Dixie Regional Medical Center - Prescription for Exercise

What is it?

Organized by Dixie Regional and implemented by Family Healthcare Clinics, providers prescribe aerobic activity and recommend muscle-strengthening exercise. Clinics track outcomes and encourage activity at every visit.

Who is it for?

Patients with chronic disease, obesity, an unhealthy lifestyle, or individuals at risk for these factors at the four clinics in southern Utah.

Why do they do it?

The 2012 community health needs assessment showed chronic disease and obesity among the most significant health concerns in the community. Research also showed that low-income and food insecure populations were more likely to be clinically obese. In addition, 2013 baseline clinic records showed that the average patient exercised two or fewer times a week.

Impact

Outcomes for 2014 showed that 15,797 patients were asked about exercise and 6,754 prescriptions were issued. This resulted in an 8.47 percent increase in patients exercising, the majority of which were getting more than 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week.

Contact: Terri Draper
Regional Director, Communications
Telephone: 435-251-2108
Email: terri.draper@imail.org