(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.)— In recognition of its commitment to helping employees eat better and move more in the workplace and at home, PacificSource Health Plans has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a Fit-Friendly Worksite. PacificSource achieved the Platinum-Level status for its promotion of a company-wide culture of nutritious eating, physical activity and personal wellness.
“Research has proven that healthy employees are happier and more productive employees, and that’s why PacificSource has long been committed to incorporating wellness initiatives into the workplace,” said Alexa Shook, director of Health Promotion and Wellness for PacificSource Health Plans. “As a health insurance provider, we would be remiss if we did not practice what we promote to employers as a means toward healthier employees, lower turnover, and greater productivity.”
Platinum-level Fit-Friendly Worksite employers, as defined by the AHA, are those organizations that:
* Offer employees physical activity options
* Offer healthy eating options
* Promote a culture of wellness
* Implement at least nine criteria outlined by the AHA in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture
* Demonstrates measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness
Onsite fitness classes and exercise facilities, desksite workout videos, company-wide walking challenges, onsite employee gardens, monthly staff wellness seminars, healthy food offerings at staff meetings and in vending machines, as well as an employee-focused wellness committee and a dedicated employee wellness specialist on staff are just a few of the initiatives that PacificSource has implemented to promote the health of its employees. Additionally, PacificSource recently added 50 sit-stand workstations – bringing its total to nearly 150 – to counteract the negative impacts of excessive sitting.
“We know that standing every hour – even for a few minutes – can make a positive impact on our health,” said Sally Cummings, Employee Wellness Specialist at PacificSource. “We’re hearing positive feedback from employees who use the sit-stand desks that their daily comfort has improved and their energy levels are up.”
According to the AHA, 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.
About PacificSource Health Plans:
PacificSource Health Plans is an independent, not-for-profit community health plan serving the Northwest. Founded in 1933, PacificSource is based in Eugene with local offices throughout Oregon and in Idaho and Montana. The PacificSource family of companies employs 700 people, serves more than 275,000 individuals, and has 3,900 employer clients throughout the Northwest. PacificSource Community Health Plans, Inc. is a subsidiary of PacificSource Health Plans and markets Medicare Advantage products under the name PacificSource Medicare. PacificSource Community Solutions, Inc. is a subsidiary of PacificSource Health Plans and provides Medicaid coverage in Oregon through the Oregon Health Plan. For more information visit pacificsource.com.
