HELP KEEP YOUR EMPLOYEES HEALTHY

OKLAHOMA CITY – Productivity losses related to personal and family health problems cost U.S. employers more than $225 billion every year.

In an effort to minimize these health-related costs, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is seeking public and private businesses and organizations to participate in a no-cost employer-training program this spring to help build and maintain effective workplace wellness programs.

“Workplace health programs can help employees adopt healthier lifestyles and lower their risk of developing costly chronic diseases,” Work@health Master Trainer Karin Leimbach said. “Also, people often feel better at a workplace that cares about them – and they’re more likely to put time back into that place.”

Oklahoma has seen great success so far with the program. Since launching in the state, there is one master trainer and Ive certiied trainers who have trained 49 employers which has impacted more than 24,000 employees.

The Work@health program provides employer education, training and ongoing technical assistance to create sustainable, evidence-based wellness programs that can reduce health care costs and increase worker productivity.

To be eligible, employers must be headquartered in the U.S., provide health insurance and employ at least 20 individuals. A maximum of two participants per employer may attend the training, which will be completed over the course of Ive weeks.

Work@health uses webbased and in-person training to cover a number of workplace health principles including:

Why having a workplace wellness program makes good business sense.

How to assess the workplace health needs of organizations.

How to plan, implement, and create an environment that supports evidence-based workplace health programs, policies and practices that provide a great return on investment.

How to know if your workplace health and wellness program is working and how to continuously improve its quality.

How to develop and leverage partnerships, community links, and resources to support workplace health.

Employers interested in the Work@health program can contact Karin Leimbach at Karinl@health.ok.gov or call (405) 426-8294. For more information, visit cdc.gov/workathealth.