The number of people signing up for affordable health care during open enrollment was down 4% in Kentucky this year.  However, there are some circumstance that permit signing up options throughout the year. The Rowan County Public Library received a $500 grant to promote affordable health care special enrollment options.  Along with encouraging people to sign up for affordable health care, the grant money could be used to promote healthy lifestyle classes, nutrition and advertisement for the class.  They chose to do nutrition and advertise the class. What does nutrition have to do with affordable health care?  “Since, nutrition is the leading factor impacting poor health status (with approximately three times the impact of low or no fitness), a focus on nutrition could have longer lasting effects on the overall health of a population than other interventions, potentially reducing claims costs over time, thus leading those insured under affordable health care now to get nutritional counseling paid for” (Rayman).  The Rowan County KSU Extension SNAP-Ed Nutrition Program was asked to provide the lessons on Healthy Choice Nutrition classes during the month of April as well as review the special enrollment options and life events which qualify.

The grant money was slated to be used during the month of April, so a four-week class session (two hours) each were planned to ensure all seven lessons of the Healthy Choice Curriculum were taught to meet SNAP-Ed requirements.  The library grant requirement stated that during each four sessions affordable health care options were to be reviewed.   Short u-tube videos were available and flyers to assist with reviewing the options.  The library staff advertised the classes with promotional flyers posted on social media for each class session, as well as radio and newspaper announcements, and an announcement of class time and date on their sign at the library entrance. Library staff also received a donation of a fit-bit from the local Wal-Mart to give as door prize to one participate that attended all four sessions and graduated from the Healthy Choice Curriculum.  Smaller door prizes, such as books on nutrition and healthy cooking, were awarded during each session to encourage participate attendance.

Eighteen participates attended the first session with a total of nine (9) completing all four sessions and graduating the Healthy Choice Curriculum.    On the last session six (6) new participates attended the session and wanted to complete the Healthy Choice Curriculum while the nine (9) graduates wanted to continue to meet for classes as they felt the classes helped them stay motivated to eat healthier and exercise more.  Although the grant money is no longer available to promote the classes, the library was happy to partner with SNAP-Ed and classes are ongoing at this location. The library has graciously continued the promotion of classes with flyers and social media post, as well as posting the class dates and time on their sign at their entrance.  Currently the classes are being offered one day per month and will continue as long as attendance is good and the partnership continues to work well for both the Rowan County Public Library and the Rowan County SNAP-Ed program.

References: Rayman, Dale, “What does nutrition have to do with AHC? https://www.benefitfocus.com/blogs/benefitfocus.  June 23, 2018

https://www.healthinsurance.org/kentucky-state-health-insurance-exchange/

YouTube Video:
 https://youtu.be/-58VD3z7ZiQ

Activity:

https://digitallearn.org/courses/online-health-information