Active employees improve health and boost bottom line

April 4 2001 - Health Canada and the Canadian Council for Health and Active Living at Work (CCHALW) have launched a new web site: The Business Case for Active Living at Work (www.activelivingatwork.com) as part of a national strategy to reduce physical inactivity among Canadians by 10 per cent by 2003.

Research by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute indicates that the health and quality of life of as many as 63 per cent of Canadians is being threatened by physical inactivity. Activity levels have not improved since 1995.

"Physical inactivity is a serious health threat for too many Canadians. We spend too much time sitting in our cars commuting to and from work, and sitting at our desks," said Health Minister Allan Rock. "In the 2001 Speech from the Throne, my government announced it will strengthen its efforts to encourage physical activity among Canadians. This is one of our first steps to focus on employers, who have an important role to play in supporting workers' intentions to become more active. The Business Case for Active Living at Work will help employers become active about physical inactivity."

"We are calling on Canadian employers and workers to get together and develop policies and programs that support and encourage daily physical activity to, from and at the workplace," said Dr. Julia Alleyne, physician to Canada's team at the World Figure Skating Championships. "Human beings were not designed to sit all day. We want to help employees get out of their chairs and on their feet. Active workers are healthier workers and, ultimately, more productive workers."

"Our research, published in the November issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, concluded that illness due to physical inactivity is costing the Canadian health care system at least $2.1 billion annually in direct health care costs," said Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk of York University's Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. "Epidemiological data have established that physical inactivity increases the incidence of at least 17 unhealthy conditions, almost all of which are chronic diseases or considered risk factors for chronic diseases."

"This new Business Case web site is great for business. For the first time in Canada, companies can turn to one source to get quality information on workplace active living," said Mr. Peter Ferland, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Imperial Life Insurance. "Workplaces should start focussing on how to start their own policies and programs. It can make a real difference in the lives of their employees."

The Business Case for Active Living at Work web site:

- summarizes research showing how workplace active living can improve productivity, morale, and job satisfaction, and also reduce employee absenteeism and turnover
- provides "how to" sections, tips and case studies of active workplaces.

"With more than 15 million Canadians spending half their waking hours at work, it's critical that workplaces help address the problem of inactivity," said Dr. Art Quinney, spokesperson for CCHALW and Associate Vice-President (Academics) at the University of Alberta. "Studies show that physical activity is proven to reduce stress and anxiety. At the same time, more than half the workforce has little access to workplace health promotion. There is an antidote - it's called exercising our options, and getting active in the workplace."