SALT LAKE CITY – For the eighth straight year, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah has been recognized by the Utah Council for Worksite Health Promotion with a platinum-level award for providing employees with a healthy workplace.

The Utah Council for Worksite Health Promotion - Healthy Worksite Award Program recognizes the outstanding achievements of businesses in implementing employee health promotion and wellness programs. It acknowledges efforts to facilitate and encourage employee health, enhance productivity, and ensure healthy work environments.

“At Regence, we have seen first-hand the benefits of engaging our own employees in healthy habits and the big difference that small, simple changes can make to our health.  We have spent more than 11 years cultivating a company-wide culture of wellness, and are honored that the Utah Council for Worksite Health Promotion has consistently recognized and validated our efforts,” said Jennifer Danielson, president of Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah.

Criteria for earning the platinum-level award include having a program in place for five years, plus documenting six activities –including outcomes – in each of the following sections:

•           General Worksite

•           Environment

•           Nutrition

•           Physical Activity

•           Safety

•           Prevention

Utah Council for Worksite Health Promotion members make the award selection based on these criteria.  Regence has a workplace wellness program that fosters a culture of employee wellness at every stage of health and offers several wellness initiatives, including: a six-week “Charity Challenge” that combines exercise, team camaraderie, and giving back; the CORE/HARD CORE program, a six-week education and action oriented program designed to teach employees about the four core components of a healthy lifestyle; and “Recess for Grownups,” a daily program that promotes taking active and fun breaks during the workday.

About Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah is a leading health plan in Utah, with more than 330,000 members, offering health, life and dental insurance. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and is affiliated with Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon and Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington). Together, the companies serve more than two million members in the Northwest/Intermountain Region. The Regence affiliated companies are committed to improving the health of its members and communities, and to transforming the health care system. For more information, please visit www.regence.com or www.twitter.com/RegenceUtah.