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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT

Surge of Local Companies Fostering Healthier Workplaces in 2014

Wilmington's Gary Shell Cross-City Trail

It’s time to renew those resolutions to eat wisely and move more. Since 2007, five local companies have been helping their employees realize these goals—with help from the American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Workplace Program. These worksites receive resources and guidance from the Association to help create a culture of wellness. And 2014 is looking to be an especially healthy year—WHQR’s Katie O’Reilly reports that four additional local employers are jumping on the Fit-Friendly bandwagon.

Absenteeism and cardiovascular disease cost American companies billions of dollars each year. This is according to Ashley Miller, director of corporate relations for the Cape Fear American Heart Association. And it’s why she’s spent the past several years working with employers to custom-tailor company-wide health programs. Miller says these initiatives range from installing gyms, to upgrading snacks in vending machines, to creating simple parking lot walking programs. 

"I like to get companies together to come and speak at some of our events to tell other people what they are doing, because people are like, ‘Oh, I can do that!’ I mean, people think that to stay healthy it costs a lot of money, but it’s not necessarily so."

Companies of all sizes are welcome to apply. The newest Fit-Friendly employers will be announced in March, at the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk kickoff.

For more information about the Fit-Friendly Workplace Designation, click here.