News release from the American Heart Association:
Deadline approaching for Companies to Apply for Fit-Friendly recognition
American Heart Association Program Promotes Corporate Wellness, Cultural Change
(July 12, 2012) – The American Heart Association is seeking nominations by July 31 from forward thinking companies leading the way to provide their employees with a culture of physical activity and health for the Fit-Friendly Companies Award.
The American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Companies program will recognize employers in Fort Wayne and across the country who champion the health and wellness of their employees by creating and encouraging a culture of physical activity in the workplace. Companies can apply to be recognized by the American Heart Association as “Fit Friendly” — a certification they can use in their hiring and recruitment processes. Companies who want to reach this goal must meet criteria set by the American Heart Association.
“We’re honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our efforts to create a healthier work environment for our employees,” said Rick Cochran, President and CEO of Physicians Health Plan (PHP). “Physical activity and employee wellness are important priorities at PHP.”
There are Platinum, Gold and Community Fitness Innovation award levels. Companies will be judged on three criteria: physical activities that are encouraged on site; nutritional education and healthy food options that are available; and the general culture of health promoted at the work place. Allen County area companies receiving Fit Friendly status in the first half of 2012 include:
Gold Level in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Ash Brokerage Corporation
- Britton Marketing and Design Group
- Central Branch YMCA
- Lutheran Life Villages
- PHP
- Raytheon NCS (Fort Wayne)
- Spiece Fitness
- Jorgensen Family YMCA
- IPFW
Gold Level in Auburn
- DeKalb Memorial Hospital
Platinum Level
- Schneider Electric, Huntington
Obesity costs American companies $225.8 billion per year in lost productivity. And physical inactivity doubles the risk of heart disease, the No. 1 killer in America. With healthcare costs skyrocketing and obesity and Type 2 diabetes on the rise, the American Heart Association encourages companies to promote physical activity and health in the workplace. The American Heart Association is offering employers an opportunity to proactively address these issues through its Fit-Friendly Companies Program.
Employers who adopt the American Heart Association’s Fit Friendly Companies Program will also be recognized by the AHA on the program’s national website. In addition, eligible companies will be granted the right to use the program’s annual recognition seal for internal communications to employees and external, recruitment-related communications.
Companies interested in joining the American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Companies Program can download instructions and the official application at Heart.org/FitFriendly. Applications are due by July 31 and will be reviewed by and an expert panel.
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