The American Heart Association (AHA) recognized West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) as a Gold Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company at its Annual Southwest Louisiana Heart Walk Kickoff luncheon on September 1. WCCH was recognized for its efforts at promoting physical activity and health in the workplace.

The association recently released a policy statement in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association that shows worksite wellness programs are proven to prevent the major modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These include smoking, overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Nationally, the association recognized more than 1,200 companies in 2010. More than 2 million employees participated in the programs.

Start! Fit-Friendly Companies reach Gold level status by implementing various activities and programs to encourage physical activity, nutrition and culture enhancements such as on-site walking routes, healthy food choices in cafeterias and vending machines, annual employee health risk assessments and online tracking tools.

"With the nation's rise in obesity and the escalating cost of health care, one of WCCH's priorities is the health and wellness of its employees,” said Bill Hankins, CEO of WCCH. "We are honored to be recognized by the AHA for our efforts to help our employees live healthier lives.”

In the Circulation policy paper, the association said that companies can save up to $15 for every $1 spent on health and wellness within 12 to18 months of implementing a worksite wellness program. Each employee who works to lower their risk status saves their company an estimated $53 per year; these savings remain each year that employee maintains the low-risk level.”

This designation demonstrates that companies promoting worksite wellness are achieving higher levels of productivity, reducing turnover, and some are even reducing healthcare costs,” said Janice Ackley, AHA SWLA Regional Director. Other companies in SWLA who have received and maintain the Fit-Friendly designation include CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital and L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort.

The American Heart Association also champions worksite wellness programs in its healthcare reform efforts, supporting an amendment that will be offered in a U.S. House Energy and Commerce bill to provide grants for qualified workplace wellness programs.