Arkansas To Expand Pilot Program That Provides Incentives To Encourage Healthier Lifestyles

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 13 Nov 2007 - 10:00 PDT

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Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe (D) and state health officials on Thursday announced that a pilot program offering some state employees time off for making lifestyle changes that improve their health will be extended to all state employees, the AP/Long Island Newsday reports.

The Arkansas Healthy Lifestyle program was established in 2004 by Republican presidential candidate and former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R). Employees who participate in the voluntary program -- which focuses on increasing physical activity, increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables and decreasing or eliminating the use of tobacco products -- can earn up to three extra days off from work. According to health officials, the program will save the state money by reducing the number of days workers miss because of illness, as well as the health care costs related to unhealthy habits.

The pilot program was available to state Department of Health and Department of Human Services employees. Since its inception, 2,500 people have registered for the program and 947 have earned days off (DeMillo, AP/Long Island Newsday, 11/8).

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