Guest blogger Stacey Burch highlights myHealth Rewards program offerings for employees at Palmetto Health, including a health management program, weight loss competitions, and cafeteria changes.

Eight representatives from the Virginia based hospital system toured Rex Healthcare's wellness facility and cafeteria.

Does the idea of changing your food and physical activity policies make your head spin?  Passing obesity prevention policies is not as hard as you think, but you want to make these changes thoughtfully. . . . 

Google has always led the nation with its innovative and creative ideas in business and technology, and now they are aiming to help make the workplace a healthier place with healthy eating initiatives.  WorkHealthy America recommends similar ideas and helps you create policies which will help sustain these initiatives. . . .

Guest blogger Kelly Price describes new programs at Baptist Easley Hospital that are designed to support good nutrition and physical activity among employees.

You’ve done tremendous work to change your policies, rework your food environment, add new benefits, but maybe you feel like your employees are not engaged in wellness. Sometimes the solution is simple. . . .

Guest blogger Lindsay Roper highlights how Laurens County Health Care System is working to maintain its Gold Star and Gold Apple awards, while continuing to reach to new goals.

 We know that offering employees the highest quality of preventive care leads to improved health. But how can you work effectively with your insurers to make sure you’re benefits package meets the real needs of your employees?

Every June, NC Prevention Partners celebrates another amazing year of prevention at our Annual Meeting, celebrating the organizations across the state who have put prevention first, whether they are schools, hospitals, state agencies or private businesses. This year we want to celebrate YOUR progress with our Trailblazer and Gold Awards for WorkHealthy America participants. 

Working Well, a collaboration between the SC Hospital Association and NC Prevention Partners, has recognized the hospitals affiliated with Georgetown Hospital System as the first in the nation to meet its Gold Medal standard.  The Gold Medal recognizes hospitals for establishing a culture of wellness where being active is the norm by providing access and opportunity for physical activity during the workday. 

Most North Carolina high school students satisfy their 1-hour Healthful Living and Physical Education requirement during ninth grade. Once this credit is earned, few students have the opportunity to focus on wellness during the school day. Jordan Matthews High School has addressed this issue by creating “JETS Time,” a daily enrichment period that includes opportunities for academic remediation, physical activity, and club interests.

You may be asking yourself what is the best thing we can do to improve our health, what would have the biggest return on investment? EXERCISE!  Little things can help every employee get up and be more active.

  What a year of training we have for you!

 Thank you to the more than fifty hospitals in NC who have opted to renew their license to WorkHealthy America^SM! Starting in July, 2012, WorkHealthy America^SM will also map the progress of all subscribers, including state and local governments, schools, non-profits and private businesses.  Are you ready for the map? 

23 1/2 hours talks about how 30 minutes of exercise will improve health and reduce risk of disease.

We have mapped hospital progress for five years, showing where hospitals are in their efforts to get A’s in Tobacco or Nutrition. We recently updated and automated those maps, and are now beginning the same initiative with all businesses in WorkHealthy America. In July, 2012, we will launch these NEW WorkHealthy maps, and recognize your success and progress. 

Hope Valley Elementary promotes community wellness with the Second Annual Family Marathon. Read more to find out details on the event and get inspired to organize a similar event at your school!

This fall, Be Active North Carolina, Inc. issued a great challenge to school staff across the state to get active. More than 300 staff from 19 elementary, middle and high schools took on the challenge. Read on for tips on how to run a successful wellness challenge and find out who won! 

On December 13th, NC Prevention Partners hosted a WorkHealthy America^SM webinar and learned all about the success stories in worksite wellness in NC schools.

 by Anne Thornhill

This is a time of year for looking back on the year past, celebrating our accomplishments, and planning for the year moving forward. And setting resolutions, of course 

 by Anne Thornhill

The holidays are a time when wellness takes a backseat to celebrations and decadence. 

 We are planning for 2012 and we need your input-- what types of web-based trainings do you want? Share your thoughts!

 WorkHealthy subscriber JPS is recognized as one of 2011 Best Accounting Firms to Work for. Think it has anything to do with their stellar wellness environment?

An upcoming webinar will examine how an educational campaign fits along with other efforts that hospitals are making to increase access and improve policies to motivate employees to be more physically active at work.  

 Most worksites have done something to give their employees access to physical activity, but employees need opportunity as well as access. 

 The assessment function of WorkHealthy America is the best way to get the most tailored and focused recommendations to help your organization promote the healthiest employees. 

On Wednesday, September 21st, NC Prevention Partners staff traveled to Broughton Hospital in Morganton, to meet with CEO Thomas Mahle, and several wellness staff members.

We want to know your ideas, worries, and experiences related to opening your school for community physical activity.  Have you ever opened your school before for community use? Did you have a good or bad experience?  Are you considering this option in the future?  We want to learn from you.