For General Motors of Canada Limited

Employees and Retirees

Brake For Health

Cardiovascular Wellness Program

Goals:

to identify employees/retirees at high-risk for the development of cardiovascular disease

to affect change in healthy behaviours

to increase employee/retiree knowledge concerning the management of cardiovascular wellness

Brake For Health Cardiovascular Wellness Program

Program available to all General Motors employees and retireesInitial screenings and follow-up process underway for administrative, engineering, and plant employees, and retirees of;- Oshawa- Woodstock- Windsor- St. Catharines

Brake For Health Cardiovascular Wellness Program

PromotionThe Brake for Health Program was promoted to all staff through the following mediums;- Newsletters- Promotional posters- Individual “postcard”

promotions

RegistrationRegistration protocol varied between plant and office locations to reflect the different organizations of work.

Methods of registration included the following:- Online registration- Telephone hotline- Hard copy registration forms

(submitted into drop boxes placed throughout plants)

*Plant employees were advised to check with their supervisor upon registration.

Brake For Health Cardiovascular Wellness Program

Participants attended a 10-minute screening performed by a Registered Nurse

Measurements included:- Total cholesterol- Random blood glucose- Blood pressure - Smoking status

Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacists were also available for in-depth educationPharmacists utilized comprehensive “Let’s Talk” pamphlets covering cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes

RESULTS: (Oshawa and Woodstock) 1,382 employee participants

275 retiree participants

37% of employee participants obtained either a high systolic or diastolic blood pressure

18% of employee participants obtained high total cholesterol measures

3% of employee participants obtained elevated glucose readings

Brake For Health Cardiovascular Wellness Program

RESULTS: Blood Pressure

6% 9%

18% 15%

19%

19%

43%

24%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Employees Retirees

High (Systolic)

High Normal (Systolic)

High (Diastolic)

High Normal (Diastolic)

RESULTS: Total Cholesterol & Random Glucose

18%

4%

3%

2%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Employees Retirees

Random Glucose

Total Cholesterol

Follow-Up Component

Three month

Contact made with participants with “at risk” profiles (telephone and personal letters)

Six Month

Contact made with participants with “at risk” profiles

Pharmacist intervention: 20-30 minutes one-on-one counselling appointments with a Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist

Twelve Month

Follow-up participants will have the opportunity to be reassessed (total cholesterol, random blood glucose, blood pressure, smoking status)

Brake For Health Cardiovascular Wellness Program

RESULTS:

Three Month Follow Up OSHAWA• 42% of respondents indicated that they had made changes to

their lifestyle as a result of their scores• 30% indicated that they have improved their diet• 29% have started to exercise • 16% have cut down or quit smoking • 10% are now self-monitoring their blood pressure• 10% have quit or cut down on alcohol consumption• 6% have made positive changes to the ways in which they deal

with stress• 6% are now monitoring their cholesterol levels• 5% are now self-monitoring their glucose levels

WOODSTOCK• 32% of respondents indicated that they had made

changes to their lifestyle as a result of their measures

• 100% indicated that they have improved their exercise habits

• 86% are making healthier eating choices

• 29% are now monitoring their cholesterol

• 29% are self-monitoring their blood pressure

RESULTS:

Three Month Follow Up

Comments

• Enjoyed the literature and knowledge expressed by the individuals.

• Very well done; informative, well organized and enjoyable. Thanks!

• I believe that stroke prevention is a very good thing and I am happy that General Motors is participating in it.

• This is a very beneficial health program. I'd like to see this program every year!

• If a person does not get screened by a doctor regularly, at least this will indicate if concern is warranted.

• I enjoyed talking to the pharmacist. Please do it again.

Next Steps

Windsor – Initial Brake for Health Clinics

Woodstock – 6 month follow up

Oshawa – 12 month follow up