage of students who used any form of cocaine, including powder, crack, or freebase one or more times during their life 5.2%

Percentage of students who sniffed glue, breathed the contents of aerosol spray cans, or inhaled any paints or sprays to get high one or more times during their life 9.2%

Percentage of students who used heroin one or more time during their life 2.1% Percentage of students who used methamphetamines one or more times during their life 3.6% Percentage of students who used ecstasy one or more time during their life 4.9% Percentage of students who took steroid pills or shots without a doctor’s prescription one or more times during their life 3.6%

Percentage of students who have taken a prescription drug (such as OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, codeine, Adderall, Ritalin, or Xanax) without a doctor’s prescription one or more times during their life 16.5%

Percentage of students who used a needle to inject any illegal drug into their body one or more times during their life 2.1%

Percentage of students who were offered, sold, or given an illegal drug by someone on school property during the past 12 months 17.1%

Household Survey Respondents 91% of respondents ranked being overweight as a big problem in Kanawha County, 84% also indicated poor eating habits as a major concern.

12% of respondents said they had over 3 sugar-sweetened drinks per day. 46% ate at fast food restaurants one or more time per week.

Key Informants (Community Leaders) Barriers and challenges cited by key informant respondents include:

• Deeply rooted culture and personal habits • A “fast food” mentality • Easy access to sugary drinks and snacks • Lack of awareness about good nutrition • Lack of adult roles models • Lack of adequate funding allocated by

leadership to address these issues

Focus Group Participants African American Lack of grocery stores within walking distance in communities where they live.

Single Parents Lack of affordable healthy foods (too expensive). Limited information about resources for healthy foods. Need for community gardens.

Senior Citizens Lack of information about who provides healthy foods to seniors.

PRIORITY # 2: Drug Abuse (Illicit and Prescription Drugs)

Health Priorities PRIORITY # 1 Continued

PRIORITY # 2 Continued

Drug Consequences

Source: WV Health Care Authority *There are 55 counties in WV: 1st highest rate and 55th lowest rate

Source: WV Health Statistics Center, Vital Statistics System *There are 55 counties in WV: 1st highest rate and 55th lowest rate

Source: WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence Note: All indicators are self-reported from the survivor.

Methamphetamine Lab Seizures

Methamphetamine lab seizures jumped 85 percent in West Virginia in 2013 as police discovered the illegal drug-making operations in 45 of West Virginia’s 55 counties. Authorities seized 533 meth labs, compared to 288 in 2012, according to a West Virginia State Police report. Kanawha County led the state with 159 meth lab seizures, followed by 36 in Wood County, 28 in Putnam County, 27 in Upshur County, 21 in Mason County, 20 in Cabell County and 19 in Greenbrier County.

Key Informants (Community Leaders)

2012 Morbidity Rates per 10,000 Discharges Kanawha WV Rank in WV Drug Related Diagnosis 584.0 506.5 9

2006-2010 Mortality Rates per 100,000 population Kanawha WV Rank in WV

28.0 26.8 17

Domestic Violence Abusers Served by WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence by Behavioral Health Status in Kanawha County in 2012 Number Served Percent of Number Served Substance abuse identified as contributing to abuse 999 29.8%

KEY INFORMANT COMMENTS The barriers and challenges contributing to drug abuse mentioned most often by key informants include: lack of prevention, treatment and recovery programs; overprescribing by doctors; need for stiffer penalties or bigger consequences for those who abuse or provide drugs; poverty and lack of meaningful employment opportunities; lack of education; and a lack of coordinated efforts to address all of these issues.

A majority of key informants pointed to a need for concerted investment by leadership for drug addiction treatment and recovery programs. Also, the need for prevention education beginning in early childhood and continuing through adulthood was emphasized. They suggested stiffer penalties including required drug screenings for pregnant women and for people receiving government assistance, and closer collaboration among child protective services and the judicial system to avoid giving parental rights back to those who continue to abuse drugs. Several respondents mentioned the need for stronger regulations for doctors who over prescribe pain medications. They expressed a desire to see more viable employment options, job skills training, and a more diverse economy that did not rely so much on the coal industry. They felt these jobs would deter all types of risky behaviors.

Health Priorities

PRIORITY # 3: Lack of Physical Activity

PRIORITY # 2 Continued

Household Survey Respondents

2014: 285 Respondents with margin of error 5.80 (+ or -) Risky Behavior

Percentage Ranking as “ 4 or 5” (big problem)

2014 Percent difference

(From 2011)

2011 2006 2002-03

1998 1995

Misuse prescription drugs

81% 5% 76% 59% * * *

Illegal drug use 66% (6%) 72% 79% 65% 77% 72% *Not asked **1995-2003 surveys included all ages under alcohol use All time high Focus Group Comments

Senior Citizens Safety was a concern. Mentioned most often were home break-ins and drug-related crimes in the community.

Physical Activity (Adult)

Adults engaging in regular physical activity

69.9% (2010) 67.8% (2009) 74.9% (2007) 67.5% (2005)

Adults engaging in 30+ minutes of moderate physical activity 5 or more days/wk or 20+ minutes of vigorous activity 3 or more days/wk

23.3% (2011) 24.1% (2010) 15.8% (2009) 18.9% (2007) 17.5% (2005)

Exercise: During the past month, did you participate in any physical activities?

68.6% (2011) 69.9% (2010) 67.8% (2009) 69.5% (2008) 74.9% (2007) 76.8% (2006) 67.5% (2005)

Participated in 150 minutes or more of Aerobic Physical Activity per week 48.4% (2011)

Participated Muscle Strengthening exercises more than twice per week 20.8% (2011)

Participated in enough Aerobic and Muscle Strengthening exercises to meet guidelines 14.0% (2011)

Health Priorities

PRIORITY #3 Continued

Physical Activity (WV High School Students)

Percentage of students who were physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on 7 of the past seven days

31.0% (2013) 29.0% (2011) 22.6% (2009) 26.3% (2007) 17.8% (2005)

Percent of students who did not attend physical education classes in an average week (when in school)

64.3% (2011) 67.4% (2009) 66.8% (2007) 63.8% (2005)

Percent of students who watch TV 3 or more hours per day

32.9% (2013) 31.2% (2011) 31.5% (2009) 32.0% (2007)

Percent of students who played video or computer games or used a computer for something that was not school work 3+ hours per day on an average school day

41.6% (2013) 32.2% (2011) 24.1% (2009) 27.7% (2007)

Youth who did not play on sports teams

47.9% (2013) 43.1% (2011) 47.8% (2009) 48.2% (2007) 48.1% (2005) 47.3% (2003)

Health Priorities

PRIORITY #3 Continued

Household Survey Respondents

Household Survey Respondents 85% of household respondents said that lack of exercise was a top problem in Kanawha County. 52% of respondents reported having participated in leisure time or recreational activities during the past month, a decrease from 63% of respondents in 2011. Only 27% of respondents said they had participated in vigorous activities during the past month, a decrease from 37% from respondents in 2011. Of the 125 respondents in 2014 who were employed, 68% said they were mostly sedentary (sat or stood) while at work. 40% of respondents said they spent 4 or more hours per day watching television or playing video games. 16% of these respondents reported 6 or more hours of “screen time” per day, double the percent of household respondents in 2011 (8%).

Key Informants (Community Leaders)

Focus Group Participants

African American • Need for safe places to walk (poor lighting, lack of sidewalks, speeding traffic) • Lack of police presence made them “uneasy” about letting children play outside

Key informants expressed a need for additional safe walking and biking paths (sidewalks, bike trails, etc.) in Kanawha County. The lack of green spaces and parks within walking distance of neighborhoods was also a concern. They acknowledged that some places in Kanawha County’s geography makes it more difficult to walk and bike and that in rural communities the lack of space and money to build recreational facilities was probably a factor. However, respondents indicated that they mostly felt the barriers to improvements were the cost of improvements, the lack of investment by city and county leaders and competing priorities. Key informants also pointed to a general apathy among the public and lack of interest by residents.

Key informants suggested better cooperation and interaction among city, county and state officials. A countywide plan that could be accomplished in stages was recommended. Several said the County Commission and other sources should make it a priority for their funding. It was suggested that funding be made available to towns that will spend it specifically on safe places for children to be active, such as parks, playgrounds, and community gyms.

Health Priorities

The Kanawha Coalition’s Assessment Process

Hard copies of the full 2014 Community Health Needs Assessment and Executive Summary are available upon request. The report can also be

viewed and downloaded at www.healthykanawha.org.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.healthykanawha.org/

PO Box 1547 Charleston, WV 25326

(304) 388-7557

[email protected]

www.healthykanawha.org

MISSION: To identify and evaluate health risks and coordinate resources to measurably improve the health of the people of Kanawha County.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.healthykanawha.org/

Thomas Health System Summary

Prime of Life helped a total of 1387 people in 2013 and in 2014 that increased to 2650 which is a 91% growth rate

The Prime of Life also provided free flu vaccine to the community in 2014 provided 2181 doses to people ages 2 years

and up

Thomas Memorial Hospital in conjunction with the Foundation for Saint Francis and Thomas Memorial Hospital

provided an additional 500 doses at their annual drive thru flu vaccine clinic

Thomas Health System through the Health Promotions Department have actively participated in several community

partnerships in 2014 and this will be continued in 2015 – Healthy Cross Lanes, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra,

Moveit WV and Highmark “Fun, Fit and Fabulous”

2013 Thomas Health System through the Health Promotions Department provided a variety of health related service to

different area businesses (totaling 56) in 2014 that number increased to a (total of 126 businesses) which is a 125%

growth rate

The Prime of Life and the Health Promotions Department is actively seeking 3 new grant opportunities in 2015

Community Partnerships

Partnership with Healthy Cross Lanes

Healthy Cross Lanes promotes - HEALTHY FOOD – FITNESS – PSYCHOLOGICAL & EMOTIONAL WELLBEING – SPIRITUAL GROWTH

– SAFETY – DENTAL & MEDICAL CARE – SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION – EDUCATION – EMPLOYMENT – COMMUNITY

GARDEN.

February 22nd, 2014 Community Health Fair at Cross Lanes United Methodist Church

• Registered Diabetic Educator – Healthy eating and diabetes education

• Registered Nurse – Provided education on how to make better fast food choices

• Wellness Blood Work – Free Cholesterol panel offered

• Blood Pressure Screens

• Stroke Screens

April 16th, 2014 Community Dinner at Cross Lanes United Methodist Church

• Registered Diabetic Educator – Healthy Eating and Diabetes Education



• Blood Glucose Checks

• Provided free glucose meters to those expressing a need for one

May 28th, 2014 Community Dinner at Cross Lanes United Methodist Church






August 16th, 2014 Back to School Bash (focusing on families with children) at Cross Lanes United Methodist Church

• Registered Dietician – Healthy eating alternatives

• Registered Diabetic Educator – Diabetic education


• Wellness Blood Work – No Cost Cholesterol panel offered




• Stroke Screens (No cost review by a THSPP Neurologist)

• Advanced Patient Advocates to educate and enroll people in the ACA as appropriate

November 1st, 2014 Annual Community Health Fair at Cross Lanes United Methodist Church

• Registered Diabetic Educator – Healthy eating and diabetes education


• Wellness Blood Work – Free Cholesterol panel offered


• Stroke Screens (No cost review by a THSPP Neurologist)


Thomas Health System will continue this community partnership with Healthy Cross Lanes in 2015

Partnership with West Virginia Symphony Orchestra

March 15th, 2014 Family and Children Day – Mr. Slim Goodbody

The main objectives of "Bodyology" include:

• Teaching students how their amazing body works

• Encouraging students to make better health choices

• To help students attain competencies related to national education standards

What topics does "Bodyology" cover?

During the show students learn about:

• Cells

• The Brain and Nervous System

• The Senses

• The Heart and Circulatory System

• The Lungs and Respiratory System

• The Digestive System

• The Muscular / Skeletal System

• Good Nutrition

• Hygiene

• Fitness

• Obesity Prevention

• Drug and Smoking Prevention

• Self-respect

Thomas Health System reinforced all objectives as listed above by providing the following:

• Registered Diabetic Educator and Registered Dieticians – Healthy eating and diabetes education

• Registered Nurses – Provided education on how to make better fast food choices

• Special educational materials on healthy eating and exercise designed specifically to promote healthy choices

• Coloring books on drug tobacco abstinence

• Wellness Blood Work – no cost finger stick cholesterol panel offered


• Bone density screening – the effects of obesity on your bones


Thomas Health System also partnered with many outside healthcare providers for this event, acting as the community liaison,

providing the goals and objectives for the participating healthcare partners.

March 14th, 2015 Family and Children Day – Tubby the Tuba

• Registered Diabetic Educator – Provided diabetes education

• Registered Dieticians – Healthy eating

• Registered Nurses – Provided education on how to make better fast food choices

• Special educational materials on healthy eating and exercise designed specifically to promote healthy choices

• Coloring books on drug tobacco abstinence


• Bone density screening – the effects of obesity on your bones

• Drug Abuse Prevention Specialist

• Respiratory Therapist - Lung disease screening


Partnership with Moveit WV

expositions to the general public. Our vision is to involve local businesses and organizations to assist WV residents in gaining a

better understanding of the need for physical activity to successfully fight to reduce the obesity epidemic in our beautiful state.

July 12th, 2014 at the Adena Indian Mound in South Charleston





• Bone density screening



Is an advocacy group promoting a lifestyle of

wellness and general health awareness

through a collaborative community effort.

Our mission is to involve individuals and

families by offering free health and fitness

April 11th, 2015 at Thomas Memorial Hospital in the Education Center








• Thomas Memorial Hospital will also be providing healthy snacks for participants

Partnership with Highmark

Fun, Fit & Fabulous

Women’s Conference

Highmark has presented Fun, Fit & Fabulous! since 2003 as a means to educate women about the importance of being an active

participant in their health.

During the past 12 years, the conference has provided more than 12,000 women with access to dynamic keynote speakers,

impressive workshop presenters and fun activities that show just how easy living a healthy lifestyle can be. Through workshops

focused on prominent health issues, the conference has educated women about such things as the importance of physical

activity and healthy cooking, cancer prevention, diabetes and heart disease. Conference participants have been given an

arsenal of knowledge and advice on how they and their families can live longer, healthier lives.

September 27th, 2014 at the Charleston Town Center Marriott






• Free Flu Vaccines

August 29th, 2015 at the Charleston Town Center Marriott






• Free Flu Vaccines

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAgQjRw&url=http://www.visithersheyharrisburg.org/members/highmark-blue-shield%20.asp&ei=dMX9VNqUGYvEggSAsYPIAw&psig=AFQjCNEsahM0ZOoyH3yKp3nRdl0FIxFVXA&ust=1426003700500753

Prime of Life

Thomas Health System additionally partners with other organizations throughout the Greater Kanawha Valley and surrounding

areas offering the Prime of Life program. Prime of Life screenings are open to the public and attract residents who are seeking

information and knowledge on their current health and how to improve their lives for the future but may not be able to afford

to pay for the services.

Intervention: Education is key to improving health statistics in our community and state. Prime of Life events give people in our

community better access to information they need to improve their health and prevent illness. With Physicians, health-care

staff and educational material available at Prime of Life events, it affords the opportunity for individuals to learn about health-

related issues affecting them or how to prevent them. For example, someone identified as pre-diabetic could receive

education on how to control their diet and exercise to prevent becoming a diabetic. The same holds true for potential stroke

and heart attack victims.

Impact: The number of participants evaluated is tracked throughout the year. Immediately after a Prime of Life event, the

Program Coordinator will contact each participant and their physician when the participant is diagnosed with grossly abnormal

lab/test results to assist them in scheduling an appointment with a physician or WV Health Right. HIPAA regulations prevent the

Thomas Health System from tracking the progress of the attendees.

2014 Prime of Life Summary

Date Location Number of patients served

January 15, 2014 Saint Francis Hospital Lobby 98

February 22, 2014 Cross Lanes United Methodist Church 12

February 26, 2014 Thomas Memorial Hospital Lobby 97

April 9, 2014 Saint Francis Hospital Lobby 169

May 14, 2014 Thomas Memorial Hospital Lobby 135

August 20, 2014 Saint Francis Hospital Lobby 163

September 17, 2014 YMCA Teays Valley Health Fair 2

September 17, 2014 Highland Hospital Health Fair 141

October 2, 2014 Thomas Memorial Hospital Lobby 123

October 17, 2014 Kemba Federal Credit Union 15

October 23, 2014 Charleston Kanawha Housing Authority 7

November 1, 2014 Cross Lanes United Methodist Church 10

November 12, 2014 Saint Francis Hospital Lobby 154

December 6, 2014 Dunbar United Methodist Church 6

December 10, 2014 Clay County Senior Services 13

Total Events & Patients Served 15 1,145

Prime of Life also offers community education on a wide variety of health related topics: providing free community CPR

training, First Aid classes, lectures on stroke prevention and recognition, heart health, diabetes, healthy eating and stress

management.

2014 Community Health Education

• Twin City Bible Church – January 18th, 2014 – Healthy Hearts – Finger stick cholesterol screens performed; they are

instant read and were available free of charge. Blood pressure checks and blood glucose checks were also provided at

no cost

• South Charleston Public Library – April 10th and April 24th, 2014 – Healthy Hearts and Healthy Eating

• Catholic Charities of Whiteville – April 25th, 2014 – Offered no-cost finger stick cholesterol screens, blood pressure

checks, blood glucose testing with finger stick HgbA1c testing, diabetic education which included healthy eating to

decrease obesity and to reduce blood sugar. Gave free blood glucose meters (40 total) and testing strips. Gave free

automated blood pressure cuffs for home monitoring of hypertension (15 total). Provided education and screening for

drug and alcohol abuse having a behavior health specialist on hand to provide screenings

• Community Based CPR and First Aid – Providing American Heart Association approved training at no cost to the

participants. – September 16th, 2014 – October 16th, 2014 – December 17th, 2014

• Community Stroke Education – “Power to End Stroke” May 23rd, 2014 at the WV Power Game, Stroke Fair with free

community stroke screening at Thomas Memorial Hospital on November 8th, 2014

• Senior Homes (throughout the Kanawha Valley and surrounding areas) – October 8th, 2014 – November 13th, 2014 –

March 1st, 12th and 27th , 2015 providing blood pressure screens, bone density screening for osteoporosis and blood

glucose checks provided by our Certified Diabetic Educator. Health education also provided on healthy eating and how

to manage blood pressure

• Community Lunch and Learns Educational Series offered at Thomas Memorial Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital and at

other local businesses:

Mental Health and Stress Reduction - January 13th, 2014 and January 17th, 2014

Alcohol and Drug Addiction in the Workplace – January 29th, 2014

Stroke Prevention and Recognition – May 15th and May 22nd, 2014

Breast Cancer BRAC 1 and 2 – October 29th, 2014

Men’s Health (The Prostate) – March 11th, 2015 and March 25th, 2015

• The American Legion Saint Albans – Wellness and Prevention education along with basic health care screening – March

8th, 2014

The Prime of Life also provides free flu vaccine to the community September through January each year. In 2014, 2,181 does

were provided to people age 2 years and up.

In 2013 the Prime of Life helped a total of 1387 people and in 2014 that was increased to 2650 which is a 91% increase.

2015 Thomas Health System through the Prime of Life program is looking to develop a relationship with WV Health Right. THS

and WV Health Right are pairing up to seek funding from the Greater Kanawha County Foundation to develop two new services

to be provided to the people of Kanawha County and the surrounding areas.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

2013 2014

2013

201491%

2015 West Virginia Health Right & Thomas Health System Partnership

Partnership #1

A Collaborative Impact Partnership between The Foundation for the Thomas Memorial and Saint Francis Hospitals and West

Virginia Health Right will help serve the African American community by promoting preventative health care and the

importance of having a primary care physician. Bevin Osborne, the Thomas Health System Health Promotions Director, will

reach out to the Partnership of African American Churches (PACC) to offer Prime of Life health screenings and follow-up

physician care to their affiliated churches. How can individuals strive to lower high blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar,

etc. if they do not know it is elevated to begin with? How can individuals or families with no insurance or high deductibles

afford to have the tests completed? How can chronic diseases be treated if you don’t have a primary care physician? Through

the collaborative partnership, The Foundation for the Thomas Memorial and Saint Francis Hospitals will offer free health

screenings, low-cost blood work, education on healthcare issues and West Virginia Health Right will offer access to

comprehensive primary and specialty care so African American residents of Kanawha County can be proactive in improving

their health. This project affords the African American community an opportunity to better maintain their health and prevent

illnesses that could have long-term negative effects on their ability to work and care for their families. The anticipated forms of

Community Wealth that will be impacted are Individual and Intellectual.

Partnership #2

A Collaborative Partnership between The Foundation for the Thomas Memorial and Saint Francis Hospitals and West Virginia

Health Right will help serve pregnant mothers of the Greater Kanawha Valley that are currently addicted to drugs or alcohol or

have recently battled such an addiction. The SouthWay Outpatient program will identify mothers that may benefit from this

collaboration with West Virginia Health Right. West Virginia Health Right will enroll these mothers in their medical home and

provide them with dental care, classes on parenting and job skills. Thomas Memorial Hospital will continue to support those

enrolled through their outpatient drug rehab program. The goal of this program is to take a holistic approach to treatment by

providing services that support the mothers to make lifestyle changes and to help them gain employment to allow for ongoing

success to remain drug or alcohol free and in allowing them the greatest chance at success as they parent their children.

Music Therapy Partnership

2015 Thomas Health System through the Prime of Life program is looking to develop a relationship with West Virginia

Symphony Orchestra. THS and West Virginia Symphony Orchestra are pairing up to seek grant funding to develop a new music

therapy programs to be provided to the people of Kanawha County and the surrounding areas.

2015 West Virginia Symphony Orchestra & Thomas Health System Partnership

A Collaborative Partnership between Thomas Health System and West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will promote increased

patient satisfaction, decrease in patient overall pain and anxiety while hospitalized with a primary focus on areas in the health

system that serve patients with an anticipated prolonged hospitalization such as the Skilled Nursing Unit at Saint Francis

Hospital and 3T at Thomas Memorial Hospital that serves as our designated unit to treat patients with various cancers. It has

been well documented that patients in a hospital setting benefit from live music (Magill Bailey, Lucanne . "The Effects of Live

Music versus Tape-Recorded Music on Hospitalized Cancer Patients." Oxford Journal. 3.1 (1996): 17 - 28. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.

<http://musictherapy.oxfordjournals.org/content/3/1/17.short>.).

Bevin Osborne, the Thomas Health System Health Promotions Director, will reach out to various health care organizations

including long term care facilities and Hospice Care to broaden the target area and increase said collaborative partnerships. As

one hospital in Florida has noted “we’ve seen how music can be both an extension and a catalyst of emotion as well as cause

positive change neurologically, physically, psychologically and spiritually. With its proven effectiveness in treatment of stress,

depression, surgical sedation, pain management and more, our music therapists harness the power of song to aid patients in

the healing process.” The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will provide quartets and individual performers to play music to

patients for a half an hour up to an hour with the desired outcome as listed above: Improved patient happiness, decreased

patient pain and decreased patient anxiety related to hospitalization.

Corporate Wellness Partnerships

Thomas Health System is also committed to helping small to mid-size businesses improve the health of their employees

through our innovative corporate wellness program. Thomas Health System acknowledges the unique characteristics of each

business and with the theme of making the surrounding Greater Kanawha Valley healthier we are able to tailor each wellness

program based on goals and objectives set by the companies we serve.

West Virginia Housing Development Fund – West Virginia’s largest home mortgage lender with 103 employees

Thomas Health System Provides the Following Services

Semi-annual health screenings – Wellness lab work, blood pressure and blood glucose checks.

Adult Immunizations

Semi-annual physician lead health topic lunch-N-learns

Annual healthy eating cooking demonstrations with a Chef or Registered Dietician

Annual Bone Density screening

Annual Mammography

Breast Health Education

Annual Executive report highlighting the state of their companies’ wellness through biometric markers, health

risk assessments and taking a retrospective look at the years past and setting benchmarks for the up-coming

year

Appalachian Electric Power (AEP)


Health related lecture series

Licensed Massage Therapist as a part of our stress reduction program

Annual Flu Vaccines

Wellness screens

Dow Chemical - South Charleston Manufacturing Site Plant


Annual Flu Vaccines

Wellness screens


Licensed Massage Therapist as a part of our stress reduction program

Jackson Kelly PLLC – Charleston, West Virginia Office – 250 employees in their Charleston office



Annual Flu Vaccines

Wellness screens


On-site physician consultation services

Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP – Charleston Office


Annual Flu Vaccines

Wellness screens – Point of Care screening including finger stick cholesterol, blood glucose and HGBA1c


WOWK-TV

Annual Flu Vaccines

Wellness screens – Point of Care screening including Cholesterol, blood glucose and HGBA1c


This listing is not an exhaustive list of the many companies we currently work with, but is only to highlight the different services

that we can offer based on the individual needs of our clients and their employees. We also work with different companies

offering on-site physicals and outpatient x-ray services; Black Lung and early cancer detection.

125% Grow Rate

56

126

34

Businesses Visited

2013 2014 2015 YTD

Thomas Health System actively participates and supports the following organization:

American Heart Association

Heart walk

Together to End Stroke initiative

Go Red for Women

National Walking Day

Arthritis Foundation

Thomas Memorial Physical Therapist to sit on the board of directors for the WV chapter of the Arthritis Foundation

Provide literature for the programs offered through the Arthritis Foundation in the physical therapy departments of

Saint Francis Hospital and Thomas Memorial Hospital

Provide literature for the programs offered through the Arthritis Foundation in targeted physician offices of THSPP

Susan G. Komen

Race for the Cure

Annual Breast Health Month – reduced cost mammograms, hosting courage walks, lunch-n-learns, free breast health

education

Charleston Area Alliance

Live Well Charlie West

Hosted various educators from the Charleston area

Participated in fairs aimed at children to promote health and wellness

Kanawha Coalition Member

Actively participates in the workplace wellness initiatives

Promotes tobacco cessation by having tobacco free campuses

Providing tobacco cessation education to all patients that report current or recent tobacco use

Promoting the “Take the Stairs” initiative to all employees within the Health System

Thomas Memorial Hospital offers a free series for family, friends and others who are concerned about a loved one’s

drug or alcohol use. The series focuses on educating the loved one to identify addiction and develop effective

approaches to help the person with a drug or drinking problem

To promote the coalition’s recommendation to increase greenspace, walking paths and to promote an overall

improvement in eating habits. Thomas Health System in 2015 and 2016 will be developing several community gardens

that will feature walking paths

Special Projects

Kiddoole Kids Fair (last year for the fair was 2014)

Promote education on child and family safety

Promote childhood activity

Promote health education targeted at children

Promote healthy eating

Provide free health screening – (point of care) finger stick cholesterol panels, blood glucose levels, HgbA1c, blood

pressure checks, height and weight, dental, vision and hearing screenings, as well providing scoliosis checks

Thomas Health System Junior Nurse Academy and Senior Nurse Academy – this is a free summer day camp for middle school

children hosted 2 times per summer

Promote the need for education by encouraging middle school students to pursue a career in nursing or other related

healthcare fields

Provides a comprehensive look at the many different roles in nursing

Promotes education and wellness by providing free CPR certification

Encourages the pursuit of higher educational obtainment by providing on-campus college visit and providing the

needed high school pathway to successfully fulfill the requirements to gain admittance into college

Provides alternative solutions to pay for college such as service in the US military and have a guest nurse speaker that

currently serves in the US military

Documents

Thomas Health Systemthomaswv.org/pdfs/Community Health Plan Thomas...10 -17 yr -olds 18.5% 13 Low Income 2 -4s 14.0% 21 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey - High School Results Percentage