In an effort to draw attention to employer-sponsored health promotion and prevention of chronic diseases, the American Heart Association calls for employers across the country to health and physical activity initiatives such as walking during a set?? National Workplace Wellness Weekâ? (April 5-11, 2009). Â This year associationâ? S National Start! Walking Day, which induce the Americans to stand up, and for 30 minutes on 8 April is, will take place during the week to take advantage. Â ?? National Workplace Wellness Weekâ? serve to promote private and public employers throughout the country to the health of their employees through the creation of workplace health promotion programs and to invest their best practice with other employers’ shares. The week was initiated by the American Heart Association to raise awareness about the importance of wellness programs like Start! and the Nationa Address?? s rising health care costs, rising obesity, sedentary behavior and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Â It was the last year of U.S. House of Representatives Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) and Charles Boustany (R-LA) and founded the U.S. House of Representatives. Â ?? Workplace wellness programs are critical to improving the health of employees, increase productivity, reduce absenteeism and lower health care costs, â?? said Craig Thorne, MD, MPH, American Heart Association spokesperson. Â Â â? National Workplace Wellness Weekâ? is an ideal time for employers to invest in their people by joining free programs like Start! and participation in national Start! Walking Day. â?? Â More than one third of the population of working age in the United States is at risk for chronic diseases due to lack of exercise and nationalism? s obesity epidemic. The estimated cost of overweight and obesity-related health conditions is $ 117 billion per year. Â Only three chronic diseases, asthma, diabetes and hypertension, are associated with 164 million working days lost per year on costs to employers of 30 billion U.S. dollars. Â The Start! Initiative is working with employers and provide the 135 million Americans in the workplace, a culture of walking before, during or after work. It provides resources for employers to implement a walking program at work and length employeesâ?? Progress in the program. Â Start! Â?? S Fit – Friendly Companies program recognizes companies for meeting criteria for employee fitness. More than 1,000 U.S. companies have been recognized for demonstrating their commitment to promote exercise and healthy eating in the workplace. Â ?? Getting your employees can run fast for only 30 minutes a day lower chronic disease risk factors like high blood pressure, help â?? Said Dr. Thorne. Â â? Educating them about basic cardiovascular prevention and development of educational programs focusing on lifestyle behavior change is a big investment that will increase each CompanyA?? S bottom line. â ???? For more information, please visit www. american heart. org / workplacewellness or www. startmidlandssc. org . About the American Heart Association In 1924, WEA founded? Nationa again? live s oldest and largest voluntary health organization for the development of healthy, free of heart disease and stroke given. Â In order to prevent, treat and defeat these diseases? The Americas? S No. 1 and No. 3 killers â?? we will fund cutting-edge research, lead the public life and training programs that protect and advocate for public health. Â To learn more or to help us work together, all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit . org . Â ###