The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) today announced a Web-based tool designed to help employers assess their work environments and develop policies that support the health and wellness of employees. The Healthy Arizona Worksites tool helps employers learn about and implement worksite wellness initiatives related to healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco-free lifestyles.

The health department developed the web-based application in response to the sharp increase in the number of overweight and obese individuals in recent years.

"Our goal is to help Arizona employers foster a healthier and happier workforce," said Susan Gerard, state health director.

The Web-based tool is free and can be found at www.azhealthyworksites.com.

"People spend a great deal of their day at work, and so workplace environments can drastically impact employee health," says Trish Treanor, ADHS program manager for the Arizona Diabetes Program. "Worksite health promotion programs are an excellent way to assist employees in making health-related changes that ultimately affect the company’s bottom line."

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report on reducing employees’ health risks, implementing worksite health programs has been shown to yield a $3 to $6 return on investment for each dollar invested. This means not only a healthier worksite, but a more profitable workforce as well to Harold Gribow, the ASBA health and safety consultant.

"Healthy employees mean a healthy business, because employees are present and working," says Gribow. "This not only decreases healthcare costs, but also increases productivity and boosts employee morale.

"With this online assessment tool, the Arizona Department of Health Services provides employers with a convenient way to assess their environments and to find ways they can help their employees while improving their companies’ bottom lines," Gribow said.

For additional information on this Web-based tool, call the Arizona Department of Health Services at 1-888-542-1886.