Mayo Clinic Named One of Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles by the National Business Group on Health

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The National Business Group on Health, a national non-profit organization, honored 33 U.S. employers for their innovative efforts to battle obesity and promote a healthy work environment for their employees. Mayo Clinic received a Gold Award for its health promotion program LiveWell.

"Mayo Clinic is honored to again receive this award," said Donald Hensrud, M.D., chair of the Mayo Clinic Health Promotion Committee. "This award recognizes Mayo's efforts to provide quality information and tools to help our employees lead healthier lives."

As an employer, Mayo is implementing resources to help combat the impact of weight gain, inactivity and poor eating habits. Mayo's health promotion program LiveWell helps employees achieve the best quality of life possible by promoting the extensive resources available to focus on health and wellness lifestyle choices. Resources include the Mayo Clinic e-Health Package featuring the Mayo Clinic Health Risk Assessment, and customized Mayo Clinic HealthQuest newsletter. Mayo's telephonic lifestyle coaching program features dedicated modules for nutrition, weight and fitness, offering one-on-one counseling for those individuals identified as at-risk by the Mayo Clinic Health Risk Assessment.

LiveWell also offers on-site resources such as the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center with its extensive lifestyle programs focusing on weight management and fitness, Lunch and Learns by Mayo experts, and programs such as Walking Wednesdays and fitness challenges throughout the year.

Winners of the "Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyle" awards were honored in one of three categories: Platinum, for established programs with measurable outcomes; Gold, for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who have made a commitment to long-term behavior changes; and Silver, for those employers who have launched significant programs or services to promote living a healthier lifestyle.

For organizations wishing to implement employee programs like Mayo's, Mayo Clinic Health Management Resources offers a suite of programs that include Mayo Clinic e-Health Package of online health tools and information, the Mayo Clinic Health Risk Assessment, Mayo Clinic HealthQuest newsletter, Mayo Clinic Guide to Self-Care book, Ask Mayo Clinic nurse line and Mayo Clinic Tobacco Quitline and telephonic lifestyle coaching.

Companies interested in more information about Mayo Clinic Health Management Resources may call 1-800-430-9699 (toll free).

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