RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The Health and Wellness Center at Randolph Air Force Base will change the methods of how it serves up its multitude of betterment programs.
The message, however, of overall healthy living remains the same.
"Most of our classes were done in four sessions, at one-hour apiece, but we are changing many of those to present the information in two sessions," said Lorri Tibbetts, HAWC health education program manager. "You have to look at attendance and we had some classes where there might have been only two people."
The various streamlining measures will go into effect Sept. 1 at the HAWC.
Located at the south end of the base, attached to the Rambler Fitness Center, the HAWC is staffed by credentialed, degreed health professionals offering classes for smoking cessation, nutrition, fitness, anger management and several other areas.
Active-duty personnel, civilians, family members, retirees and often contractors are eligible for most of the programs offered.
While valuable self-help and personal improvement information is dispensed in HAWC classes, managers of the center concluded that time management is necessary in order for people to enroll.
"We've seen a high number of people who want to participate when we offered classes between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., so we are going to do more of that," said Kimberly Houk, HAWC exercise physiologist and fitness consultant.
The center often takes its show on the road, setting up presentations at job sites of various groups around the base. Information can at times be condensed, and then shared with organizations or small groups after hours. Nearly all the classes offered by the center are based on voluntary enrollment.
"The No. 1 objective we are seeking is: Are we meeting the needs of our team Randolph people?" Ms. Houk added.
While nutrition, fitness and weight management are important issues to the base population, smoking cessation classes are perhaps the most popular offering by the center. The program relies on three avenues to help smokers and smokeless tobacco users kick the habit:
The American Cancer Society's "Fresh Start" plan, the American Lung Association's "Quit Line" and an online program, that uses modules and awards certificates, are avenues to promote their message.
High body-mass index and height-to-weight ratios are presented by HAWC staffers as primary issues related to good health among Airmen. Ms. Tibbetts said an initiative is ongoing Air Force-wide, to keep Airmen fit, or at least close to being fit, so things don't take a downward spiral.
"Some people know they have a test coming up and will work hard to be held to a certain standard, then when it's done they don't continue their efforts to stay fit," Ms. Houk said.
"The Air Force is becoming acutely aware that these sorts of issues can affect deployability."
Whether it's high cholesterol, a healthy heart, managing one's emotions or time management, the HAWC can provide direction when a person truly wants to better their quality of life.
"Those who come seem to enjoy the presentation and they tell us they benefit from what we're offering," said Jennifer Sides, HAWC wellness dietician, pointing to misinformation as an oft-common hazard to proper healthcare. "We have information that can benefit their lives."
To register for sessions at the HAWC, click on www.php-ids.net or for more information call 652-2300.