Preliminary results are in for the first year of a health coach program at the Boehringer Ingelheim Americares Free Clinic in Danbury. Health coaches work one-on-one with patients who have diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.
It appears that 96 percent of patients who completed the 12-month program experienced improvements in at least one clinical measure. These include blood glucose, body mass index, triglycerides, cholesterol and systolic blood pressure. Weight loss was the most notable improvement, with two-thirds of participants losing weight.
“Health coaches help patients set realistic goals and feel empowered to be successful,” said Karen Gottlieb, executive director of the Americares Free Clinics. “Patients finish the program understanding they cannot rely on
medication alone to address their health issues.”
“The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation supports the health coach program because it closely aligns with our mission of improving patients”™ lives and strengthening our communities,” said Karen Iannella, president of the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation.
