The mission of Health Promotions is to enhance mission readiness, unit performance and the health and fitness of military personnel, beneficiaries, and civilian employees through the creation of a culture within the Department of Defense that values health and fitness and empowers individuals and organizations to actualize those values and achieve optimal health. To provide effective, integrated, and comprehensive health promotion programs, disease and injury prevention programs and population health programs throughout the Department of Defense. To provide healthy environments for DoD personnel and visitors.
The Semper Fit Health Promotion goal is to continuously improve the use of, and trends in, healthy lifestyles and behaviors as reported by the DoD Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Military Personnel, the primary indicator of health trends in the Marine Corps.
HEALTH PROMOTION COMMAND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Ultimately, Semper Fit Health Promotion will create an atmosphere within the Marine Corps that contributes to total health and wellness. To achieve this atmosphere, all Marines must understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Through proper training and education the goal of total health will be attainable. It is mandated by MCO P1700.29 that commands support and comply with Semper Fit’s Health Promotion Education Program and do so by the following guidelines:
Marine Corps commands shall ensure that all Marines receive education and training annually in suicide awareness, STD/HIV transmission prevention, alcohol and substance abuse prevention and control, and the effect of tobacco use
Commands shall ensure that three additional hours of Semper Fit Health Promotion training are provided and received annually. The three hours may be divided among the remaining leading health indicators or Semper Fit Elements. The choice of training should be based upon the needs and interests of the respective units.
LEADING HEALTH INDICATORS
The leading health indicators, as defined by Healthy People 2010, reflect the major public health issues in the United States. Embedded in these health indicators are a variety of health education, promotion and awareness activities. The leading health indicators are intended to help everyone more easily understand the importance of health promotion and disease prevention, and to encourage wide participation in improving health in the next decade.
The Marines Corps defines the following topics as the most prevalent issues that impact mission readiness:
Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation
Substance Abuse
Mental Health
Responsible Sexual Behavior
Disease Prevention
Nutrition
Healthy Weight
Physical Activity and Fitness
Injury Prevention and Violence
Through the programs and activities, the Semper Fit Health Promotion Program will improve the overall health status of the Marine Corps and its family.
MASSAGE THERAPY PROGRAM
Often times people are stressed in our culture. Stress-related disorders make up to between 80 and 90 percent of the ailments that bring people to their family-practice physicians. The benefits associated with massage therapy are countless. Below are just a few of the physical and mental benefits that come from massage therapy.
PHYSICAL
Enhances performance
Strengthens the immune system
Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
Provides great joint flexibility and range of motion
Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy
Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduce pain and swelling; reduce the formation of excessive scar tissue
MENTAL
Fosters peace of mind
Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
Reduces levels of anxiety
Creates body awareness Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
