GovGuam Revives 3-Hour Weekly Paid Exercise Benefit

After being halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guam government employee wellness program, which provides up to three hours per week for employees to exercise, is back in action. Launched on March 19, the program returned with various sports and wellness activities taking place at the University of Guam Calvo Field House.

Worksite Wellness Program

Brought to life through an executive order in 2012, the Worksite Wellness Program is dedicated to facilitating a more robust, resilient GovGuam workforce. The goal? To help employees lead longer, healthier lives. “Uniquely, we provide the opportunity to engage in physical fitness or wellness activities promoting good health, especially addressing common health issues such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity,” explains Al Silverio, a program coordinator with the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services.

Program Participation

Pre-pandemic, around 10% of GovGuam’s workforce, which translates to approximately 600 employees, were active in the program. The new goal, ambitious as it may be, is to increase that figure to 20%. “It’s a big leap, but with increasing rates of diabetes, cancer, obesity, and heart disease, we have to try,” Silverio admits.

Health and Wellness Impact

Beyond the obvious advantage of leading a healthier lifestyle, Silverio points out the powerful influence of hard data. Roughly 85% of those who contracted COVID-19 also suffered from one or more non-communicable diseases. Alarmingly, about 80% of those who passed away due to the virus also had a non-communicable disease.

How the Program Works

Health coaches, usually supervisors, monitor small groups of workers across various GovGuam agencies and departments. These coaches encourage, motivate, and document employee participation, and assist Public Health in tracking metrics such as body mass index, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Exercise can be done individually, but group workouts at the workplace are highly encouraged.

Innovative ways to exercise have been welcomed in the past, such as parking lot workouts and walking to far-off parked cars. Some groups have participated in chair yoga or committed to only using the stairs. While gym workouts can be logged individually, it’s important to note that any misuse of the program will not be tolerated.

Program Eligibility

There are some restrictions to the program. Employees who fail an initial health screening or those who work in 100% federally funded jobs, which don’t allow for participation in such a program, cannot join. Critical job workers or those who can’t be covered during their exercise time may also be ineligible, depending on their supervisor’s discretion.

Additional Offerings

Beyond exercise, the program also offers tobacco and vaping cessation programs, as these habits contribute significantly to poor health. As an added incentive, Public Health has gathered rewards and prizes to offer employees, sponsored through donations.

Interested employees can send an email to reina.s.capati@dphss.guam.gov to participate in the program.