Eastman earns award for focus on healthy culture
By T&D Staff Tuesday, June 12, 2007COLUMBIA – Eastman Chemical Co. was presented the 2007 Healthy SC Challenge award.
The award cited “Eastman’s effort to shift to a healthier culture” and to provide a “supportive environment” through implementation of “changes in the best interest of the health of their employees.”
The award was presented May 24 during an awards ceremony and reception on the mall at the Governor’s Mansion Complex.
The health care initiatives recognized included:
Other examples include:
n Healthier options in the cafeteria and vending machines
The award also recognized Eastman’s long-term emphasis on the importance of health care.
The company, in 1996, created a HEALTH and Wellness Center. The initial offering was HRAs, which were completed by 72 percent of employees.
Today there has been a 363 percent increase in the HRA and a 79 percent increase in Healthy Steps, the company’s health risk management program.
In 1997, additional programs were implemented and in 1998 Eastman opened a state-of-the-art fitness center.
By 2000, Eastman HEALTH & Wellness added additional programs including face-to-face health risk management coaching and injury prevention programs.
Today, the program consists of a standardized health risk management and wellness program.
The Healthy SC Challenge is an outcome-based, cooperative effort aimed at encouraging individuals, communities and organizations across the state to show shared responsibility in developing ways to improve the health of South Carolina’s citizens.
Community award winners were judged as delivering the best results among submissions for the award earlier this spring.
Health care has always been a concern locally.
According to the local assessment conducted in 2003, Orangeburg County ranks high in the state in diabetes and diseases related to high blood pressure. About 11.1 percent of county residents had diabetes above the 8.3 percent state average. Another 38.2 percent had high blood pressure above the 31.4 percent state average.
About 68 percent of the county’s residents are classified as overweight or obese.
South Carolina ranks 48th in nation in overall health and is 10th in per-capita public health spending.
The state ranks second in the nation in diabetes and for hypertension. Obesity in the state has risen 114 percent since 1990 and 16 percent in 2006 alone. An estimated 65 percent of the population is considered obese.
Other winners were:
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