State’s employee wellness program named finalist

By Richard Asinof
Contributing Writer
Twitter: @RichardAsinof

PROVIDENCE – The state’s Rewards for Wellness program has been named one of six finalists for an International Health Promotion Award, to be presented at a conference in Rome, Italy. The award honors programs around the globe that promote overall health and mitigation of disease in the workplace.

The program encourages employee health through activities that contribute to positive lifestyle changes. These include smoking cessation programs, health coaching programs, and physical activity challenges such as Shape Up Rhode Island and Weight Watchers.

“I am proud of our state employees who participate in the Rewards for Wellness program, which has deservedly become a finalist for this noteworthy award,” said Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee. “Employees who take the initiative in improving their personal health and quality of life will continue to produce beneficial dividends for our entire state.”

Other finalists for the award include Lesotho, Africa’s Alliance to Fight AIDS; Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport’s LiveWell Program; the United Kingdom’s People with Autistic Spectrum Condition Making a World of Difference; and Brazil’s Telecare to Remote Areas.