Health vs. Wellness
Many of us confuse health and wellness as being the same thing, describing them as the overall well-being of your body, mind, and soul, when in fact, health and wellness are two separate parts of well-being, although they are both equally important.
Health describes your quality of life, or the act of keeping your body, mind, and soul healthy. It is the state of complete well-being, which requires practice and care to maintain. Wellness describes general well-being, or the act of living a healthy lifestyle. It is the overall balance of body, mind, and soul, which requires constant management to keep you feeling your best.
Wellness for Life Program
Looking to become more fit? Want to quit smoking? Wondering how you can make the switch to fresher, healthier foods? Pitt's Wellness for Life program focuses on proactive health care management. Services are offered to promote positive lifestyle activities and choices. A healthy lifestyle may even reduce health care cost escalation for you and your family. We regularly post news and events for the numerous health and wellness programs and services that we offer to complement our medical benefits plans. Faculty and staff can also participate in the wellness incentives program by earning reward dollars for every healthy activity you complete. Explore the list of healthy activities and reward values on the Wellness Incentives page.
Health Coaching
Health coaching is available for faculty, staff, covered spouses and domestic partners at Pitt with UPMC Health Plan coverage on campus, over the phone, and online. Learn how to manage stress, get in shape, and make lifestyle changes that work for you.
Ask a Health Coach
Meet with a health coach to discuss health and wellness goals, learn strategies such as goal setting, tracking your habits, and finding good social support as well as gain important knowledge and skills to make lasting behavior change happen.
Schedule an appointment or email a question to Pitt's Health Coach.
Physical Wellness Resources
Health Community Programs
Health programs within your local community are great ways to get active and meet new people. Visit Pittsburgh offers maps of walking trails around Pittsburgh, BikePGH offers bike routes and community events throughout the year, and POGOH is Pittsburgh's bike-share system (Pitt employees have access to unlimited, free 30-minute rides; learn how to activate the benefit). UPMC also hosts year-round health-related events for members and their families.
MyHealth@Work
An onsite health and wellness center exclusively for faculty and staff, MyHealth@Work that treats a variety of health issues at no cost, regardless of insurance coverage. Services also include blood pressure checks and one-on-one health coaching for faculty, staff, and departments.
On-Campus Facilities
Facilities are available across campus for faculty, staff, and students to work out, swim, and play recreational sports. Facilities include the Pitt Recreation and Wellness Center, and the University Club.
Active&Fit Direct Program
With the Active&Fit Direct Program (PDF), UPMC Health Plan participants have access to a wide range of national fitness centers and on-demand fitness videos for just $28 a month.
