American Heart Association honors four area businesses

CoxHealth, Missouri State University, MJ Kelly Co. and Ollis & Co. were named among the AHA’s 2008 Fit-Friendly Companies for demonstrating commitment to employees’ fitness. The association’s Start! Fit-Friendly recognition program calls for employers to encourage workplace wellness and create a workplace environment conducive to physical activity, specifically walking.

According to a news release, among the practices these companies have implemented are:

• Establishing walking routes around the office and encouraging walking teams;

• Offering healthy options in cafeterias or vending machines;

• Generating online newsletters and implementing tracking tools; and

• Allowing staff to wear athletic shoes in the workplace on designated “sneaker days.”

“The Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program is easy to implement and not only can improve employees’ health and wellness, but has proven positive effects on the bottom line,” said Karla Johansen, AHA regional vice president of corporate development, in the release.

Adults spend most of their waking hours at work, and many are in sedentary careers that raise their risk for medical problems such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face ever-increasing health care costs – and according to data cited by AHA, $12.7 billion in annual medical expenses is expected to come from obesity alone.

“Studies suggest that implementing a worksite physical activity program and promoting a culture of physical activity can help companies increase productivity and reduce absenteeism, turnover rates and costs,” Johansen added, citing a recent study that showed $1.65 in health care expenses can be saved for every dollar an employer invests in wellness.

Employers that adopt the Start! Fit-Friendly program qualify for official recognition on the AHA’s national Web site as well as other promotional opportunities such as the right to use the recognition seal for internal, external and recruitment-related communications.

A second list of 2008 Fit-Friendly companies will be announced in September following an extensive review of applications submitted by the July 15 deadline.

At the April 12 Start! Heart Walk in Springfield, nearly 1,000 walkers from across Missouri participated, raising more than $150,000 to fight cardiovascular disease.

Companies that want to get involved in the Fit-Friendly program can learn more at www.americanheart.org. [[In-content Ad]]