PITTSFIELD — An Illini Community Hospital study is sparking a new health initiative that aims to make Pittsfield residents healthier on a daily basis.
The health initiative, titled “Me, Only Better,” was created by the hospital to rectify many of the health issues highlighted in the study’s findings. Based on other initiatives nationally, this non-competitive program focuses on many different aspects of healthiness, according to fitness supervisor Tina Veile.
“This is about getting healthier every day and moving forward,” Veile said. “We want to meet you where you are at right now and help you get better.”
The hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment is done as part of the requirements to maintain its tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. People within the hospital’s service area are surveyed for the assessment in order to determine the organization’s ability to address and meet the health needs of people within the community.
What the assessment found was that Pike County residents are well below the state average in obesity, physical activity, and access to exercise opportunity. Out of 102 counties within the state, Pike County is ranked 75th in practicing healthy behaviors and shows that adults are more likely to be obese and not engage in physical activity.
To assist in remedying this issue, “Me, Only Better” will help participants set short-term goals, by the day and by the week, to better their health in some way. That could be getting some exercise, drinking more water, eat a more nutritious snack, or even emotional or mental health activities such as doing a kind act for the day.
“We’re going to hold quarterly events where people can come and learn healthy activities on the spot,” Veile said. “The other part of the program is to promote those daily habits. We have an app called Daily Endorphins where people can track their daily goals … to incentivise people they can earn points through the app and get raffle tickets for drawings throughout the year.”
Some prizes that can be earned through the raffle tickets obtained through the app include a short gym membership, an iPad, new shoes, or fitness equipment.
The program kicked off Jan. 16 with 60 participants. Aspects of the program will be unveiled throughout the year.
