Humana Europe is partnering with Stoke-on-Trent PCT to help local patients lose weight and reduce onset of obesity affected conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, using electronic pedometers.
The pedometers, which track the number of steps subjects take throughout the day, are programmed to meet the needs of each patient and enable the user to register their progress via a personalised website.
Under the scheme, 400 patients with a Body Mass Index higher than 25 have been issued with specially-designed pedometers to measure how far they walk and to encourage them to incorporate more physical activity into their everyday routine.
Dr Peter Greengross, director of health and wellness at Humana Europe, told EHI Primary Care: “It is very encouraging that local patients are so keen to take part and we are confident that the impact of heart disease and diabetes will be reduced as a result. We hope that by significantly reducing the incidence of these conditions, we will save resources that can be used to improve health services across the city.”
The programme will take place over a course of 12 months and will involve a range of interventions including personalised health risk assessments, a walking programme measured by pedometers and personal health advisors providing telephone coaching.
In order to help patients reach their health goals, personal nurses who are specially trained in motivational techniques, work with them to draw up a healthy living programme tailored to address their individual challenges.
The patients, who have an underlying risk of heart disease or diabetes, have access to ongoing personal support from the nurses who offer advice, support and encouragement as they make changes to their diet and start to exercise more frequently. The programme, which is being piloted at the Belgrave Medical Centre in Stoke, has proved to be very popular and requests have been received from a large number of people wanting to take part.
Dr Zafar Iqbal, deputy director of public health for Stoke-on-Trent PCT said: “The programme is part of a major initiative in Stoke-on-Trent to address obesity levels across the city. Initially intensive support is being offered to those who would have the greatest health benefits. If successful, there will be enormous benefits for the health service. Other programmes to tackle obesity will be rolled out during the year.”
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