The ADA and Sun Life Financial have decided to collaborate on workplace health initiative.
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Jamie Barrand | Jan 16, 2016

ADA, Sun Life Financial team up on workplace health initiative

Americans spend a lot of time at their jobs, so it stands to reason that having a workplace-based health program would likely be an effective way to help employees develop and maintain healthy habits.

To that end, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), with the assistance of Canada-based financial services company Sun Life Financial, has developed the Wellness Lives Here initiative.

The program partners with local organizations to help community members and employees of local businesses learn about healthy habits. Participating companies are recognized when their programs are successful with a Health Champion Designation -- which to date has been awarded to 262 workplaces throughout the U.S.

"As Americans, we spend the majority of our days working primarily sedentary jobs, so it's more important than ever for our workplaces to encourage healthful habits," ADA CEO Kevin Hagan said. "Our hope with our Wellness Lives Here initiative is that employers across the country will earn a Health Champion Designation to not only control and prevent diabetes, but to inspire an all-around healthier office culture."

The Health Champion workplaces are a mix of all kinds of companies and organizations, from school districts to trucking companies. They have earned the recognition in a number of ways, including offering more healthy choices in vending machines, organized walks and in-house weight-loss and exercise competitions.

Sun Life's Health Champion Designation was the result of the company's offerings of wellness seminars and smoking cessation programs as well as employee fitness and health programs.

"We congratulate all of the Health Champions and thank them for being pioneers of this important effort to encourage health and wellness in the workplace," Dan Fishbein, president of Sun Life Financial U.S., said. "In our industry, we see the direct effects of diabetes and related health risks in employee populations. Programs like Wellness Lives Here can truly make a positive difference, and we are excited to team up with the American Diabetes Association to encourage other organizations across the country to take action in combating diabetes."

Other programs under the Wellness Lives here umbrella include National Get Fit Don't Sit Day and National Healthy Lunch Day. For more information about the program, visit www.wellnessliveshere.org.

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