World’s Healthiest Workplaces Revealed at Awards Sponsored by Cigna in Shanghai

IBM, Telefonica do Brasil and Spokane Regional Health District on April 10 were named award winners in the Global Healthy Awards and Summit held in Shanghai.

According to a release, GE China was recognized as having the best workplace health program in China. These programs are examples of the vital role the workplace can play in improving health and wellness around the world. The search for the healthiest workplaces in the world was sponsored by Cigna and the Cigna Foundation and hosted by the Global Knowledge Exchange Network (GKEN) together with International Health Consulting and i-genius, whose common goal is to promote awareness of emerging better practices in health promotion and wellness in the workplace.

The company reported that employers from 33 countries vied for the distinction of being considered among the world's healthiest workplaces. Award submissions were reviewed by an international panel of health and wellness experts from five continents. The winning programs represent the best of the international business community's ability to successfully promote good health among their employees and the communities they serve.

Additionally, the Summit attracted employers of all sizes, health system leaders, universities, policy leaders, NGOs, and world- renowned award judges and speakers amid a two-day packed agenda on topics ranging from addressing public health promotion in China, to mental well-being and happiness at work, to creating healthy workplaces for NGO workers.

Here are the winning programs:

Multi-national Employers

IBM (USA) IBM has a long-standing tradition in creating healthy workplaces throughout the world and continues to drive an integrated approach to workplace health. IBM has established 10 global priorities for health promotion, which are applied to its many employees globally. For example, IBM uses social analytics technology to capture "Mini Pulse" feedback from employees as they interact with health programs.

Large Employers

Telefonica do Brasil (Brazil) Telefonica was a semi-finalist last year and reapplied with a stronger program. Telefonica has developed its own self-managed health insurance plan, with broad coverage all over Brazil. One of the outcomes of the comprehensive "BEM PERTO" program is that health insurance fees are only 7.8 percent of monthly payroll, whereas the average among other Brazilian enterprises is 15 percent of payroll.

Small and Mid-Sized Employers

Spokane Regional Health District (USA) Spokane is a local public health agency with 250 employees who serve a population of more than 400,000 in Spokane County, Washington. The Living Well Program has a 15-year history and enjoys strong leadership support and active involvement. Spokane has developed policies, system and environmental changes that have greatly enhanced the way employees embrace safe and healthy choices.

The Cigna Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from Cigna Corp. and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Foundation supports organizations sharing its commitment to enhancing the health of individuals and families, and the well- being of their communities, with a special focus on those communities where Cigna employees live and work.

Cigna Corp. is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security.

Global Knowledge Exchange Network on health care (GKEN) is chartered as a not for profit (501c-3) and is focused on advancing emerging better practices in health and health care among developing and developed nations around the globe.

i-genius is a world community of social entrepreneurs with members in over 200 countries. It promotes social entrepreneurship and provides training, events and business development support to its global community.

International Health Consulting (IHC) is an independent health promotion consultancy with locations in central Europe and the United States.

More information:

www.globalhealthyworkplace.com

newsroom.cigna.com/AboutCigna/AwardsandHonors/2014-global- healthy-workplace-awards-summit/.

www.cigna.com

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