CBIA members among 'Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles'

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CBIA members among ‘Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles’

Pitney Bowes, Aetna and CIGNA were among 33 companies nationwide named this year as “Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles” by the National Business Group on Health. The awards acknowledge and reward employers that have responded to the need to improve their workers’ health, productivity and quality of life.

“Obesity and overweight employees cost U.S. employers more than $13 billion annu-ally,” says LuAnn Heinen, director of the Business Group’s Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity, which created the awards program. “More companies are getting serious about improving the health of their workers,” she says. The Business Group’s award program recognized 50% more employers this year than last year, she notes.

The employers honored this year include those who use marketing approaches and offer incentives to increase employee participation in wellness programs, and who improve the work environment by offering on-site fitness centers and weight management programs, designing walking routes, and changing cafeterias and vending machines to promote healthful eating habits.

Winners were honored in one of three categories: Platinum, for established “Healthy Weight, Healthy Lifestyles” programs with measurable success and documented outcomes; Gold, for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who are committed to long-term behavior changes; and Silver, for employers who have launched programs or services to promote living a healthier lifestyle.

Pitney Bowes and Aetna won Platinum awards, while CIGNA won Gold.
Pitney Bowes was honored for its “Health Care University,” a program the company has been offering for more than 10 years. Its current program is entitled “Count Your Way to Health,” and provides incentives for adopting healthy behaviors in five areas: smoking cessation, healthy eating, proper weight, physical activity, and seat belt and helmet use.

Aetna was honored for its Healthy Lifestyles program, which offers financial incentives for participation in educational courses, use of Web-based health resources, preventive-care visits and workout activities. Employees can earn financial rewards, which can be deposited in a health savings account, employer-established fund or paycheck in order to help employees manage their health care expenses. The program also offers other incentives, such as free pedometers, to make physical fitness a priority.

CIGNA received a Gold Award for its Healthy Life Initiative, which combines consumer-driven health care benefits, wellness and work/life programs. This integrated, proactive approach to employee health educates and engages employees in their health care decision-making.