Phoenix, AZ - AHCCCS, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, recently received Platinum level recognition from the statewide Healthy Arizona Worksites Program for demonstrating data driven programming and improving health, well-being, and equity in the workplace. The Healthy Arizona Worksites Award recognizes employers that are making efforts to positively affect the health and well-being of their employees, their families and their community by implementing comprehensive worksite wellness strategies.
“As the largest health insurer in the state, the AHCCCS agency credo, “Our first care is your health care,” extends beyond the 1.9 million AHCCCS members we serve to include every agency employee. We emphasize whole person health as much for our employees as we do our members. The Platinum Award from Healthy Arizona Worksites underscores our commitment to employee health and wellness,” said Tom Betlach, AHCCCS director.
The AHCCCS Healthy Living Program for employees, now in its second year, encourages fitness and exercise, general nutrition, knowledge and education, and awareness of whole body health. Regularly scheduled on-site physical activities include chair yoga, mindful meditation, Fitness Fridays walking groups, weekend hikes, and dancing classes led by employee volunteers. Nutrition education sessions demonstrate how to make simple, healthy food at home. Most sessions are live-streamed. In year two, Healthy Living Program participation has increased by 23 percent.
Employee wellness efforts also use key strategies for stress management and work/life balance. Of the more than 1000 employees, approximately 30% work from “virtual offices” out of their homes, and another 28% telecommute one or more days per week. These telework benefits are consistently mentioned in the annual employee survey as a key reason job satisfaction.
“Emphasizing employee health and creating a healthy workplace is a triple-win strategy: supporting and encouraging employees to practice good physical and mental health increases job satisfaction and performance, improves retentions and recruitment, and elevates the agency’s overall program effectiveness,” said Roxanne Robles, assistant director of the Human Resources Division.
The Healthy Arizona Worksites Award, a public health initiative offered by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH), recognizes employers that are making efforts to positively affect the health and well-being of their employees, their families and their community by implementing comprehensive worksite wellness strategies.
