Bon Secours Charity Health System is proud to lead the way in the fight against heart disease – the number one killer of all Americans.  As presenting sponsor of the Orange and Rockland American Heart Association Start! Programs, we are making a difference in the communities we serve.  Our Health System has made a major commitment to this initiative that encourages companies and their employees to start living healthy. The program focuses on setting up walking routes for employees, offering heart-healthy choices in vending machines and cafeterias, and rewarding those adopting a more active lifestyle.

BSCHS has committed significant resources to the American Heart Association’s Orange/Rockland/Sullivan Division. These resources are used to fund the kits that introduce Start!, for free, to local businesses.  And our commitment to community health extends far beyond sponsorship dollars – BSCHS employees also participate in American Heart Association events and programs all year long.  For more information about how you or your company can participate in the Start! program or other events, contact Barbara Demundo at Barbara_Demundo@bshsi.org or call 845-368-5545.

DID YOU KNOW SEVENTY PERCENT OF AMERICANS ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH EXERCISE?

DID YOU KNOW YOU WILL GAIN ABOUT TWO HOURS OF LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR EACH HOUR OF REGULAR EXERCISE YOU DO?

It’s time to Start!  Start! helps companies encourage their employees to start living healthier, happier lives.  First, companies set up “walking routes” in the workplace and encourage employees to use them. Then they celebrate and reward those employees who go from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active one.  The company realizes the benefits over time—from healthier and more productive employees, to reduced healthcare costs.  The goal of the Start! Walking Program is long-term success, not short-term gains. 

Why is the Start! Walking Program important?:

Adult Americans spend a majority of their waking hours at work, and many are in sedentary careers.  This raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.  Obesity alone costs American businesses $12.7 billion per year in medical expenses and $225.8 billion in health-related productivity losses. A program such as Start! which increases employees’ physical activity will improve their health—and their employer’s bottom line.

Specifically, brisk walking for as little as 30 minutes a day will help employees:

• Improve self-image and energy level
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Increase enthusiasm and optimism
• Improve muscle tone and strength
• Increase circulation
• Lower blood cholesterol, triglyceride and blood pressure levels
• Reduce weight
• Lower bone loss

Heart disease is everyone’s No. 1 killer. Physical inactivity doubles the risk of heart disease. Since walking has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity, it’s the simplest positive change individuals can make to effectively improve their health. By starting to walk at work, individuals can start to decrease their risks.

What does the Start! Walking Program provide to participating companies?

• Coordinator’s guide, including a step-by-step manual to facilitate implementation
• Start! window decals to promote company participation
• Health message posters to educate and motivate employees
• Walking route icons to direct employees along a walking route
• Mileage tracking tools
• Other resources and materials to encourage participation and help track employee progress
• An easy-to-implement program provided to companies free of charge

What steps can companies take to encourage employees to participate in the program?

• Hold annual employee registration rallies.
• Set mileage goals that link two points, such as the distance between offices or cities.
• Host quarterly recognition events to distribute awards and share testimonials.
• Hold a “challenge” to energize participants.                                  

What can individuals expect from participation?

The biggest benefit for individuals is an improved health and lifestyle. You’ll also gain about two hours of life expectancy for each hour of regular exercise, even if you don’t start until middle age. In addition, participants can receive individual recognition from the American Heart Association Lifestyle Change Award Program.

To learn more about the Start! Walking Program visit www.americanheart.org/start.

Stewart WF, Ricci JA, Chee E, Morganstein D, Lost productive work time costs from health conditions in the United States; results from the American productivity audit. J Occup Environ Med. 2003;45(12):1234-1246.

American Heart Association, www.heart.org, 2006