A year long health initiative called "Rush Hour" sponsored by the Callaway County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) will hit the road July 1 to help participants begin their journey to improving their body, mind and spirit health.
The initiative, designed for the individual, is tailored so participants can get involved with a healthy activity where and when they are able.
"It's set up by the individual because people say, "I don't have the time,'" MRC Director Pam Phelps said.
The program is set up similar to a trip. Registered participants fill out an application and return it to one of the program's "travel agents" who discusses objectives and goals with the participant and also sends them information that could provide additional information, Phelps said. Participants will also have a "passport" which tracks the individual's journey from beginning to end -when participants reach a goal or get involved with one of the community events their passport is "stamped" with a sticker. At the end of the initiative, participants who have met their goals will receive a certificate of recognition.
Although it was designed with the individual in mind, the MRC expects people to participate in numbers and Phelps hopes that groups will challenge each other to various health objectives. In the past, the Central Christian Church challenged members of the First Christian Church to lower their blood pressure, Phelps said. When some members went to get their initial blood pressure measurement, the doctors found some had alarmingly high levels.
"The challenge really saved some peoples' lives," Phelps added.
Phelps, who designed the program, was hoping to register 250 people from Callaway County for the initiative. However, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services caught wind of the program and has started making plans to make it a state wide program if the county's program goes well, Phelps said.
The purpose of the initiative is to take advantage of health-focused programs and events that are already available to people in Callaway County at no cost. The Callaway County Public Library has several upcoming events that can count towards the mental health aspect of the initiative including a free crash-course in nutrition and healthy cooking July 13 - registration for the course opened June 22 and is still available through the Health Department.
"Exercising the mind is just as important," Adult Program Service Librarian Sherry McBride-Brown said.
The initiative will also include free workshops to help participants move towards a healthier lifestyle. A workshop focused on learning to have a healthy lifestyle while also dealing with a chronic health condition will start July 13 at the Health Department. Quarterly events will be held to encourage participants from all over Callaway County to get involved with the initiative.
Those interested in participating in the health initiative should fill out an application through their church, organization or the Health Department as workshops and classes will be limited to those registered.
Additional questions concerning the initiative and application process should be addressed to Pam Phelps (573) 642-6881. Information will also be available at the Auxvasse Lions Club during the Callaway Youth Expo July 7-11.