Create a Culture of Health at Your Workplace

Guest blog post submitted by the LiveWell Frederick Partnership

Even though Valentine’s Day has passed, we still need to think about our hearts. Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States? Fortunately, everyone can take steps to reduce their risk for heart disease. The bottom line is that employers can make low-cost changes at the workplace to encourage employees to make positive life-style choices that reduce their risk for heart disease.  

Consider these facts from the Centers for Disease Control: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are all risk factors for heart disease. Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices also put people at risk for heart disease, including being overweight, eating an unhealthy diet, and not getting enough physical activity.  

Since nutrition plays a key role in preventing heart disease, take a critical look at the snacks offered in your office vending machines. If you find that most of these options are high in salt, sugar, and fat, talk to your supplier about finding healthier snacks. Additionally, Frederick County is home to many local farms and an abundance of locally-grown fruits and veggies that can be offered to employees during the growing season. For employees working remotely, offer healthy snack ideas to create at home.  

We know Frederick County employers are generous. When donating to food banks, keep these healthy choices in mind to benefit everyone. 

To encourage daily physical activity, can your employees step away from their desks for a few minutes for walking breaks during the day? If that’s not possible, or if sitting at a desk is not how your company gets work done, employees can build a weekly activity plan using the free Move Your Way program. 

Finally, creating a culture of health at the workplace helps employers save money. Studies show that the average return for employers who invested in workplace wellness programs is $3.27. This means for every dollar spent on the program, the company saves $3.27 in healthcare-related costs. Employees and employers reap many benefits from worksite wellness programs. 

Whether you are a small, medium, or large employer, the LiveWell Frederick partnership has resources to support your efforts in creating a culture of health.