By Sue Shekut, Licensed Massage Therapist, ACSM Personal Trainer, Certified Wellness Coach, Owner, Working Well Massage
Chicago is famous for many things. Chicago is “the Windy City,” The Second City,” the home of the Cubs, the White Sox and da Bears. Chicago also has the dubious honor of being one of the top 20 most “fat” cities in the U.S. But there are those of us that want to change that last claim to fame for Chicago.
One group that is making serous headway in tackling high blood pressure, obesity and activity levels of Chicagoans is Building a Healther Chicago.
Building a Healthier Chicago
Building a Healthier Chicago (BHC) is a collaborative of local and national stakeholders working to strengthen efforts to promote the health of Chicago residents and employees.
Through collaboration BHC promotes and tracks the adoption of selected programs, practices, policies, and supportive environments throughout the worksites, schools, health care organizations, faith based organizations, parks and neighborhoods of Chicago. BHC works with community organizations, academics, health care and government to improve the health of all citizens.
To make a significant impact on the health of all Chicagoans, BHC works to support its stakeholders broadly in:
- Increasing physical activity levels
- Improving healthy eating
- Prevention, detection and control of high blood pressure
Why focus on physical activity, nutrition, and blood pressure?
Physical inactivity and obesity are at epidemic proportions in the U.S., resulting in an increased prevalence of many chronic diseases. Meanwhile, health care expenditures associated with physical inactivity and obesity continue to rise.
Becoming a Stakeholder in Building a Healthier Chicago
Working Well Massage is a stakeholder in Building a Healthier Chicago. If your firm is involved in promoting wellness or has a workplace wellness program you are proud of, consider joining BHC as a stakeholder!
Building a Healthier Workplace Resources
American Cancer Society Workplace Solutions
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Program Design: Creating a Worksite Wellness Program
- Toolkits
- Moving into Action for Employers: Promoting Heart-Healthy and Stroke-Free Communities (pdf)
Center for Value-Based Health Management
Health Enhancement Research Organization
Health Resources and Services Administration
- The Business Case for Breastfeeding. Steps to Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite: Employees’ Guide to Breastfeeding and Working
- The Business Case for Breastfeeding. Steps for Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite: For Business Managers
National Business Group on Health
- Communication Toolkit: Promoting Healthy Weight through Healthy Lifestyles
- Employer Case Studies
Evidence-Based Benefits: Toolkit for Employers
- Healthy Workforce 2010 (pdf)
- Investing in Health (pdf)
Start! For HR Professionals (American Heart Association)
WELCOA: Wellness Council of America
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