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Health care cost are spiraling out of control and researchers estimate, “75% of all healthcare cost directly stem from preventable chronic health conditions, yet only 1% of the 1.9 trillion dollars spent on health care in the United States is devoted to protecting health and preventing illness and injury” (Campbell & Lanza, 2006). Rising health care costs not only have an impact on individuals, but on employers too.

The Healthy Workforce Act

Senators Harkin and Smith introduced the Healthy Workforce Act (S. 1753) to assist businesses in their health promotion efforts while providing incentives to offer onsite health promotion programs. The legislation is targeted primarily at smaller and mid-sized companies, who would otherwise have difficulty making the initial investment needed to support such programs. The Healthy Workforce Act provides a tax credit for 50% of the cost of a qualified employer health promotion program, up to $200/employee for the first 200 employees and $100/employee for remaining employees. The credit is conveyed through income tax credit with for profit employers and through payroll tax with tax exempt employers.

Why become a grassroots advocate/endorser?

There are many benefits to becoming a grassroots advocate/endorser. Becoming an advocate/endorser of this bill will allow you to grow your professional skills by learning about and engaging in political advocacy. In addition, helping health promotion advocates’ pass Senator Harkin’s Healthy Workforce Act (S.1754), you will be a part of the movement to put health promotion on the national agenda. If this bill passes, the health promotion industry will grow and strengthen significantly. For more information please contact Leah Tiller at ltiller@higginbotham.net or visit www.healthpromotionadvocates.org

You can now download the pre-application form for the 2009 Champions in Health Award.

The Award Ceremony will be held on November 5th, 2009. The location is still being determined but will be posted as soon as a decision is made. The Guest Speaker this year will be Todd Whitthorne, President and CEO of Cooper Concepts. We are thrilled to welcome Todd to the Champions in Health program and know that you will enjoy hearing what he has to say about the workplace’s role in risk management and health promotion.

Pre-Application Download

Welcome! We want the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to be a community recognized for its commitment and support of workforce health and wellness programs.  Champions in Health is a collaboration of government agencies, health organizations, academic institutions, businesses, and wellness professionals who come together to promote and recognize exemplary wellness programs while providing resources and networking opportunities for wellness enthusiasts.

The Wellness Exchange Series:

Opportunity for human resource and wellness professionals, along with upper-level management from small and large organizations to network, share best practices and learn more about the importance and practical applications of worksite wellness programs.

Hosted at least 4 times a year during lunch at either the City of Hurst or City of Euless.

Champions in Health Awards Ceremony:

After a detailed application and judging process 5 Metroplex companies are awarded recognition for their wellness program.  Judging is based on Leadership and Mangement Support, Wellness Program Outcomes and Evaluation Methods, Individual Activities and Future Program Plans. The Award Luncheon is held in late-October or early-November.