Air Force Installations: Health and Wellness Centers.

In an effort to improve the fitness level of its people, the Air Force recognized a need to expand current fitness programming. The focal point at each Air Force Installation will be called a Health and Wellness Center (HAWC). The HAWC will be a free-standing facility near the installation fitness center or the Community Activity Center, where a number of professional health and fitness specialists are located in the HAWC to provide programs and services. Upon referral or individual request, people will receive fitness evaluations and counselling by experts at the HAWC. The focus will be on providing a full-time, one-stop shop for health and fitness programs.

Specific goals of HAWCs include ensuring Air Force physical fitness standards are clear and concise and annual evaluation requirements are completed. All physical fitness evaluations will be performed by trained and certified professionals. Each major Air Force installation will have a HAWC to provide programs and services for individuals striving towards a healthier lifestyle. These facilities are considered the key to improving overall Air Force fitness.

Core Manning

The core manning for HWACs will include: health promotion manager, exercise physiologist, administrative specialist, fitness specialist, and a medical technician. In addition to the above core manning, additional positions should be considered based on total force needs, i.e., base population. The HAWCs will provide professional programs designed to assist in modifying behavior which will contribute to healthier life-styles for Air Force people and improve readiness.

Core Programs

HAWCs will include the following core programs:

* Fitness assessments including muscular endurance, muscular strength, body fat composition, flexibility, and aerobic capacity assessments

* Health Risk Appraisal

* Tobacco products cessation/use prevention

* Nutritional awareness to include diet counseling

* Stress management training (referral)

* Cycle ergometry assessments

* Disease prevention emphasizing both and cardiovascular disease prevention

* Exercise programming

* Weight counseling

When facility and staffing considerations allow, the following programs can be added to the core programs listed above:

* AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (awareness education)

* Occupational safety and health information to include seat belt use and back injury prevention

Even though the above programs are considered essential parts of the HAWCs, the administrative actions regarding cycle ergonometry evaluations should remain the squadron commander's responsibility, not that of the HAWC staff. HAWCs should concentrate on assisting individuals through weight counseling, exercise programming, and nutritional awareness education in an effort to encourage healthier lifestyles.

Eligible Personnel

HAWCs will be available for authorized users including active duty personnel, DoD civilians, family members, retirees, guard, and reserve. Active duty personnel will have priority, the installation Commander will make a decision on priority usage when the facility is unable to adequately accommodate all eligible users. Educating the total force about the importance of proper fitness will encourage healthy lifestyles, reduce Air Force medical costs, and improve the readiness of active duty personnel.