AFMC commander promotes civilian health and wellness

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  An Air Force Materiel Command commissioned study was completed recently to hel primarily civilian workforce find the resources available to improve their health and welfare. 

The study found civilian employees often are unaware of the available health and wellness resources. In response to the findings, AFMC leadership took action to ensure employees know about resources and commanders facilitate employee usage of those resources.

Gen. Donald Hoffman, AFMC commander, emphasized the need for commanders and directors to be sensitive to the health and wellness of the command's predominantly civilian workforce, according to AFMC guidance.

One of the programs available to civilians is the Civilian Health Promotion Services developed in 2005 by AFMC. The goal of the program is to improve the physical well-being of Air Force civilians to help them lead healthy, productive, and balanced lives. The program focuses on education, self-care, behavioral changes and disease prevention.

The program also provides for three hours per week of paid fitness time for civilian employees with supervisor coordination.

With the majority of the Air Force's civilian population employed in AFMC, the program could greatly improve employee health.

Mayo Clinic Health Studies show that employees at high-risk for health problems are 12.2 percent less productive in their work when compared with low-risk employees.

"Fit and healthy employees are more effective employees," said Marilyn Leggett, manager of the CHPS program here.

Ms. Leggett discussed some of the ways civilians can stay healthy or get healthy if they aren't already there.

"We offer free, confidential blood pressure and cholesterol screening," she said.

She also mentioned the AFMC Wellness website as a tool both active duty military and civilians can use to track and improve their health.

"If an office wants help developing programs to improve employee health, please contact us," said Ms. Leggett.

The AFMC policy letter offers more detailed information regarding eligible participants and program limits including the request form.