The purpose of the Know Stroke initiative is to highlight important information about how you can reduce your risk of stroke, (e.g., by lowering your sodium consumption). It also helps you to identify the early warning signs of stroke, and what to do if you recognize these signs and symptoms.

Planning a theme-related event is a great way to let employees know about upcoming activities, contests, resources, and information available to them. By doing this, you will help employees make the connection between the event or activity and the other components of your campaign for the Know Stroke initiative. Below are a variety of ideas that can be organized as stand alone events or integrated into upcoming functions at work. Feel free to adapt these ideas to suit the needs of your workplace, or come up with one of your own.

 

	Blood Pressure Screening Organize a blood pressure screening clinic for your employees. There are many private organizations, such as the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) and Kelly Services Inc. that can conduct health screening clinics at your workplace on a fee-for-service basis. This screening clinic could also include blood sugar, body mass index, waist circumference, and cholesterol values measured by qualified health care providers. Don’t forget to include a tracking card so employees can follow up with their primary health care provider!
	Blood Pressure Action Plan Interactive Tool Promote the Heart and Stroke’s My Blood Pressure Action Plan online tool. This interactive tool is free and provides a personalized health assessment report. Reports can be printed or emailed to encourage individuals to share the results with their primary health care provider. Forward the link to staff or set up a computer station to allow individuals an opportunity to visit this interactive website tool.
	Healthy Meal Planning- Lunch and Learn Host a lunch and learn presentation to educate employees on how to plan meals and reduce the amount of sodium consumed on a daily basis. Visit Community Resources for Healthy Eating for suggestions of agencies that may be able to provide this service.
	Pay Stub Messages / Email Attachments Include healthy living tips on pay stubs for employees. Inform employees of upcoming screening clinics, disease awareness months, blood drives, and other health events happening in the community. At the bottom of company-wide emails, you can include a link to http://www.sodium101.ca to encourage employees to get the facts on sodium!