Healthy Community Coalition to Hold

Annual Work Healthy Program

Awards businesses that promote good health for their employees

Farmington¾

 

Healthy Community Coalition is holding its annual Work Healthy! Program, which recognizes businesses and organizations in Greater Franklin County that have placed a high priority on promoting good health for their employees.

 

By supporting a tobacco-free lifestyle, encouraging physical activity, providing a breast feeding friendly environment, and/or promoting healthy eating—businesses and organizations may realize the benefits of a healthier workforce including reduced absenteeism, reduced disability costs, reduced health care costs, improved productivity, and increased moral and loyalty.

 

“It’s easy to do, engages staff, and has many benefits,” said Nicole Ditata, Healthy Maine Partnership director. “A business may already qualify if it has a written tobacco-free policy, a breast feeding policy, offers healthy food choices, and promotes health and wellness in a variety of ways.”

 

According to Ditata, Healthy Community Coalition staff can provide no-cost technical assistance ideas and guidance for implementing strategies. A sampling of activities used by area businesses include: implementing the company’s tobacco policy; offering a brown bag forum on healthy eating; offering healthy food options when hosting meetings; and organizing a corporate team to participate in a charity walk.

 

During its first year the program had 12 organizations participate and Ditata hopes to double the number of participants this year.

 

For additional information contact Nicole Ditata at Healthy Community Coalition at 779-2932 or register online: http://www.fchn.org/hcc/health/work-healthy.

 

Registration deadline is May 15.