A key to any successful business is lowering costs and increasing productivity. Many businesses have discovered that a critical strategy for achieving these goals is ensuring a healthy workforce. The city of Phoenix’s FitPHX program wants to make it easier for businesses to develop their own comprehensive worksite wellness strategies and is partnering with the Healthy Arizona Worksites Program to offer free training sessions.

The first training is 8:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Center, 302 N. First Ave., sixth floor. Participating businesses that complete the training and meet certain other criteria will be recognized as a Healthy Arizona Worksite and named the first FitPHX businesses.

Mayor Greg Stanton, Councilman Daniel T. Valenzuela and Olympic Gold Medalist Misty Hyman will address those attending and follow up with in-person business visits. The training teaches employers how to design a healthy worksite program, with relevant tools and resources.

Prevention pays at work. Studies show that costs rise as employee health risks increase:

Employers in the U.S. lose $153 billion annually due to absenteeism from workers who are overweight or obese and have other chronic health conditions.
Employers can see up to a $6 return on investment for every $1 spent on worksite wellness.
A one percent reduction in excess weight, elevated blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol has been shown to save $83 to $103 annually in medical costs per person.

The Healthy Arizona Worksites Program is a public health initiative developed through a partnership between the Arizona Department of Health Services, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, the Arizona Small Business Association and Viridian Health Management. The training curriculum is based on the curriculum offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Healthy Worksite Program.

Space is limited. To RSVP, visit http://asba.com/fitphx. For more information, contact Tracy Cruickshank at TracyCruickshank@mail.maricopa.gov or 602-526-0678.   back...