Federal government devotes $10 million to promote workplace health
The U.S. government has announced it will invest $10 million to establish programs promoting good health in the workplace.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on June 23 revealed that the initiative will be funded by the Affordable Care Act's Prevention and Public Health Fund. The $10 million will go toward improving workplace environments to ensure they promote healthy lifestyles.
Grants will be awarded to programs that have the capacity to work with groups of employers nationwide. The recipients will be expected to develop and expand wellness programs at small and large businesses.
Federal officials said the workplace programs should focus on key lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity, proper nutrition and smoking cessation. The funds are expected to support evidence-based initiatives such as filling vending machines with healthier snacks.
"Spiraling healthcare costs and declines in worker productivity due to poor health are eroding the bottom line of American businesses," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. "This new initiative will help companies of all sizes implement strategies to improve employee health and contain health costs driven largely by chronic diseases."
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