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1st appeared
09
January 2001
Web-Based Program Promotes Physical Activity Among State's Workers The California Health Promotion Collaborative, representing health and human resource professionals throughout California, has launched a new website. The website aims to promote physical activity among California’s workforce. "Physically active employees are healthier, more productive, have higher self-esteem, use fewer health care dollars and even look healthier," said James Carman, MS, Employee Health Promotion Coordinator with the Physical Activity Health Initiative of the UCSF Institute for Health and Aging. Active employees are also more likely to successfully make other healthy changes in their lives – like quitting smoking, adopting healthier eating habits or controlling their weight, said Jill Dorris, President of the San Diego Wellness Coalition, a partner in the California Health Promotion Collaborative. The "Take Action!" website helps participants set their own 10-week physical activity goals and strive to achieve them with incentive prizes and the encouragement of a team of 15-30 co-workers, explained Carman. "The team building encourages friendly competition, social support and camaraderie," he added. More than 60 percent of adult Californians are currently sedentary and obesity has increased 67 percent among California adults since 1991, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (December 15, 1999) recommends that employers invest in improving modifiable health risks among employees to maximize their return on health care costs. The study found that increasing activity one day a week was associated with a drop of 4.7 percent in median health care charges. In addition, those who maintain normal weight for their body type, exercise three days per week, and have never smoked boasted 49 percent lower health care costs. In short, physical activity is good business, said Carman. The website was developed through the cooperative effort of the UCSF Institute for Health and Aging and the California Health Promotion Collaborative, which includes the Association for Worksite Health Promotion and local health promotion coalitions throughout the state. To learn more about this free service to all California workers, become a coordinator or team captain at your work place, or find out about promotional opportunities that target work sites or consumers, visit the website or contact James Carman at 916/324-3996. Links: California Health Promotion Collaborative UCSF Institute for Health and Aging Source: Maureen McInaney, News Services |
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