The American Heart Association has designated Start! Walking Paths across the nation. You can find the signs in parks, around downtown, in shopping malls and more. Discover your local path and get on the road to good health!
Start! Moving -- for Your Employees
Investing in the health of employees is one of the best decisions a company can make. At least 25 percent of the healthcare costs incurred by working adults are attributed to modifiable health risks such as poor diet and lack of exercise.
Challenges Corporations Face Today
With more pressure today than ever before, Corporate America is struggling to be profitable while healthcare costs continue to rise and attack their most important resource -- employees.
Most executives know that creating a wellness environment is the only way to have healthier employees and ultimately lower healthcare costs.
Studies Show:
- Fitness programs have reduced employer healthcare costs by 20 to 55 percent.*
- Preventable illnesses make up 70 percent of illness costs in the United States.**
- Reducing just one health risk increases a person's productivity on the job by 9 percent and reduces absenteeism by 2 percent.
- For every $1 the average company spends on its worksite wellness program, it receives an average net benefit of $3.40 to $7.88.
- At worksites with physical activity programs, employers have:
- Reduced short-term sick leave by 6 to 32 percent
- Increased productivity by 2 to 52 percent!
Most executives know that creating and encouraging this environment isn’t always easy and can’t be done alone. This is where the American Heart Association’s Start movement can help.
Our program and tools will jump-start your workplace’s wellness program and get your employees moving!
Getting Started
- Become a Start! Fit-Friendly Company.
- Implement a Start! Walking Program for your employees at work.
- Enroll your company into the Start! Heart Walk.
- Enroll your company in the MyStart! Tracker and have a worksite wellness challenge.
Still not sure what to do? Review our frequently asked questions or contact your local office. We have dedicated teams across the country ready to get your company started.
*Source: “Physical Activity Fundamental To Preventing Disease.” June 20, 2002. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
**Source: http://preventdisease.com/ work-site_wellness/worksite_wellness.html
