American Water Recognized as an American Heart Association Fit-Friendly Worksite for Third Consecutive Year
June 10 2015 - 10:15AM
Business Wire
Worksites take steps to decrease healthcare
expenses, increase productivity
American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest publicly traded U.S.
water and wastewater utility company, announced today it has been
recognized for the third consecutive year as a Platinum-Level
Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association for helping
employees eat better and move more.
“We are honored and excited to be recognized among so many great
wellness programs in our nation by the American Heart Association
as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite,” said Peg
Fenner-Gulledge, Health & Wellness Manager at American Water.
“Earning this recognition for the third consecutive year is a
testament to our invested focus on physical activity and employee
wellness. We’re committed to helping our employees get healthy and
stay healthy, and will continue to encourage both safety and good
health at American Water.”
Platinum-level employers:
- Offer employees physical activity
options in the workplace.
- Increase healthy eating options at the
worksite.
- Promote a wellness culture in the
workplace.
- Implement at least nine criteria
outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical
activity, nutrition and culture.
- Demonstrate measurable outcomes related
to workplace wellness.
The Fit-Friendly Worksites program is a catalyst for positive
change in the American workforce by helping worksites make their
employees’ health and well-being a priority.
American Water has been recognized for its employee health and
wellness program, Healthy Solutions. The program includes access to
a dedicated website, on which employees and their families can
participate in a free, confidential health assessment, as well as
get tools and tips about health, fitness, stress management and
weight management. The program offers an annual biometric
screening, seven scheduled wellness challenges throughout the year,
and access to customized healthy living coaching programs including
personal health coaches, as well as financial incentives and other
rewards to employees for participation.
“Being involved in Healthy Solutions keeps my health at the
forefront of my mind and encourages me to keep up on the things
that will keep me healthy and aware of any risks I may be facing,”
said Linda Taflinger, an employee with Pennsylvania American
Water.
At the end of four years, 54 percent of employees are engaged in
the program. In addition, an increased number of family members are
participating and eligible to receive prizes.
American Water employees are also benefiting from Healthy
Solutions free, one-on-one personal health coaching as well as
online virtual nutrition-based health coaching. “I've lost 30
pounds so far working with my Healthy Solutions coach,” said Amber
Begley, an employee with American Water’s market-based business.
“My co-workers in the office have also joined the bandwagon and we
help keep each other on track with our goals. Healthy Solutions is
a great program that is designed to take an active role in managing
your health. I can't thank American Water enough for providing this
tool for healthy living!”
According to the American Heart Association, American employers
are losing an estimated $225.8 billion a year because of healthcare
expenses and health-related losses in productivity, and those
numbers are rising. Many American adults spend most of their waking
hours at sedentary jobs. Their lack of regular physical activity
raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity,
high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in
annual medical expenses due to obesity alone. The American Heart
Association is working to change corporate cultures by motivating
employees to start walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of
any physical activity.
For more information about the Fit-Friendly Worksites program
and how it’s helping to improve the health of Americans by focusing
on the workplace, visit www.heart.org/worksitewellness.
About the American Heart
Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to building healthier
lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Our mission
drives everything we do. To improve the lives of all Americans, we
provide public health education in a variety of ways. We team with
millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for
stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and
information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based
association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary
organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To
learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices
around the country, or visit heart.org.
About American Water
Founded in 1886, American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest and
most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and
wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J.,
the company employs 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide
regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other
related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and
Ontario, Canada. More information can be found at
www.amwater.com.
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American WaterDenise Venuti FreeExternal Communications
Manager856-309-4690denise.free@amwater.com
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