Background
Canyon Ranch Institute and Sullivan County Memorial Hospital (SCMH) collaborated to develop a Canyon Ranch Institute Life Enhancement Program (CRI LEP) focused on advancing the health literacy and the health and wellness of Sullivan County, MO, residents.
Read about how participating in the CRI LEP in Sullivan County, MO, changed Robin Thomson's life. SCMH is a Critical Access Hospital in rural North Central Missouri and is the only hospital in Sullivan County. The mission of SCMH is "to meet the healthcare needs of our community by providing quality health services designed to restore and cultivate good health."
How We're Making a Difference
The CRI LEP in Sullivan County aims to increase the health literacy of Sullivan County residents through an integrative health model. Through increasing health literacy, participants change their behaviors related to improving nutrition and physical activity, enhancing self-efficacy, and reducing stress. The CRI LEP empowers participants to make small, healthy changes to their lifestyle and educates patients and communities to embrace a life of wellness.
The first group of participants in the CRI LEP in Sullivan County program graduated in October 2010. The group included city government representatives, schoolteachers, grocery store owners, hospital employees, self-employed farmers, and stay-at-home mothers. The second group started the CRI LEP in January 2011 and four more groups completed the program by the end of 2011.
Canyon Ranch Institute and SCMH are actively working to continue the program beyond its initial two-year funding period made possible by the Missouri Foundation for Health.
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.
Quick Links
¹Health Literacy Missouri. Health Literacy Missouri overview. February 2010. Available at: http://www.vimeo.com/15876988
