Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/194514
Sarasota News Leader October 18, 2013 Page 27 Exams and medication are "easily available to [staff members] and their families" through a clinic, Goodwin pointed out. "I think [that idea] has more merit." Todd referenced a remark board member Shirley Brown has made in the past: "All of our campuses are smoke-free environments. That's setting a model for our students. And I feel comfortable being the 'food police' and saying, 'You know what? We don't need 12-inch cookies [made available to students]; a 2-inch cookie is fine.' But that's about our children." Todd added, "I just don't know where the line is for being the 'health police' for the adults." Brown noted that the City and County of Sarasota offer incentives to employees for participation in wellness activities. "You can get your co-pay or your [health insurance cost] down to zero" by participating in them, she added. "Maybe that is a different way of getting around [Todd's and Goodwin's concerns]." School Board member Shirley Brown makes a point during a July meeting. File photo being are major factors in a successful program. "Awareness is huge." "You have to live in a cave not to know some of these things," Todd said, such as the risk factors for diabetes. However, board member Caroline Zucker DuBose said the task force members are pointed out that some people grow up in cultures that do not emphasize the value of looking at "carrots versus sticks. Value-based regular physicals and healthful eating. incentives seem to be a good thing." White said she favored an incentive approach She added that eight risks or behaviors are in helping employees. "I am not one for the responsible for 15 chronic health conditions, stick approach." driving 80 percent of healthcare costs. By targeting one, two or three of those behav- People often need to be nudged to do what iors, she continued, "you can save … $700 an is best for them, White added. "We're talking employee per year, just by keeping them on really minimal," she said, such as just encourtrack" with wellness efforts. aging people to have regular checkups. DuBose reiterated that making people aware of factors that contribute to poor health and letting them know about opportunities they can take advantage of to improve their well She told the board, "If we can just take those mini steps, I think that might make the difference … to that person that's aware but has not yet found the incentive to take action." %