How would you like to step away from your desk for an hour and go for a quick jog around the block, or maybe sneak away to a company workout room? Sound impossible? The federal government says it’s not. The government is trying to make it easier for you to be able to stay healthy while at work. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the availability of $10 million to promote workplace health.
A company that applies for the money will enter into a competitive selection process and will have to have a detailed plan on how they will use the money to help employees be more healthy and active at work and hopefully carry those same habits home.
“Spiraling health care costs and declines in worker productivity due to poor health are eroding the bottom line of American businesses,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “This new initiative will help companies of all sizes implement strategies to improve employee health and contain health costs driven largely by chronic diseases.”
This is just one of several initiatives taken on by the Obama Administration to curb obesity and stimulate healthy attitudes.
“This is an exciting opportunity to help employers deliver effective workplace health programs on a national scale,” said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of HHS’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which oversees the initiative. “The promise of this strategy is a win-win: workers will be healthier and more productive, and companies will be more profitable.
Organizations interested in submitting proposals for the Comprehensive Health Programs to Address Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Tobacco Use in the Workplace can find more information at www.fbo.gov. The application deadline is August 8, 2011. A separate funding opportunity is available for a national evaluation of the initiative and can also be found at www.fbo.gov .
