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We Choose Healthy Worksites

We Choose Health is a community transformation grant that is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and overseen by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Its purpose is to make communities healthier and reduce chronic disease. Worksite Wellness is one of the statewide strategies to achieve this goal.

Designation

The new Illinois Healthy Worksite designation, sponsored by the Governor's Council on Health and Physical Fitness, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Department of Public Health, recognizes workplaces that make employee health a priority. The designation was created as part of the We Choose Health initiative.

The Healthy Worksite designation is a three-year award that includes three levels of recognition: Gold, Silver and Bronze. The designation focuses on five criteria that should be included in a quality worksite wellness effort. They include:

BRONZE RECOGNITION

  1. Actively promote and support healthy nutrition at work.
  2. Provide and encourage opportunities for physical activity at work.

SILVER RECOGNITION

Requires satisfaction of bronze criteria plus…

  1. Develop a 12-month Health and Wellness Calendar and an ongoing communication plan to promote employee health and well-being throughout the year.
  2. Demonstrate a commitment to employee health and well-being by making it part of the organization's mission statement, goals and operations.

GOLD RECOGNITION

Requires satisfaction of bronze and silver criteria plus…

  1. Develop lifestyle and disease management strategies and measure their success annually.

County health departments and community organizations throughout the state will assist employers with helpful strategies and resources to achieve the designation.

For further information contact:

Michael White
Phone: 312-320-6308
E-mail: michaelwhite@wellstreetpartners.com

Nerina Human
Phone: 630-730-1276
E-mail: nerina@humanconnection.biz

We Choose Health 365

We Choose Health 365 is an additional offering from Live Healthy America. The 365 wellness portal gives participants access to a variety of customized company competitions, self-directed health tools and trackers, education materials, and other helpful health resources; all designed to engage participants on "their terms."

Resources

Illinois Healthy Worksite Designation Brochure for County Health Department (PDF)
Recognizing Workplaces That Make Employee Health a Priority - An employer's guide to qualify for recognition

365 Wellness Portal flyer (PDF)

www.wechoosehealth365.com

Healthier Worksite Initiative - CDC