NACA offers free health and wellness programs at open house event March 24-28

Recommitment Week programs include diabetes treatment, management and prevention

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The public can try out group wellness classes for free when Native Americans for Community Action's (NACA) Health Promotions program opens its doors to the community for "Recommitment Week" March 24-28.

NACA Health Promotion was created in 2010. The Health Promotion programs are designed to enhance services provided through NACA's Family Health Center.

Programs include a diabetes treatment and management program, a diabetes prevention program, a tobacco education and prevention program, a chronic disease self-management program, a community events program and the wellness center.

"We do a community outreach event once each quarter so four times throughout the year... we try to recruit individuals into our program," said Chris Nez, NACA's Health Promotions program lead.

During recommitment week there will be daily prizes, hourly group fitness classes and random sugar checks available Monday through Friday, with no appointments.

Depending on the results of some of the sugar tests, individuals may qualify for various health education programs including the 16-week Lifestyle Balance program, the Living Lean 10-class series or the Healthy Living chronic disease self-management program.

NACA's last recruitment event was "Resolution Week" in January. Nez said the event increased referral numbers by 200 percent.

"It was a successful event," Nez said. "[So we] thought we would incorporate the strategy every 10 weeks. It was another way for us to let the community know."

The 10-week period makes it possible for new referrals to join one of the classes, which occur on a recurring basis every 10 or 16 weeks.

In addition, Diabetes Alert Day is March 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

NACA Health Promotion is partnering with Northern Arizona Healthcare and Diabetes Together to offer a day devoted to informing the community about the seriousness of diabetes, particularly when diabetes is left undiagnosed and untreated.

On Diabetes Alert Day NACA will put on more group fitness classes and provide resource booths and raffle prizes. Health screenings will be available by appointment from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nurses from Northern Arizona Healthcare will be on hand to provide screenings.

Because NACA's wellness center and diabetes prevention program and diabetes self-management program are specific to the Native American population, Sacred Peaks and North County Healthcare will be on hand as a resource for any non-Native Americans who are screened that day.

There will be two presentations called Exercise is Medicine in the evening.

"We invite everyone to join us in promoting and encouraging healthy lifestyles where we live, learn, work and play," Nez said.

NACA Health Promotion Programs are grant funded through the Indian Health Service Diabetes Treatment and Prevention Services. The programs offered at the Health Promotion programs are designed to prevent or delay the onset of chronic diseases. All programs offered are an extension of the NACA Family Health Center.

The open house will take place at 1500 E. Cedar Ave. More information about scheduling an appointment is available at (928) 773-1245, ext. 131. More information about other programs NACA offers is available at www.nacainc.org.