Improving Healthy Habits in Berlin, VT

Triano, Amy I

Item

Improving Healthy Habits in Berlin, VT

Triano, Amy I

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Abstract

A significant percentage of patient’s at Berlin Family Practice have diagnoses of Type II Diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and/or obesity. Essential to treatment and management of these conditions are a healthy diet and exercise. There are many local and national resources available but no single place where patient’s can find links to national as well as local resources in the Central Vermont community. There is also insufficient time for physicians or nurses to counsel patients on relevant resources. This project involved creation of a website with community and national resources for healthy living that providers could refer patients to. A brochure with healthy living tips was made available to patients and providers in exam rooms. A presentation was given to providers in the office with details about the website as well as about community programs that they could refer people to and their contacts in the community. The response from providers and office staff was positive. It is still too early to tell whether or not the implementation of the website will encourage and improve healthy living in Berlin, VT.