Healthiest Maryland Businesses (HMB)

Submission Date: December 2014

Entry Type: Case Study

State/Territory Submitted on the Behalf of: Maryland

States/Territories Involved: Maryland

Domain Addressed:

Environmental Approaches

Public Health Issue:

With an increasing focus on employer participation in worker health, as well as compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), state agencies are among many employers that are considering worksite wellness programs as a way to improve employee health and wellbeing. As healthcare costs have continued to rise, employers are acutely interested in finding cost-effective strategies to encourage their employees to adopt healthier lifestyles. Employers’ financial stake in the matter is significant—approximately 70 percent of healthcare expenditures in the United States are associated with chronic diseases that are largely related to modifiable lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, poor diet, tobacco use, excess alcohol use, and obesity. There is strong evidence that well-designed worksite wellness programs are effective. By helping employees move toward healthier lifestyle choices and reduce risk factors, employers can make a significant impact on controlling or even reducing healthcare costs. Additionally, research has demonstrated that worksite wellness programs not only improve employees’ health, but also increase productivity and decrease employee absenteeism and attrition, among other benefits.

Project Objectives:

• Sustainability of a healthy workforce
• Use employers in efforts to control and reduce healthcare costs

Program Action:

Healthiest Maryland Businesses is a statewide movement to create a culture of wellness—an environment that makes the healthiest choice the easiest choice.  It is a “grasstops” social marketing campaign to engage leadership in promoting wellness within their sphere of influence.  HMB recruits businesses, refers them to accredited worksite wellness resources, and recognizes those committed to improving the health of their workforce.  HMB news and events are distributed via emails and DHMH newsletters.

Key Partners/Stakeholders: State Health Agencies (SHA), affiliated business entities, employees at affiliated business entities

Target Audience:  CEO’s and business leaders in Maryland

By signing on to this FREE initiative, an employer receives a variety of benefits:

• Access to personnel, HMB Coordinator and local health departments, to assist with the planning of wellness programs in an unbiased manner
• Individual technical assistance and guidance on successful, evidence-based wellness strategies via:
  • HMB training and technical assistance events (e.g. Health Reform/Healthy Business Forums)
  • Network of HMB Supporting Organizations (e.g.  Legal Resource Center, Maryland Hospitals for a Healthier Environment, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Maryland Recreation and Parks Association, etc.) that can assist with implementation of wellness programs.
  • HMB website, which provides a step-by-step guide to implementing a program, issue specific resources (e.g. how to establish a tobacco-free workplace policy), program templates, etc.
  • HMB worksite wellness emails, including information about upcoming funding opportunities, events, webinars, etc.
• Peer-to-peer support from events
• Promotion as a member of this initiative on the HMB website
• Access to the HMB logo for inclusion in health promotion materials

Data/Other Information Collected:

Performance measures related to State Public Health Actions to Prevent and Control Diabetes, Heart Disease and Associated Risk Factors and Promote School Health (1305) Grant – primarily in Domain 2.

Such measures include:

• Implement food service guidelines in priority settings, worksites included. Guidelines and standards address sodium.
• Increase physical activity access and outreach.

HMB reports on physical activity and nutrition standards (including sodium).

Impact/Accomplishments:

260 businesses participating, reaching over 250,000 Marylanders.

HMB held three regional forums beginning in January 2014 and topics have included: implementing a worksite wellness program, how HMB can help, creating and enforcing nutrition standards in the workplace, employee behavior change and engagement.

Development of model healthy meeting policies and healthy vending policies that have been implemented by at least 10 HMB’s throughout the state. By following these model policies, HMBs have been working with their vending contractors to offer more healthy snacks, or to make the healthy options more visible than the unhealthy options. Other businesses have increased the costs of the less healthy options and decreased the cost of the healthier options. Businesses have also created walking paths in and around the building, and use signage to encourage employees to take the stairs instead of the elevators.

HMB has made infographics available so that businesses can post stretching and fitness break signs throughout the building and in restrooms.

A few businesses have changed candy bowls to “no sin tins” so that instead of candy the bowl provides free fruit to anyone interested in taking.

Challenges/Lessons Learned:

HMB is in a period of significant growth (13 new businesses in April 2014 reaching 27,972 Marylanders and 11 new businesses in May 2014 reaching 3,243 Marylanders) and wants to be providing regular and individualized technical assistance to these businesses which is challenging as HMB grows so quickly. HMB is refining its processes to make sure no businesses falls through the cracks.

Next Steps:

• HMB continues to provide TA to businesses and recruit new businesses.
• HMB is creating a recognition program.
• In the 2nd 1/2 of the year HMB would be holding three trainings for employers interested in becoming certified in the CDC Work@Health curriculum.
• HMB staff/Regional Coordinators continue to attend certification and training program.

Program Areas:

Healthy Communities (general), Worksite Health

State Contact Information:

MD
dhmh.healthiestmaryland@maryland.gov

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