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    National Business Group on Health Recognizes 63 Large Employers As '2009 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles' Award Winners


    June 24, 2009

    For more information contact:
    Ed Emerman
    eemerman@eaglepr.com
    609-275-5162

    Largest-Ever Class of Award Winners Demonstrates Strong Employer Commitment to Workplace Health & Wellness Programs

    Washington, DC -- The National Business Group on Health (NBGH) is pleased to announce 63 large employers - representing the full spectrum of the US economy - have been recognized as "2009 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles" award winners for their exceptional commitment to a healthy workplace and for helping their employees and families make better choices about their own health and well-being, the non-profit group announced today. The award-winning large employers are recognized tonight at the National Business Group on Health's Joint Summit of the Institutes on Health Care Costs and Solutions & the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity in Arlington, Virginia.

    "We are proud to recognize 63 large employers for their unparalleled commitment to a healthy workplace and for making their employees' health and well-being a top priority," said Helen Darling, President, National Business Group on Health. "Employers know first-hand that a healthy workforce is essential to increasing productivity and to maintaining a competitive edge in the new global economy."

    LuAnn Heinen, Vice President, National Business Group on Health, added, "The 2009 class of award-winners is the largest ever, with companies demonstrating an unprecedented breadth and depth of programs to support employee health and wellness. More than ever, employers are making investments that should pay substantial dividends over the long term."

    Winners of the 5th Annual "Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles" awards were honored in one of three categories: Platinum, for established "Healthy Weight, Healthy Lifestyles" programs with measurable success and documented outcomes; Gold, for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who are committed to long-term behavior changes; and Silver, for employers who have launched programs or services to promote living a healthier lifestyle. Among the noteworthy accomplishments:

    - With 63 employers represented, the 2009 award-winning class is the largest ever; number of award-winners grows by 21 percent compared to 2008. As a testament to the increased value employers place on workplace health and wellness programs, the number of award-winning employers in 2009 (a total of 63) grew by 21 percent compared to 2008 when 52 employers were recognized. The 2009 tally is nearly triple the first-year number of employers, 22, who were recognized by NBGH in 2005.

    - Seven large employers are first-time "Platinum" award winners. Of the 17 large employers achieving Platinum-level recognition, seven are first-time award winners. Of these, two are first-time applicants. A recurring theme of this year's Platinum-award level winners is a corporate-wide culture of health and specific commitment to improving employees' well-being through healthy choices.


    2009 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles Winners

    PLATINUM
    Aetna®
    Baptist Health South Florida
    Campbell Soup Company
    CIGNA
    Dell Inc.
    FPL Group
    Hannaford Supermarkets
    IBM
    Medtronic
    Occidental Petroleum Corporation
    PepsiCo Inc.
    Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Quest Diagnostics
    Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Union Pacific
    University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, UPMC Health Plan
    Volvo Group Companies including Mack Trucks, Inc.

    GOLD
    American Specialty Health Incorporated
    AstraZeneca
    Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
    Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Chrysler Group LLC
    Cummins Inc.
    CVS Caremark
    General Dynamics Electric Boat
    General Mills
    Healthways
    Humana
    Intel Corporation
    JPMorgan Chase
    Mayo Clinic
    Paychex, Inc.
    Pfizer Inc.
    Raytheon Company
    Saint-Gobain Corporation
    Sprint
    The Boeing Company
    Unum
    Verizon
    Visant Corporation
    Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
    WellPoint, Inc.

    SILVER
    Accenture
    American Express
    ARAMARK
    Cardinal Health, Inc.
    H. J. Heinz Company
    Lowe's Companies, Inc.
    Meijer
    Michelin North America
    PRO Sports Club
    Qwest Communications
    Rockwell Collins
    sanofi-aventis U.S.
    Target
    Texas Health Resources
    The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
    The Home Depot
    Unilever
    Watson Wyatt Worldwide
    Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Xcel Energy


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