1. Highest in death rates from heart disease
2. Second highest in rates of obesity and diabetes
3. Sixth highest in number of smokers
4. Highest in prescription drug use.

1. Physical inactivity results in the annual loss of about 20 days per worker.¹
2. Individuals who are overweight or obese incur up to $1,500 more in annual medical costs than individuals who are a healthy weight.²
3. Cigarette smokers are absent from work on average 6.5 days per year more than nonsmokers.³

Employees who move more, eat better, and avoid using tobacco products may have higher morale, higher productivity, reduced absenteeism, and lower turnover. Over time, a healthier workforce will reduce future increases in health insurance costs.

Worksites are the best places to reach the majority of Michigan's adult citizens to encourage them to eat better, move more, and avoid using tobacco products. To remain competitive, Michigan businesses may find it necessary to create worksite environments that are supportive of these goals. However, this can be difficult, especially for small businesses.

Fortunately, there are various low- or no-cost effective strategies available to Michigan employers that can assist them in promoting good health. As part of the Surgeon General's Michigan Steps Up campaign, Michigan businesses can become involved and support their employees' healthy lifestyle behaviors by:

Implementing policies and creating environments at work that support employee's efforts to move more, eat better, and avoid using tobacco products. Designing Healthy Environments at Work Assessment Tool - use this tool to help guide your development of a worksite environment that supports healthy lifestyles. Make a Commitment - help to create a healthier workforce by making at least one change over the next 12 months that supports employees moving more, eating better, or avoiding using tobacco products. Ready to make a change? You can start by making your commitment. Encouraging employees to adopt and practice good health habits through worksite wellness activities. Worksite Wellness Chronicles - highlights work that is being done in businesses across Michigan related to employee health promotion. Providing health care benefits that support prevention, while encouraging and establishing incentives to use such benefits. Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) - a scientific tool that provides individuals with a confidential report on their health risks. Individuals can print and take their report to discuss with their healthcare provider during their next office visit. Employers can request a group number that employees will use when completing the HRA. The group number will be used to generate worksite-specific aggregate reports. Establishing partnerships with community-based and local public health organizations, schools and hospitals to develop outreach and awareness activities and to build communities that support healthy lifestyles. Network with local organizations interested in Healthy Workplace Environments - contact us if you are interested in being linked with other worksites in your area that are interested in creating a healthier workforce.

¹ Michigan Fitness Foundation (2003). The economic cost of physical inactivity in michigan. Okemos, MI. Retrieved July 14, 2005, from The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports Website: http://www.michiganfitness.org/
Publications/documents/CostofInactivity.pdf
² Bologna, J., Hughes-Cromwick, P. & Roehrig, C. (2004). Healthcare costs and premiums: michigan compared with selected benchmark states. Retrieved July 14, 2005, from Michigan Economic Development Corporation Website:
http://medc.michigan.org/cm/attach/353CEBC8-18EA-4958-BAED-AF58DF8C33E9/MEDCFinalHCReport%203_31_04.pdf
³American Cancer Society (n.d.). The cost of smoking to business. Retrieved June 13, 2005, from American Cancer Society Website:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/nws/content/
nws_2_1x_the_Cost_of_smoking_to_business.asp