he goal of “Wellness for Every Body, Mind and Spirit” is to increase health awareness

and to offer the most current information and resources on myriad health and
wellness issues. Carolyn Pizzuto, vice president for human resources, said, “We
support the organizers’ belief in an active approach to health and wellness.”

Throughout the day, attendees have the opportunity to choose from 20 workshops,
which will be led by noted teachers and authorities. Carolyn Mesnak, who has been
organizing a Kent State health and wellness conference for the last five years, said,
“The workshops are diverse enough to attract an audience ranging from students,
parents, caregivers and health care providers to anyone interested in health and
wellness issues.”

GOVERNMENT CODEAA CHAPTER 664. STATE EMPLOYEES HEALTH

FITNESS AND
EDUCATION
As of September 1, 2009, this document will not be available. Please
update your link to point to:
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/GV/pdf/GV.664.pdf
GOVERNMENT CODE
TITLE 6. PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
SUBTITLE B. STATE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
CHAPTER 664. STATE EMPLOYEES HEALTH FITNESS AND EDUCATION
SUBCHAPTER A. STATE EMPLOYEES HEALTH FITNESS
AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Sec. 664.001.AASHORT TITLE.AAThis subchapter may be cited as
the State Employees Health Fitness and Education Act of
1983.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 2, eff. September
1,
2007.
Sec.A664.002.AAFINDINGS AND PURPOSE.A Effective state
administration is materially enhanced by programs designed
to
encourage and create a condition of health fitness in state
administrators and employees and public money spent for
these
programs serves important public purposes, including:
(1)AAan understanding and diminution of the risk
factors associated with society ’s most debilitating
diseases;
(2)AAthe development of greater work productivity and
capacity;
(3)AAa reduction in absenteeism;
(4)AAa reduction of health insurance costs; and
(5)AAan increase in the general level of fitness.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1993.
1
Sec. 664.003.AADEFINITION.AAIn this subchapter, "state
agency" means a department, institution, commission, or
other
agency of the state.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 3, eff. September
1,
2007.
Sec.A664.004.AAFUNDS AND FACILITIES FOR HEALTH FITNESS
PROGRAMS.A (a)AAA state agency may use available public
funds for:
(1)AAhealth fitness education and activities; or
(2)AAother costs related to health fitness.
(b)AAA state agency may use available facilities for health
fitness programs.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1993.
Sec.A664.005.AAAGREEMENTS WITH OTHER STATE, LOCAL, OR
FEDERAL AGENCIES.A A state agency may, and is encouraged to,
enter
into an agreement with another state agency, including a
state-supported college or university, or with a local or
federal
department, institution, commission, or agency, to present,
join in
presenting, or participate jointly in health fitness
education or
activity programs for the state agency ’s administrators and
employees.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1993.
SUBCHAPTER B. STATE EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
Sec. 664.051.AADEFINITIONS.AAIn this subchapter:
(1)AA"Board" means the Worksite Wellness Advisory
Board.
(2)AA"Department" means the Department of State Health
Services.
(3)AA"Executive commissioner" means the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
(4)AA"State agency" means a department, institution,
commission, or other agency that is in the executive,
judicial, or
2
legislative branch of state government.
(5)AA"State employee" means a state employee who
participates in a health benefits program administered under
Chapter 1551, Insurance Code.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 4, eff.
September
1, 2007.
Sec. 664.052.AARULES.AAThe executive commissioner shall
adopt rules for the administration of this subchapter,
including
rules prescribing the frequency and location of board
meetings.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 4, eff.
September
1, 2007.
Sec. 664.053.AACREATION OF MODEL PROGRAM; DESIGNATION OF
COORDINATOR.A (a)AAThe department shall designate a
statewide
wellness coordinator to create and develop for use by state
agencies a model statewide wellness program to improve the
health
and wellness of state employees.AAThe wellness program may
include:
(1)AAeducation that targets the most costly or
prevalent health care claims, including information
addressing
stress management, nutrition, healthy eating habits, alcohol
and
drug abuse, physical activity, disease prevention, and
smoking
cessation;
(2)AAthe dissemination or use of available health risk
assessment tools and programs, including surveys that
identify an
employee ’s risk level for health-related problems and
programs that
suggest to employees methods for minimizing risks;
(3)AAthe development of strategies for the promotion of
health, nutritional, and fitness-related resources in state
agencies;
(4)AAthe development and promotion of environmental
change strategies that integrate healthy behaviors and
physical
activity, including recommending healthy food choices in
snack
bars, vending machines, and state-run cafeterias located in
state
buildings; and
(5)AAoptional incentives to encourage participation in
the wellness program, including providing flexibility in
employee
3
scheduling to allow for physical activity and participation
in the
wellness program and coordinating discounts with gyms and
fitness
centers across the state.
(b)AAThe statewide wellness coordinator shall:
(1)AAcoordinate with other agencies that administer a
health benefits program under Chapter 1551, Insurance Code,
as
necessary to develop the model wellness program, prevent
duplication of efforts, provide information and resources to
employees, and encourage the use of wellness benefits
included in
the health benefits program;
(2)AAmaintain a set of Internet links to health
resources for use by state employees;
(3)AAdesign an outreach campaign to educate state
employees about health and fitness-related resources,
including
available exercise facilities, online tools, and health and
fitness-related organizations;
(4)AAstudy the implementation and participation rates
of state agency worksite wellness programs and report the
findings
to the legislature biennially; and
(5)AAorganize an annual conference hosted by the
department for all state agency wellness councils.
(c)AAThe statewide wellness coordinator may consult with a
state agency operating health care programs on matters
relating to
wellness promotion.
(d)AAA state agency shall designate an employee to serve as
the wellness liaison between the agency and the statewide
wellness
coordinator.
(e)AAA state agency may implement a wellness program based
on
the model program or components of the model program
developed
under this section.
(f)AAThe statewide wellness coordinator may assist a state
agency in establishing employee wellness demonstration
projects
that incorporate best practices for encouraging employee
participation and the achievement of wellness benefits.AAA
wellness program demonstration project may implement
strategies to
optimize the return of state investment in employee
wellness,
including savings in direct health care costs and savings
from
4
preventing conditions and diagnoses through better employee
wellness.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 4, eff.
September
1, 2007.
Sec. 664.054.AAWORKSITE WELLNESS ADVISORY BOARD;
COMPOSITION.A (a)AAThe board consists of the following 13
members
appointed by the executive commissioner:
(1)AAfive state agency employees, including one
employee of each of the following agencies:
(A)AADepartment of Agriculture;
(B)AATexas Education Agency;
(C)AATexas Department of Transportation;
(D)AATexas Department of Criminal Justice; and
(E)AAthe department;
(2)AAone other employee of the department who is
involved in worksite wellness efforts at the department;
(3)AAone employee of the Employees Retirement System of
Texas;
(4)AAtwo state employee representatives of an eligible
state employee organization described by Section 403.0165
with at
least 10,000 active, dues-paying members;
(5)AAone worksite wellness professional;
(6)AAone representative of the American Cancer Society;
(7)AAone representative of the American Heart
Association; and
(8)AAone representative of the Texas Medical
Association.
(b)AAIn appointing members to the board, the executive
commissioner shall:
(1)AAmake an effort to appoint at least one member from
each of the health and human services regions; and
(2)AAconsider input received from state agency
employees.
(c)AAThe members of the board shall elect a presiding
officer.
(d)AAEach member of the board who is not a state officer or
5
employee serves a two-year term expiring February 1 of each
odd-numbered year and may be reappointed.AAEach member of
the board
who is a state officer or employee serves on the board at
the
pleasure of the executive commissioner.
(e)AAIf a vacancy occurs, the executive commissioner shall
appoint a person to fill the vacancy.
(f)AAA state officer or employee appointed to the board
serves on the board ex officio as an additional duty of the
member ’s
office or employment.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 4, eff.
September
1, 2007.
Sec. 664.055.AAREIMBURSEMENT.AAA member of the board may not
receive compensation for service as a board member but is
entitled
to reimbursement of the member ’s travel expenses:
(1)AAunder the rules for reimbursement that apply to
the member ’s office or employment, if the member is a state
officer
or employee; or
(2)AAas provided by the General Appropriations Act, if
the member is not a state officer or employee.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 4, eff.
September
1, 2007.
Sec. 664.056.AAADMINISTRATION.AAThe board is
administratively attached to the department.AAThe department
shall
provide the staff necessary for the board to perform its
duties.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 4, eff.
September
1, 2007.
Sec. 664.057.AAAPPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW.AAChapter 2110
does not apply to the size, composition, or duration of the
board.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 4, eff.
September
1, 2007.
Sec. 664.058.AADONATIONS.AAThe board may receive in-kind and
monetary gifts, grants, and donations from public and
private
donors to be used for the purposes of this subchapter.
6
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 4, eff.
September
1, 2007.
Sec. 664.059.AADUTIES.AAThe board shall advise the
department, executive commissioner, and statewide wellness
coordinator on worksite wellness issues, including:
(1)AAfunding and resource development for worksite
wellness programs;
(2)AAidentifying food service vendors that
successfully market healthy foods;
(3)AAbest practices for worksite wellness used by the
private sector; and
(4)AAworksite wellness features and architecture for
new state buildings based on features and architecture used
by the
private sector.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 4, eff.
September
1, 2007.
Sec. 664.060.AASTATE AGENCY WELLNESS COUNCILS.A (a)AAA state
agency may facilitate the development of a wellness council
composed of employees and managers of the agency to promote
worksite wellness in the agency.
(b)AAA wellness council may work to:
(1)AAincrease employee interest in worksite wellness;
(2)AAdevelop and implement policies to improve agency
infrastructure to allow for increased worksite wellness; and
(3)AAinvolve employees in worksite wellness programs.
(c)AAMembers of a wellness council may review the
recommendations of the board and develop a plan to implement
the
recommendations.
(d)AAA state agency may allow its employees to participate
in
wellness council activities for two or more hours each
month.
(e)AAThe department shall provide technical support to each
state agency wellness council and shall provide financial
support
to councils if funds are available.
(f)AAA wellness council may annually identify best practices
for worksite wellness in the agency and report the practices
to the
7
board.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 4, eff.
September
1, 2007.
Sec. 664.061.AAAGENCY WELLNESS POLICIES.AAA state agency
may:
(1)AAallow each employee 30 minutes during normal
working hours for exercise three times each week;
(2)AAallow all employees to attend on-site wellness
seminars when offered; and
(3)AAprovide eight hours of additional leave time each
year to an employee who:
(A)AAreceives a physical examination; and
(B)AAcompletes either an online health risk
assessment tool provided by the board or a similar health
risk
assessment conducted in person by a worksite wellness
coordinator.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665, Sec. 4, eff.
September
1, 2007.

8ey concept # 1: The Illness/Wellness Continuum

Wellness is never static. No matter what your current state of health, you can begin to appreciate
yourself as a growing, changing person and allow yourself to move to a more joyful and positive state
of well-being.

Illness is often the body-mind's attempt to wake us up and become more conscious. Wellness is an
approach to health that encompasses a process of awareness, education, and growth. What matters
most right now is what direction you are facing-towards High Level Wellness, or towards Premature
Death.

Moving from the center to the left (Fig. X) shows a progressively worsening state of health. Moving
to the right of center indicates increasing levels of health and well-being. The treatment model can
bring you to the neutral point, where the symptoms of disease are alleviated . The wellness model,
which may be utilized at any point, directs you beyond neutral and encourages you to move as far to
the right as possible. It is not meant to replace the treatment model on the left side of the continuum,
but to work in harmony with it. If you are ill, then treatment is important, but don't stop there.

Key concept # (2): The Iceberg Model

Illness and health are only the tip of an iceberg. To understand their cause, as John Travis, M.D. says,
you must look below the surface:

[Iceberg image]

Icebergs are interesting! They reveal only about one-tenth of their mass above the water. The
remaining nine-tenths remain submerged. This is why they are such a nightmare in navigation and
why they make such an appropriate metaphor in considering your state of wellness.

Your current state of health-be it one of disease or vitality-is just like the tip of the iceberg. This is the
apparent part-what shows. If you don't like it, you can attempt to change it, "do things" to it, chisel
away at an unwanted condition. But, whenever you knock some off, more of the same comes up to
take its place.

To understand all that creates and supports your current state of health, you have to look
"underwater". As you can see in Fig. X, the first level encountered is the Lifestyle/Behavioral level-
what you eat, how you use and exercise your body, how you relax and let go of stress, and how you
safeguard yourself from hazards around you.

Many of us follow lifestyles that we know are destructive, both to our own well-being, the people
around us, and to our planet. Yet we may feel powerless to change them. To understand why, we must
look still deeper, to the Cultural/Psychological/Motivational level. Here we find what moves us to lead
the lifestyle we've chosen. We learn how our cultural norms and family influence us in subtle yet
powerful ways from a very early age. Exploring this level, we also can become conscious of any
ongoing psychological "payoffs" based on early life experiences and ultimately, their cost-to our
physical and mental well-being.

Exploring below the Cultural/Psychological/Motivational level, we encounter the

Spiritual/Being/Meaning level. Actually, we prefer to call it a realm rather than a level because it has
no distinct boundaries. It includes the mystical, mysterious and metaphysical and everything else in
the unconscious mind, and concerns such issues as your reason for being, the real meaning of your
life, and your place in the universe. How you address these questions, and the answers you choose,
underlie and permeate all of the layers above. Ultimately, this realm determines whether the tip of the
iceberg, representing your state of health, is one of disease or wellness.

Key concept # (3): Predictive Medicine

By comparing the 10 leading causes of death in the United States from 1900 with those of today, we
find that deaths in 1900 were mostly due to infectious disease while today most deaths are attributable
to lifestyle factors-diet, exercise, etc. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (Healthy People 2000) lifestyle accounts for 19 of the 21 major causes of illness and death
today.

What is even more important is that most "diseases of civilization" take a long time to develop (Fig.
1), and medical science has uncovered many of the key factors that contribute to particular diseases.
Genetics, although much hyped by the media, accounts for less than 25 percent of our modern ills -
our environment and lifestyles are much more important to our well-being than previously thought.

Today, after doing a complete wellness assessment (meta-analysis), we can often predict what types of
problems are likely to occur in an individual and take appropriate action. Please consult The Ageless
Zone, Nevada Medical Spa and Salon.

Key concept # (4): Psycho Neuro Immunology (PNI)

As recently as the 1980s, conventional medicine still tended to treat the body and mind as separate
entities. We now know that the mind and body are inextricably linked and that the health of one
influences the other. This area of practice is known as mind/body medicine.

The Increments of Chronic Disease

A
Stag
g Atherosclerosis Cancer Osteoarthritis Diabetes Emphysema Cirrhosis
e
e
2 Carcinogen Abnormal
Start Elevated cholesterol Obesity Smoker Drinker
0 exposure cartilage staining
Disc
3 Small plaques on Cellular Slight joint space Abnormal Mild airway
erni Fatty liver on biopsy
0 arteriogram metaplasia narrowing glucose tolerance obstruction
ble
Sub
4 Larger plaques on Increasing Elevated fasting X-ray
clini Bone spurs Enlarged liver
0 arteriogram metaplasia blood glucose inflation
cal
Thre
5 Leg pain on Carcinoma in Shortness of
shol Mild articular pain Sugar in urine Upper GI hemorrhage
0 exercise situ breath
d
6 Seve Clinical Moderate articular Hypoglycaemic Recurrent
Angina pectoris Ascites
0 re cancer pain drug requirement hospitalisation
Blindness;
7 Metastatic Intractable Jaundice; hepatic
End Stroke, heart attack Disabled neuropathy;
0 cancer oxygen debt coma
nephropathy
 Figure 1

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is the study of the interrelations between the mind (psycho), nervous
and hormonal system (neuro-endocrine) and the immune system (immunology).

Pioneering researcher Candace Pert, PhD, at Rutgers University, believes that as emotions fluctuate-
for example, from anger to pleasure-neuropeptides (neurotransmitters) sweep through the body
systems in response, signaling physical changes such as a rise in blood pressure or relaxation of
muscles.

Emotions, such as anxiety, stress, depression and loneliness, have been shown to depress the immune
system. Writing in Anatomy of an Illness (Bantam (Toronto), 1981), Norman Cousins, M.D.,showed
how positive emotions like joy and laughter seemed to produce positive PNI effects and believes this
was responsible for curing his debilitating arthritis.

Relationships and social networks also provide powerful protection against stress and disease.
Epidemiological studies show this connection. For example, a 1992 study of heart patients at Duke
University showed that those without a spouse or confidante were three times as likely to die within
five years of diagnosis as those who were married or had a close friend or animal companion.

Biofeedback is a practical way of showing how the mind mirrors and influences the body.

In summary, our thoughts (worldview) prompt moods (emotions and feelings) that are reflected in
physiological reactions that have an impact, for better or worse, on our well-being. This realm is the
more subjective and hidden part of the iceberg but is by far the most important for our health.

The Future of Wellness

Resort-Spa Medicine
Resort-Spa Medicine and conventional medicine adopt very different approaches.

Conventional medicine is disease-oriented and diagnosis-driven: doctors use symptoms and medical
tests to assess the problem and ascribe treatment. Resort-Spa Medicine is wellness-oriented and deals
with the client as a whole. In a relaxed environment, our health professionals see illness as a disruption
of physical and mental well-being. No treatment is given; rather clients become more aware, educated,
and encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyle choices to stimulate the body's natural self-healing and self-
regulating abilities.

I left my specialties in Internal and Emergency Medicine when I recognized that the current medical
model is outdated. A new model, which incorporates integrative medicine and other alternative
medical therapies, needs to be recoginized. Today, vital medical information must be made available to
clients in a practical manner that can be readily adopted and integrated into their daily lives. An HMO-
styled practice offers little for both practitioner and patient beyond a drugstore. Most drugs, however,
don't cure; they just result in the modification of symptoms.

Resort spas are poised to become the natural delivery sites for this new wellness health model. This
individualized approach gives each person an opportunity to focus on him- or herself and reassess
one's own lifestyle in a relaxed, supportive setting.

High-end spa wellness programs support and update their clients via computer throughout the year,
sharing useful information, practical resources and experiential techniques. In addition, "health
guides" will update clients on current medical breakthroughs or other valid information to help clients
stay on a productive path to wellness.

Until recently, resort spas, at least those in the U.S., have been more beauty and pampering centered.
In the decades ahead, I believe that resort spas will extend their services to emphasize wellness and
longevity, incorporating many alternative medical therapies and focusing on the whole person.

See Also: Definition of Alternative Medicine

Keys to Wellness
A Dietary List from A to Z
10 Myths about Weight Loss
The Concept of Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load