The Health Improvement Program is one of the Health Mission's educational programs.  This educational program has been designed to help people control chronic disease such as diabetes and hypertension.  These programs are limited in nature because they operate on a limited budget provided by grants and corporate sponsorship. 

What does the program do?

The program is a health program for the control of chronic diseases among uninsured adults ages 16 - 64, living in Savannah and surrounding areas. The participants will receive a free screening and an assessment of life-style behaviors will be done. This will help in identifying the need of each particular participant of the program. The participant will then commit to attending a 12 week educational program which will teach them importance of preventive healthcare, how to care for conditions that are chronic like diabetes and hypertension and how to avoid complications. They will also begin a healthy eating program to assist them with their weight and chronic problems. The program includes all the necessary exams, evaluation and educational materials that the participant will need and in many situations it will include the necessary shoes that most chronic patients need.

What is the end goal for the participants?

The end goal for the participant is that they will receive the necessary education to prevent or improve their chronic disease. They will be taught on how to properly eat and monitor themselves and see an essential improvement in their health and weight during the next 12 weeks. The graduation and awards ceremony serves as a positive reinforcement of the changes made during the 12 weeks and also rewards them for their accomplishments during that same period of time.

• An In-Depth View of the Program