Vitamin D Resolution Contest
As you prepare for 2015, GrassrootsHealth would like to hear from you - what will you do differently in 2015? What are some of your vitamin D resolutions? Do you know your current vitamin D blood level? Is it where you want it to be? Do you have people you would like to influence? Would you like to make a change to your practice?
To submit your ideas, please email [email protected] using the format described below. We will choose a most impactful winner and they will receive a year's subscription to the D*action project. Runner up will receive a one-time blood test with D*action. All submissions are due by January 12th, and will be announced in the January 14th newsletter.
Goals: How can we be impactful in 2015?
 What are your goals with respect to vitamin D personally, within your family, and within a bigger population group? Maybe last year you worked on your own vitamin D levels, and now it is time to move to your family, or to your friends.
Take a minute and write down these goals. Be as specific as possible, because the next step is to plan how to achieve this goal and then how to measure success.
Plan: Tools from GrassrootsHealth
Think about how you plan to attack your goals. On the personal side, if you want to make sure you know your vitamin D level, then your goal might be to complete two D*action blood tests in 2 015 (we recommend testing once every 6 months).
If you have a goal to spread the word about vitamin D, what are some ways that you can do that? Through word of mouth, social media, handouts, meetings? GrassrootsHealth has a lot of information that you can share with others - from very simple handouts or videos to medical research papers.
In the beginner's corner and the references section of this newsletter we have put some very popular links that are great to share. Feel free to make copies of this information, have handouts at your practice, have people over for popcorn and show a video on your big screen. You may use any of these materials for your friends and family.
Success: Measurement and D*action
 D*action is the ultimate tool for measurement. Most people won't believe they are deficient until they see the data firsthand. Everyone understands numbers. When you ask someone to test their blood level and partner it with the Disease Incidence Prevention Chart, then people understand where they are and can also ascertain where they want to be.
Every new person that joins D*action helps strengthen our data set, our analysis, and our voice for change.
Last week we reported on a change in the Missoula Public Health administration and one of the key parts of success was due to testing. Many doctors and administrators knew their own vitamin D levels before they were asked to get vitamin D blood levels for their patients. It was reported that after testing, the doctors and administrators were much more supportive of the program, and continued to be as they saw the results from their patient base.
Format
As you send in your resolution please include a goal, a plan, and a measurement portion. For example:
Goal - My goal is to educate my co-workers (I work in an office) about the benefits of vitamin D.
Plan - To put the "Scientists Call to Action" and the "Disease Incidence Prevention Chart" in the break room. To hold a monthly meeting where I show a video and answer questions. To have a walking group at lunch in the summer to enjoy the benefits of the sun.
Measurement - I will consider it a success if five of my co-workers join D*action. I will be overjoyed if three of my co-workers get their blood level to recommended ranges by the end of 2015. (I have 10 co-workers).
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