What is STEP AHEAD ?

A health improvement program where you work

Step Ahead is a program for all hospital employees, developed to help you improve your health right here where you work. The Step Ahead goal is to make it easy and fun for you to get healthier—one step at a time. Step Ahead is a research project funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. UMass Memorial, Health Alliance and Marlborough hospitals are participating.

Helping you be more active

Step Ahead will help you squeeze regular exercise into your busy workday. Here’s a sampling of Step Ahead offerings:

• Signs marking the stairs in your hospital to remind you "to take the stairs and burn more calories".
• Marked walking routes inside and outside the hospital to make it easy for you to take a walking break.
• Exercises that you can do for a quick break or energizer.
• Tools to help you get more active and keep track of your progress.

Helping you eat better

Making healthy eating choices on the job will be easier, thanks to Step Ahead. Watch for:

• Signs in the cafeteria and on vending machines that help you make informed choices.
• Handouts for healthy brown-bag meals, take-out and restaurant meals.
• Tools to help you eat healthy, including recipes, healthy menu options, and tools to help you keep track of your progress.

Helping you feel better

What’s the Step Ahead payoff for you?

• Eating well and getting fit reduces your risk of several serious chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and even some forms of cancer.
• Regular exercise can reduce stress and help depression.
• Combine healthier eating with daily physical activity, and you have a healthy, enjoyable way to gradually lose weight or stop weight gain.
• A healthy, active lifestyle can help you act, look and feel younger. You'll also have more energy on the job and at home with your family.

Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Supported by Grant # R01 HL079483-01 from
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute