U.S. Chamber Joins Fight to Reduce Health Care Costs, Increase Productivity

New Book Offers Guide to Setting up Effective Workplace Health and Wellness Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Partnership for Prevention today released a new guidebook - Healthy Workforce 2010 and Beyond - to help employers plan, implement, and evaluate workplace health promotion programs that lower health costs and boost productivity.

"We are committed to improving the health status of American workers," said Randy Johnson, senior vice president of Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits for the U.S. Chamber. "We can foster employee health by increasing the number of employers that include worksite health promotion and wellness programs in their benefits strategies."

The book provides both private and public sector employers with information about the benefits of investing in worksite health promotion. It outlines current approaches and tactics that are supported by research findings or "promising practices" that are successful as part of wellness programs.

"Chronic diseases are significant drivers of health care costs, and a majority of American employees have at least one chronic condition," said Partnership President Robert. J. Gould, PhD. "By practicing health management in the workplace, employers not only help workers live healthier lives, but they also improve employers' bottom lines through reduced health costs and increased productivity."

Using a program focused on tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse, physical inactivity, and obesity, the book explains how small, medium, and large organizations can take positive steps to achieve health objectives as part of a comprehensive health promotion program. It also highlights the current health status of American workers, and shows how to design workplace health programs that attain workforce health objectives.

A copy of the sourcebook is available here: www.uschamber.com/assets/labor/2010hwforce.pdf

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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