Cameron University’s Proactive Engagement
With Community Wellbeing Initiative
“ This is the first generation of children in the
history of our country whose life expectancy
won’t be that of their parents because of
obesity, inactivity and the associated medical
illness like diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular
disease.”
3 MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE
OUR HEALTH
1.
Physical activity
2.
Nutrition (including eating foods of high
nutritional value and in the right quantities)
3.
Whether or not we smoke
PHYSICAL INACTIVITY IS A COST = ECONOMIC
DRAIN
The Minnesota Department of Health estimates physical inactivity
costs the state approximately
$100 per person (year 2000 costs), at a total of $ 495 million in direct
costs.
Source: Prevention for a Healthier America: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger
Communities – Feb 2009
STATE BY STATE STUDY ON ROI OF COMMUNITY
BASED PROGRAMS

Investment of $10 per person, per year in proven communitybased programs to:
 Help people increase their physical activity
 Eat better
 Avoid smoking and other tobacco use

Could save the country more than $16 billion annually within five
years - A return of $5.60 for every $1 invested.
http://healthyamericans.org/reports/prevention08/Prevention08.pdf
Source: Prevention for a Healthier America: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities – Feb 2009
Oklahoma
Total Annual Intervention Costs (at $10 per person): $35,230,000
Oklahoma Return on Investment of $10 Per Person
1-2 Years
5 Years
10-20 Years
Total State Savings
$65,000,000
$219,000,000
$240,400,000
State Net Savings
(Net savings = Total savings
minus intervention costs)
$29,800,000
$183,800,000
$205,200,000
ROI for State
0.85:1
5.22:1
5.83:1
* In 2004 dollars
Indicative Estimates of State-level Savings by Payer: Proportion of Net Savings for an
Investment of $10 Per Person
Medicare Net Savings
(proportion of net savings)
Medicaid Net Savings (federal
share) (proportion of net
savings)
Medicaid Net Savings (state
share) (proportion of net
savings)
Private Payer and Out of Pocket
Net Savings (proportion of net
savings)
*
*
1-2 Years
5 Years
10-20 Years
$8,040,000
$49,600,000
$55,400,000
$1,960,000
$12,100,000
$13,500,000
$928,000
$5,720,000
$6,390,000
$18,800,000
$116,300,000
$129,900,000
In 2004 dollars
Source: TFAH calculations from preliminary Urban Institute estimates, based on national parameters applied to state
spending data.
Source: Prevention for a Healthier America: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities –
MANY COMMUNITIES ARE ADDRESSING THESE
ISSUES…..

Fit Kids of Southwest Oklahoma was developed in 2006 to
serve as a coordinating organization in an effort to create a
more active and healthy community for children.

Effective Community Change Required ‘Buy In’ &
Partnership of Diverse / Multiple Organizations, Opinion
Leaders/Influencers, Each With a Place at the Table.
CAMERON UNIVERSITY’S ROLE

Commitment to Proactively Participate in Program

Followed through with Action
 V.P. Student Affairs on Board of Directors of Coalition
 Departments Across Campus Provide Their Skill Sets To the Coalition
 Past President Dedicated Next 100 Years to Health & Wellness on
Campus - “Healthier CU in Century II”
CAMERON INITIATED PROGRAMS

Created Community Garden – Ag Dept. Actively Involved

Aggie Mile – Walking Path on Campus Open to Community

Coach’s University – Athletics Dept. Actively Involved

Resource Sharing for Community Interventions
CAMERON INITIATED PROGRAMS

Wellness Center Opened on Campus – Hold Health Fairs

Sodexho – Offers Healthy Eating Station Everyday, Provides
Demos of Healthy Cooking, Healthy Campus Menu

Tech & I.T. Support / Communications Support to Alliance

Campus Declared as Tobacco- Free along with Cessation
Classes
WHY HIGHER EDUCATION SHOULD BE PROACTIVELY
INVOLVED WITH A COMMUNITY WELLNESS INITIATIVE

Large employer in most communities. Important to be
seen as actively engaged

Can have a large multiplier effect.

Respected & often opinion leaders in community
UNIVERSITY INITIATED COMMUNITY PROGRAMS HAVE A
POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT
Healthier Workforce = Attractive to Business
Lower Healthcare Costs = More Money Available for
Education??