Program 9
The CommonHealth of Kentucky
A 13-part KET production aimed at improving the health of all Kentuckians by sharing health and wellness projects from across the state that are succeeding in making their communities healthier.
Be Well Kentucky
a project of KET’s Be Well Kentucky initiative
The CommonHealth of Kentucky is a 2005 KET production. Produced in partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Featured Projects:
- Healthy Hometown, Louisville
- Lifestyle Enhancement Activity Program, Lewis County
- Logan Alive!, Russellville
In addition to improving the health of individual employees, workplace wellness plans are good for the bottom line, paying off in increased productivity and big savings in health insurance costs for employers. This edition of The CommonHealth of Kentucky profiles two successful workplace programs as well as a government initiative to spread the benefits of wellness across an entire city:
The Lifestyle Enhancement Activity Program (LEAP) was created by the Lewis County Primary Care Center for its own employees. Now the model has been adopted by several school systems and other employers in the area. This incentive-based system shares the monetary benefits of better health in the workplace by rewarding workers who meet individual diet and fitness goals.
At Logan Aluminum in Russellville, participants in the Logan Alive! project also earn cash for their efforts. And they save money on healthier choices in the company cafeteria.
A healthier workforce is also good for a community’s economy. This program also visits Louisville to take a look at the Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement, which has set citywide health goals to be achieved through widespread community involvement. A mini-grant program encourages neighborhood groups to design their own physical activity programs.