Background
Located in the South Bronx, Urban Health Plan (UHP) is recognized as a premier federally qualified health center, serving over 40,000 patients. UHP's mission is to continuously improve the health status of underserved communities by providing affordable, comprehensive, and high quality primary and specialty medical care and by assuring the performance and advancement of innovative best practices.
In 2007, Canyon Ranch Institute pledged 10 scholarships for UHP health and wellness professionals to attend the Canyon Ranch Life Enhancement Program (LEP) in Tucson, AZ. After completing the week-long Canyon Ranch LEP, UHP professionals shared their feedback with Canyon Ranch Institute. They were passionate and confident that the best practices of Canyon Ranch could be translated in a culturally competent manner to the UHP patient population through the establishment of a Canyon Ranch Institute Life Enhancement Program (CRI LEP) at UHP. This launched the development of the first CRI LEP.
Nearly 100 participants have participated in and completed the CRI LEP. Due to the success and popularity of the program, which is taught in both Spanish and English, more than 200 UHP patients are waiting to participate in the CRI LEP.
How We're Making a Difference
CRI LEP at UHP classes are held at UHP's facility on Southern Boulevard, including the Health & Wellness Center in Partnership with Canyon Ranch Institute (El Centro de Salud y Bienestar en Cooperación con Canyon Ranch Institute) that was dedicated by Canyon Ranch Institute President Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, in October 2009. The center includes state-of-the-art exercise equipment and space for meditation, relaxation, and yoga. Program participants are encouraged to access the center after they complete their CRI LEP experience to continue their exercise and stress management practices.
Evaluation
Canyon Ranch Institute evaluates the CRI LEP's effectiveness across the entire scope of our integrative model of health. We measure the impact of addressing health literacy in regard to participants' changes in nutrition, physical activity, physical health, knowledge, stress, and attitudes. Results from the Canyon Ranch Institute Life Enhancement Program indicate participants experience a number of healthy changes. Data reveals participants adopted healthier behaviors, lost weight, are less depressed, know more about health, lowered their blood pressure, increased ability to manage stress and pain, and make healthier food and portion choices.
Specifically after completing the CRI LEP at UHP, participants report experiencing a number of healthy changes, including socializing more, exercising at home, feeling less pain, increased ability to manage stress, relaxing and meditating, eating healthier foods and healthier portions, and feeling less depressed.
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Local Solutions to Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. May 2007. Available at: http://www.healthystates.csg.org/NR/rdonlyres/5C7AF40A-2106-4134-8151-600FEF5A0F4A/0/disparities.pdf
2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/reach/pdf/NY_IUFH.pdf
