Incentives offered for wellness programs

  • Published
  • By Stefan Bocchino
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  The Civilian Health Promotions Services program at Kirtland Air Force Base offers incentives to active-duty and government civilians who attend health classes or use the AFMCwellness.com health risk assessment.

"The Air Force Materiel Command wellness website will ask some questions and let you know if you are at risk for health problems," said Michele Harkins, 377th Medical Group civilian health promotions coordinator. "Based on the information printed out, you can come to the Health and Wellness Center to get prizes. The prizes include health books, t-shirts, massagers and a goody bag that includes a pedometer and a resistance band."

A calendar listing all the classes is available at the HAWC and the AFMC wellness website.

"When people come to the classes, we have additional prizes," said Harkins. "The program is targeted to government civilians, but active-duty members can also use it, especially the risk assessment."

Harkins said it is important for people to find out if they are at risk or if they are living an unhealthy lifestyle.

"To go along with the CHPS program, people can get free cholesterol and blood pressure screenings," said Harkins. "They can also use the BodPod to get an idea of their body composition. This way they can get a whole cardiac risk profile."

The HAWC also offers glucose and triglyceride screenings, as well as showing the ratio between good and bad cholesterol.

"Within 30 minutes, I can find out if your bodyweight is dangerous, and your blood is ok," said Harkins. "We want to get people in as a preventive measure. People can get this done once a year for free. I can go to their office to give cholesterol screenings. If they want to do it before work, I can do that."