South Indiana superintendents roll up sleeves for wellness screening

INDIANAPOLIS - District Superintendents of the South Indiana Conference have been meeting their usual two-days-a-week at the Indiana Area office to make pastoral appointments across South Indiana. However, during one of their spring-time sessions, they were asked to roll up their sleeves to be tested during a wellness screening.

Eight of the nine cabinet members were screened, one district superintendent was absent. A couple of them did complain about that "little bee sting" sensation being more like a wasp.

They participated in a full wellness health screen to demonstrate to pastors that such a screening is provided from the Principal Wellness Company, the South Indiana Conference's current health-care insurance provider.

According to Laura Butler, Principal's account executive to the conference, "the screening was done to make cabinet members aware of the (annual wellness) screening available to participants in the South Indiana Conference health-care plan. Screenings have taken place during September 2004 and September 2005 at locations across South Indiana. The complimentary screening will be made available again during September and October.

The screening includes tests for blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight, lipid profile cholesterol, blood sugar, body composition analysis (percentage of body fat), low back and hamstring flexibility, plus optional services at a nominal cost such as a prostrate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test for men and a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) blood tests for women. Both genders also can elect at cost a hemoglobin and hematocrit (H/H) blood test, comprehensive metabolic blood panel, "colocare kits" (to detect colon cancer) and educational materials.

"We hope to be a source of motivation."

-- Laura Butler

Also included in the screening is a health risk appraisal questionnaire, educational lifestyle handouts and an individual health risk analysis report.

Unlike clinic testing, Butler said, "An immediate feedback goal is to have a good understanding of not only what the results mean but also help in setting a goal (for better health) and setting steps to take charge of one's health."

The one-on-one confidential consultation takes between 15 and 30 minutes.

"The conference is investing in the cost of the screening with a goal of pastors, other employees and their insured dependents will take part in their health care."

During the screening, Principal Wellness does not medicate and prescribe. That's up to each one's personal physician.

"We hope to be a source of motivation," said Butler.

If a health screening reveals one is "at-risk" for certain health conditions, he or she has the opportunity to participate in a confidential home-based follow-up program. This program targets ones specific risks, provides methods for reducing those risks and provides year-round resources and encouragement. Included are monthly newsletters, quarterly health awareness campaigns, bi-weekly wellness information by e-mail and the Mayo Clinic Guide to Self-Care book. New this year is the American Cancer Society Quitline, a telephone-based connection for smoking cessation counseling with tri-monthly follow-ups.

According to Butler, the goal of the wellness screening program is to help those insured through Principal to take charge of their health. "The better you take care of yourself, the better you will be for family, friends and colleagues," she said.

For more information about the Principal Wellness Company, log on to www.principal.com. For information about health care insurance benefits in the South Indiana Conference, log on to www.sicumc.org/local_church_resources/benefits.htm.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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