WELCOA bestows prestigious award

In ceremonies and celebrations at the State House today the State of Rhode Island received the designation as the first “Well State” in the nation. The award was presented to the Worksite Wellness Council of Rhode Island (WWCRI) and Governor Donald L. Carcieri. The Well State designation was bestowed by Stephen LaCagnin, Chairman of the Board of the Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA).

Rhode Island earned the first Well Workplace designation because 20 percent of the state’s workforce is employed by organizations that have received a prestigious Well Workplace award from WELCOA. There are 67 businesses and organizations in Rhode Island, representing 101,373 employees that have achieved WELCOA’s Well Workplace status.

Governor Carcieri, who along with First Lady Suzanne Carcieri, serves as honorary co-chair of the WWCRI, accepted the Well State award on behalf of Rhode Island’s citizens. “Businesses across the state are recognizing that health and wellness programs based in the workplace benefit everyone, including employers, their employees and their families,” Governor Carcieri said. “This important designation demonstrates that Rhode Island has a strong commitment to improving the health of its residents.”

The Governor noted that the Rhode Island State Government received a Well Workplace award of its own for its Get Fit, Rhode Island initiative. Launched in 2005, the initiative has brought a variety of health and wellness programs to state employees. Gail Davis, the President of the WWCRI, said, “Rhode Island business leaders recognize that good health is good business. It is so encouraging to see so many Rhode Island companies promoting and supporting worksite health promotion initiatives.”

More than 200 employees representing those organizations that have received Well Workplace awards kicked off the Well State celebration by walking from downtown to the State House grounds. LaCagnin, the WELCOA Chair, stated, “Corporate and government leaders across the nation are realizing that the time has come for wellness in the workplace. Rhode Island certainly has and you are leading the way. I congratulate you on this great accomplishment – the first Well State”

Companies which participate in worksite wellness activities report a number of benefits. In addition to improvements in the overall health of the workforce the programs provide a boost in morale and reductions in absenteeism. There are also positive financial outcomes. Some award winners estimate a return on investment for each dollar spent on worksite wellness activities to range from $2.42 to $9.85. One local company closely tracked health care cost and found that participants in worksite wellness programs had on average a $1,128 per person reduction in annual cost over non-participants.

The types of health programs companies conduct in the workplace include; Personal Health Assessments, weight management programs, various health screenings, smoking cessation programs, stress workshops, nutrition and cholesterol awareness programs, flue shot clinics, walking programs and more.

The WWCRI is a non-profit organization formed in 1997 to improve the health and safety of working Rhode Islanders by promoting and supporting worksite health promotion initiatives.

The Wellness Councils of America, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is a national non-profit membership organization that is dedicated to promoting healthier lifestyles for all Americans especially through health promotion initiatives at the worksite.

In addition to helping organizations build structurally sound wellness programs, WELCOA serves as a national clearinghouse and information center on worksite wellness. WELCOA responds to thousands of requests for information and materials by publishing a number of source books, a monthly newsletter read by approximately three million readers, an extensive line of brochures, as well as conducting numerous training seminars.

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