The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and Adventist Health Lodi Memorial and Dameron Hospital have teamed up to improve the health of San Joaquin County by improving the health of its workforces. Adventist Health has made a three-year commitment to support the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good Movement, the first investment of its kind in San Joaquin County. With more people working from home than ever during the COVID-19 crisis, maintaining the health and wellness of employees and their families is a priority of the local Healthy for Good movement.
“We know companies and businesses are facing unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19, forcing many people to work from home. Being at home doesn’t mean sacrificing your health. We want to support workplace health and wellness whether it happens in an office, at home or someplace else,” said Daniel Wolcott, President of Adventist Health Lodi Memorial and supporter of the Healthy for Good movement. “Through Healthy for Good we can help companies and their employees stay healthy during the uncertain times we are facing so they can continue to contribute to their community and be there for their families.”
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States and about 2,150 Americans die each day from it. Stroke, the No. 5 killer in the U.S. and a leading cause of severe disability, claims the lives of nearly 219,000 each year. Healthy for Good is a revolutionary healthy living movement aimed at inspiring lasting change, one small step at a time. The movement follows a simple approach: Eat smart, add color, move more and be well. Together, the American Heart Association and Adventist Health Lodi Memorial will work to create collective, transformational change inspired by the Healthy for Good pillars that will engage local businesses, their employees and the community in year-round initiatives that will help improve their physical health and emotional wellbeing.
As part of the initiative, the American Heart Association will work to enroll local companies in the organization’s Workplace Health Achievement Index application and recognition program. The Index provides health and wellness scores plus free benchmarking data, enabling companies to compare their performance to peer organizations based on size and industry. The goal is to help businesses build a workplace culture of health that can lead to increased productivity, decreased absenteeism and opportunities to slow down the growing costs of healthcare in the workforce.
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, the AHA funds innovative research, advocates for the public’s health and shares lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with them on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800- AHA-USA1.
