Worksites are a great opportunity to have wellness efforts taking place to help grow a healthier Nebraska. Employers who build comprehensive wellness programs recognize the value add and the potential return on investment for their organization, but also for their employees. A comprehensive wellness strategy including healthy eating and physical activity initiatives help to reduce chronic disease rates, helps improve morale, reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and has the potential to impact the bottom line.

In partnership with the three worksite wellness councils: the Wellness Council of the Midlands (WELLCOM), WorkWell, and the Panhandle Worksite Wellness Council, the DHHS Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Program has worked for the past 10 years to implement the evidence-based model for employee wellness programming to ensure long term sustainability. This collaborative group works with businesses statewide that have identified healthy eating and physical activity as a key strategies supported by health risk data, environmental/policy assessments, and by employee request. The Worksite Councils and DHHS CDPC also work closely with local public health departments to implement comprehensive strategies and healthy eating and physical activity initiatives.