Wellness Consortium (02/06/2008)

When the health-related behaviors of Cattaraugus County residents are compared to New York state residents in general, some disturbing trends emerge. We are more overweight, we exercise less, smoke more, binge drink more, and eat less fruits and vegetables than the rest of New York. The good news is that help is here. Several businesses and agencies have come together to form The Wellness Consortium, whose mission is partnering with the community to develop H.E.A.L.T.H. - Helping Everyone Attain Lasting Total Health. The group formed in 2004 and now consists of 23 members. The Wellness Consortium’s first group effort was staging a successful health fair at last year’s Olean Home Show. The group plans to do this again for 2009.

Jill Delaney of The Rehabilitation Center is the facilitator of the group. “We want to help our community move toward wellness and maintain it. In addition to the health fair, the group has decided that this year we want to do a larger-scale program.” That program is called W.I.N. which stands for Wellness Is Now and the goal is to help businesses in the area form teams of people (employees and their families) to support each other in losing weight. The winners will receive prizes in addition to improving their lives by losing weight.

“We encourage employers to consider the benefits of supporting this program. Benefits include less employee sick days, a better quality of work/life, and a possible reduction in group health insurance rates,” said Joan Pingitore, chairwoman of the education committee of The Wellness Consortium.
On Friday, March 27, the group will host an information session for employers who wish to have their business participate in the program. Individuals and families can learn how to participate on March 28 at Storm the Mall, at the Olean Center Mall from 10 to 3 or March 29 at Kids First, at the Reilly Center at St. Bonaventure University.

You can learn more about The Wellness Consortium and upcoming events and programs by visiting the group’s new web site, www.mycommunitywellness.net. “The web site is meant to be a clearinghouse of information and resources available in our community,” said Ms. Delaney. You can also email mycommunitywellness@gmail.com or call Jill Delaney at 716-375-4740 Ext 104.