The State of Ohio Meets with President Obama to Discuss Employee Health Initiative and Columbus-Based Agency's Communication Tools
Minds On, Inc., a full-service creative agency, caught the attention of the White House with its Take Charge! Live Well! program.

COLUMBUS, OH, June 05, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- With ever-increasing healthcare costs, more and more companies are creating incentive programs that encourage employees to live better and stay well. Minds On, Inc., a full-service creative agency, has helped private businesses and government agencies, such as the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (ODAS), extend the support and benefits of their population health management programs to employees through innovative communications programs.

One recent example of a very successful wellness program that has caught the attention of The White House is the 'Take Charge! Live Well!' initiative created by ODAS and the Joint Health Care Committee, and developed in partnership with Minds On. During a mid-May meeting between President Obama and representatives of several other well-known organizations, Dr. Alvin Jackson of the Ohio Department of Health shared how successful the 'Take Charge! Live Well!' program has been with state employees.

"After researching data, the State of Ohio realized that an effective health program had to be about more than just disease management," said Mary Brutovski, marketing communications manager for ODAS. "Our program focuses on prevention by offering online and paper health assessments, health coaching, on-site health screenings, and a central Web site developed by Minds On to tie it all together. The 'Take Charge! Live Well!' initiative also offers monetary incentives for employees and their spouses, which has led to the participation of more than 50 percent of eligible participants to date."

"The State of Ohio has undertaken a tremendous goal not only in offering a comprehensive health incentive program, but fostering an environment of support for its employees to ensure their success," said Tom Augustine, president and founder of Minds On, Inc. "We were honored that they selected us to translate that goal into an integrated marketing campaign that elevates the importance of the 'Take Charge! Live Well!' initiative."

The "Take Charge! Live Well!" program includes a Web site that features a health assessment tool, helpful wellness resources, and video success stories from state employees who are reaching their goals and changing their lives. The site was designed to make it easy for employees to enroll, navigate, and find inspiration to achieve better health.

In addition to the development of the ODAS campaign, Minds On was also contracted by The Ohio State University to create similar resources to drive their "Your Plan for Health" program. "Your Plan for Health was launched in 2006 with the intent to provide faculty and staff with tools and resources that empower them to make educated health care decisions." said Gretchen Feldmann, OSU's Your Plan for Health communications manager. "We are looking forward to working with Minds On over the course of the next few years to develop and implement communication and engagement strategies that involve and educate our employees as they aspire to become greater advocates of healthy lifestyles."

"We see this type of partnership with OSU, ODAS, and any organization who is developing a health management program as an incredible opportunity to do something much bigger than just driving down healthcare costs," Augustine said. "When we are all healthier, everybody wins."

Press Release Contact Information:

Nancy Speicher
Minds On, Inc.
Communications
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Columbus, Ohio
United States of America 43212
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