PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: July 28, 2013 Contact: Lori Jarvis Telephone: (800) 555-1212

Email: LJarvis@worksitewellness.com Website: myworksitehealthpromotionplan.com

Broward County Community Wellness Seminar Getting Fit and Healthy at Community Worksites (Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 10; Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease: 52.9) UPDATE (FORT LAUDERDALE, FL) The Broward County Health Department's initiative is on a mission to get community members fit and healthy at work. The initiative helps to reduce obesity, to stop tobacco use, and promote preventive health care. Community employers have the opportunity to enroll their worksites in a wellness program. Employers learned all about the program at todays seminar held at the Broward County Convention Center. My Worksite Health Promotion Plan program assists small employers in setting up low-cost health promotion programs at their worksite. Programs are designed to meet the needs of the smaller employer. Grants are available up to $2,000 to businesses that participate in the community-based worksite program. As part of the Healthy People 2020 objective to increase worksite wellness and health promotion, the Health Department has adopted this program. It is designed to assist community employers in starting a health and wellness promotion program at their company.1 Renowned exercise scientist and guest speaker, Dr. Steven Blair has researched the health benefits of physical activity for more than 25 years. He mentions that physical inactivity is probably the biggest public health problem we have in this countrytoo many people sit far too much, and this is a huge public health problem.2 -more-

Dr. Blair continues, I think companies should pay more attention to formal worksite physical activity programs.2 His recommendation is on point. Starting a worksite wellness program is the solution to this problem. Companies should try to achieve a positive wellness culture that contributes to the physical, mental, and emotional health of their workforce. The end result is a more productive and constructive workplace. Once in place, a worksite wellness program can show employer values for employees through a mission to increase the health status of its workforce. Employer respect of employee time and talents and their non-work demands are important too. Employers will see the difference within the first year of the program. Employees will take less sick days from work and they will see a reduce in their associated health care expenses.3 It is important for companies to identity the link between the workplace and the health of the workers. Companies should provide their employees opportunities for better long-term health to protect their safety, health, and enhanced quality of life.3 This seminar showed us how worksite wellness can help employees to take responsibility for their own lifestyle choices by informing them of health hazards and opportunities for wellness. Worksite wellness will enhance employee productivity, and reduce absences. Overtime employers will see a reduction in health care costs because their employees learn to seek preventative care.3 Are you working to make your worksite a healthy place for your workforce? Lori Jarvis, Wellness Consultant for My Worksite Health Promotion Plan can answer your questions and help your organization to get started on a program that is designed for your workforce needs. ###

References 1. US Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2020. Educational and Community-Based Programs: Intervention and Resources. http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicId=11. Accessed July 28, 2013. 2. WELCO News and Views. Expert Interviews. Taking a Stand on Sitting Down. Wellness Council of America. http://www.welcoa.org/freeresources/pdf/newsviews_blair_2010.pdf. Accessed July 28, 2013. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Workplace Health Promotion. Making a Business Case. http://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion. Accessed July 28, 2013.