FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2013

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health announces the launch of the State Surgeon General’s Worksite Wellness Recognition Program. The program recognizes more than 400 organizations that have achieved a third party award or recognition for workplace wellness during the 2013 calendar year. These organizations will receive a letter and certificate from the Department to acknowledge and thank them for the steps they have taken to make Florida the healthiest state in the nation.

“The worksite is an important environment for health,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health, Dr. John Armstrong, MD, FACS. “Florida's businesses and diverse organizations play crucial roles in promoting healthy weight for their employees.

Full-time workers in the U.S. who are healthy greatly reduce their chance of developing chronic health problems. Building a healthy workforce allows Florida’s businesses to minimize the current rate of absenteeism caused by unhealthy employees. Today, health-related absenteeism causes an estimated loss of more than $153 billion in productivity annually.

Due to the unsustainable costs associated with unhealthy employees, many employers are recognizing their role in creating healthy work environments that make it easier for employees to make healthy choices. Maintaining a healthier workforce can lower direct costs such as insurance premiums and worker’s compensation claims. Healthier employees also decrease absenteeism and increase worker productivity.

Expanding the role of employers in promoting a healthy lifestyle is an important goal of the Department’s Healthiest Weight Florida initiative. Healthiest Weight Florida, launched in January of 2013, is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, and entire communities to help Florida's children and adults make informed choices about healthy eating and active living.

To learn more about the State Surgeon General’s Worksite Wellness Recognition Program, please visit www.HealthiestWeightFL.com.

DOH protects, promotes and improves the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.