News

Meriden Health & Human Services Department News

Web Site: http://www.meridenhealth.com
165 Miller St., Meriden, CT 06450
Tel: (203) 630-4226 Fax: (203) 639-0039

MDHHS is committed to improving the quality of life for all it serves through the promotion of health, prevention of disease, and by assuring a safe and clean environment.

View all News Articles for Meriden Health & Human Services Department

Eat Well, Be Active at Work!

November 11, 2010

Every year, U.S. businesses spend billions of dollars on the healthcare of their employees for diseases that are impacted by obesity and inactivity such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and cancer. As technology continues to improve, the need for physical exertion on the job continues to decrease. Longer work weeks, fast-paced lifestyles, family commitments, as well as other reasons, are driving Americans to eat more on the go than ever before. For employees, demands of the job and fast-paced lifestyles pose a significant challenge to maintaining individual health. For employers, poor employee health leads to lower productivity, lower morale, higher absenteeism, and higher insurance claims.

If communities are going to make strides in reducing obesity and employers are going to offset the rising costs of healthcare, then employees need to be reached where they spend most of their day...at work. Worksite health promotion programs are a convenient option for assisting employees in health and lifestyle areas that ultimately affect the company�s bottom line. Research continues to show a return on investment to employers when they invest money in the health of their employees through comprehensive health promotion programs. Additionally, worksite health promotion programs continue to gain popularity as an outstanding recruitment and retention tool to attract and maintain high quality employees that are healthier and more productive. Whether the employee or employer takes the initiative, worksites are a great environment to create and support change, and have many benefits:

Potential benefits to employers: Reduces cost for chronic diseases; Decreases absenteeism; Reduces employee turnover; Improves worker satisfaction and improves morale; Demonstrates concern for your employees.

Potential benefits to your employees: Ensures greater productivity; Reduces absenteeism; Improves fitness and health; Provides social opportunity and source of support within the workplace.

The Meriden Health Department is encouraging local businesses and organizations to consider either making environmental changes or initiating policies to support health promotion activities. These could include swapping out vending machine items for healthier options or having a policy to offer healthy foods and activity breaks at meetings, events, and other activities supported by the business. The Health Department has a guide to healthy meetings and events, and can help you draft your policy (we'll even frame it for you!). Please call the Community Health Education office at 203-630-4238 if you are interested. Be well!

Member News is provided as a service of the Midstate Chamber of Commerce and is also featured in the monthly "Chamber News" newsletter mailed to members.