The City of Mesa was recognized recently by the Healthy Arizona Worksites Program as achieving the Gold level of excellence in worksite wellness.
The Healthy Arizona Worksite Award recognizes employers that are making efforts to positively affect the health and well-being of their employees, their families and their community by implementing comprehensive worksite wellness strategies. The minimum qualifications to be considered for this award include attending the Healthy Arizona Worksites Program training and developing a plan to improve employee health and safety. To qualify for the Silver and Gold levels of the award, employers need to support employee health through policy and systems changes.
The City of Mesa received this recognition by supporting employee health in the following ways:
oThe implementation of a comprehensive Employee Health & Wellness Center, that provides free health care services to employees and their families
oHealth education classes, including Stanford University's Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
oDiabetes Education and Tobacco Cessation Programs
oHealth fairs and onsite screenings
oHealth assessments and coaching
oHealth newsletters, materials and fitness membership discounts
"Since employees spend nearly half of their waking hours at work, the workplace represents an important setting for promoting healthy behaviors," City of Mesa Employee Health and Wellness Manager Nicole Bozich said. "Efficient, effective and sustainable worksite wellness initiatives have been shown to reduce healthcare costs. While results at each organization can vary, some employers have realized up to a $6 return for every $1 invested in wellness programs."
The Healthy Arizona Worksites Program is a public health initiative offered by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH). Its mission is to help employers learn how to successfully implement worksite wellness initiatives to improve the health of their employees and businesses. For more information, visit www.healthyazworksites.org.
Public Information and Communications
Contact: Kevin Christopher
Tel. 480-644-4699
kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov