FWLHD and YMCA partner to deliver Prevention and Wellness Sessions
Far West Local Health District Dietitians are teaming up with the Broken Hill YMCA to provide monthly Prevention & Wellness sessions (PAWs) for Broken Hill locals.
These are free once a month drop-in sessions at the YMCA available to anyone to come and check their chronic disease risk factors and receive education on a range of health and wellness topics. Participants then have the option of joining in a low-intensity exercise session. The first session will be on Tuesday, 2 July 2019.
'The group has been previously running from the Broken Hill Hospital for the last six years, but with the new Wellness Centre becoming an important community hub, we wanted to use this opportunity to increase our attendance numbers and improve access for the whole community,' said FWLHD Dietitian Heidi Drenkhahn. 'Also, by being at the 'Y' we can make use of the beautiful Sturt Park to go for a short walk afterwards to promote physical activity.'
Since it's been running at the hospital, participants in the prevention group have been successful in making healthy lifestyle changes that have resulted in reduced blood pressure, improved blood sugar control and reduced excess weight.
'It's a great opportunity to keep an eye on your blood sugars or blood pressure, whilst being able to ask health professionals questions in a relaxed and informal setting. We then send your results back to your GP, so they're kept in the loop as well,' said Miss Drenkhahn.
When and where is the group run?
First Tuesday of every month
11am-12noon
YMCA Wellness Centre (corner of Chloride and Cobalt Streets).
What are chronic disease risk factors?
These are conditions that put you at higher risk of developing or exacerbating a chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease. The common risk factors we will check are:
Blood pressure
Blood sugar levels
BMI
Smoking Status