Regence BlueCross BlueShield has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company by the American Heart Association's Start! movement for helping employees eat better and move more.
"Physical activity and employee wellness are important priorities at Regence," said Mark Ganz, Regence president and CEO. "We're committed to providing the best workplace environment possible and helping our employees lead healthier lives. We are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association's Start! Movement."
Platinum-level employers:
- Offer employees physical activity options in the workplace
- Regence received additional AHA community innovation award one -- of only eight nationally -- for outdoor boot camp exercise program to teach exercise techniques to employees, friends and families
- Increase healthy eating options at the worksite
- Regence offers 35% discounts on healthy choices
- Promote a wellness culture in the workplace
- Holistic program reinforced by seasonal activities, messages, emails, etc
- Implement at least nine criteria outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture
- Regence offers on-site gyms and gym discounts; on-site nutrition programs like Weight Watchers and Kinetix
- Demonstrate measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness
- Return on investment of $1.59 includes fewer absences and slower growth in medical claims for certain participants
The Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping companies make their employees' health and wellness a priority.
American employers face increasing healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity that cost an estimated $225.8 billion a year. Many American adults spend most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs. Their lack of physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in annual medical expenses due to obesity alone. Start! helps change corporate cultures by motivating employees to start walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity.