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 retirees Initial 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

Promotion The Brake for Health Program was promoted to all staff through the following mediums; -Newsletters -Promotional posters -Individual “postcard” promotions Registration Registration 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 education Pharmacists 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

RESULTS: Total Cholesterol & Random Glucose

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: 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