Att G-5 NHWP FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CDC National Healthy
Worksite Program?
The CDC National Healthy Worksite Program
(NHWP) is a health promotion program
offered as a benefit to all employees. It
includes health screenings, health
assessments, health information, health and
safety programs, as well as ongoing onsite
support provided by a Health Coach. The
program launched in October 2011 and will
run until September 2013.

Why is my employer participating in this
program?
Because they are committed to the health,
well-being, a n d s a f e t y of their
employees. The goal of this program is to
learn more about the effects of workplace
health promotion policies, practices, and
culture on the health and well-being of
employees. About 15,000 employees from
multiple employers across the country will
participate in this project. The number of
employees participating may vary at each
work site.

Who is providing this program?

How do I participate?

The NHWP is funded by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Viridian Health Management is
implementing the workplace programs and
collecting data, in collaboration with the
University of Connecticut Health Center.
Research Triangle Institute International, an
independent non-profit institute, is
conducting a national evaluation of the
NHW program which will run through
August 2014.

You will be asked to complete a survey about
your worksite health culture and to complete an
onsite health screening and health assessment
at the beginning of the program and 12 months
later. The health screening includes some
biometric screening tests and questions about
your health and health habits.

Do I have to participate?

•

No. Knowing your current health status is
the first step toward making healthy
lifestyle changes and preventing chronic
diseases. However, the program is
voluntary. You can participate as much or
as little as you want to. Once you begin a
survey or onsite health coaching, you are
not required to complete it and you can
stop at any time.

Why am I eligible to participate?
Does the CDC National Healthy
Worksite Program Cost Anything?
No. The Health Screening, Health Assessment,
individual health coaching, group classes, and
health education materials are free for all
employees your employers specify are
eligible at your worksite.

Last Revised: 5/4/12

Your employer has agreed to be a part of
the NHW program. Your participation is
very important to this project because no
one else in the organization is exactly like
you. We would like you to consider
participating in all wellness program
activities offered by your employer.

For the biometric screening, we will:
•

•

•

•

Take your blood pressure and pulse using
a manual blood pressure method (blood
pressure cuff, stethoscope, and
sphygmomanometer)
If you are able to stand unassisted,
measure your height while you are
standing
If you are able to stand unassisted, ask
you to stand on a scale to measure your
weight
Use a finger prick to obtain a small blood
sample to obtain a lipid profile and blood
glucose
If you are able to stand unassisted,
measure your waist circumference with a
flexible tape measure
The biometric screening and health
assessment will take approximately 30
minutes and most people find it very
interesting. Adding the Health Screening
results to your Wellness Assessment will give
a more complete report of your health
status and risk for chronic disease.

Will eating affect blood sugar and
cholesterol results?
We recommend you do not eat or drink for
nine hours prior to the finger-stick blood
test. During this time, you may drink water
and take any necessary medications. While
a fasting result is the most accurate, a
normal “random” test (without considering
when you last ate) will provide an
indication of typical blood levels for total
cholesterol, HDL, and blood glucose. If one
or more of the test values are out of range,
the Health Coach will advise you to see
your doctor or health care provider.

What happens to health screening
and health assessment results, and
are they private?
Each participant will receive a Personal
Health Report that analyzes their
results and includes
recommendations for lifestyle
changes. The personal information
provided as part of the Health
Screening and Health Assessment are
private, and w i l l b e m a i n t a i n e d i n
a s e c u r e m a n n e r . Your responses
will be combined with other
information we receive and reported in
the aggregate. Your employer will only
receive a summary report
recommending the types of health
promotion programs t h a t would be
most beneficial to employees.

What if I can’t attend an onsite
Health Screening?
If you are unable to attend an on-site
Health Screening, you can complete
your screening by visiting your personal
physician. A Health Data Form for your
physician visit can be acquired from
your Health Coach.

Last Revised: 5/4/12

What is a Health Coach?

What are the benefits of participating?

A Health Coach is a health educator who
provides onsite information and
support to help you set and reach goals
to maintain and improve your health.
Health Coaches work with you to
identify opportunities for improvement
and help you assemble the tools and
resources for success. A Health Coach
also assists you in reviewing your
Personal Health Report to select the
best course of action specific to your
health improvement goal. Once you
select a course of action, your Health
Coach will motivate you with ongoing
support.

You may benefit from learning more about
your health. You will receive a card with your
blood pressure and BMI results and
information on what they may mean. You can
show the results to your doctor for follow-up
questions. This is an opportunity for you to
make a valuable contribution to your
workplace. The results of this program will
describe the health and well-being of
employees and their families, and will also
provide valuable information about your
workplace culture.

What are the potential risks involved in
participating?

How are privacy and security
maintained?
The CDC National Healthy Worksite
program is strongly committed to
respecting your privacy and to maintaining
the security of the information you provide
us. Your name will be replaced with a
number for the purposes of evaluating
program results. Information will be
combined with data from other participants
in the program and only group results will
be reported. Your individual data will also
be shared with Viridian Health
Management onsite Health Coaches to
provide individual health coaching
interventions specific to your current health
status and lifestyle habits.

The risks related to participating in the basic
health measures and health assessments are
minimal. It is possible that some of the
questions in the health assessment may make
you feel slightly uncomfortable, but you can
skip any questions you don’t want to answer.
You may also learn that you are at risk for a
future health condition, which you may
prefer not to know.

How else can I participate?
There will be opportunities available at your
worksite to work individually with a Health
Coach, attend onsite classes or seminars,
participate in wellness challenges, and
serve on a worksite health committee. The
program is voluntary, and you do not need
to participate. You will also be asked to
complete satisfaction surveys throughout
the program so that we can improve the
program.

For more information visit
www.cdc.gov/nhwp
You may also see your onsite Health
Coach or call 1-877-486-0141