Feb 17, 2011 - ... of Human Resources for. Arkansas Blue Cross and team champion for the Challenge. (more) ... Blue &
newsrelease For more information, call: Ann Wright, Arkansas Department of Health, 501-661-2474 Joyce Williams, Arkansas Department of Human Services, 501-683-5286 Kristy Fleming, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, 501-378-5869
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Blue & You Fitness Challenge gives Fitness a POW! 75,100 nationwide could join 2011 competition
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Feb. 17, 2011) — Representatives from more than 200 companies and
groups throughout Arkansas and the nation gathered today to give Fitness a Pow! at the kickoff of the 2011 Blue & You Fitness Challenge held at the Statehouse Convention Center.
Groups and individuals pledging to get “super” fit was the theme of the kickoff as companies
and groups made their commitment to go from “ordinary to extraordinary” as they exercise 30, 60 or 92 checkpoints and advance virtually across America.
The exercise competition has grown from two entities in 2004 to more than 250 groups
with more than 75,000 potential employees/individuals competing in 2011. The Blue & You Fitness Challenge begins March 1 and runs through May 31 and is hosted by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Department of Human Services. The Challenge encourages employees to work toward the public health recommendation of 30 minutes of physical activity each day for adults, most days of the week.
“Exercise requires a little effort and commitment, but promises potentially “extraordinary”
results in fitness levels. Thousands of Americans are making a move toward better health by participating in the Challenge this year,” said Richard Cooper, vice president of Human Resources for Arkansas Blue Cross and team champion for the Challenge. (more)
Blue & You Fitness Challenge 2011 Kicks Off, Page 2
During the contest, participants engage in eligible cardiovascular-oriented exercises to work
their way through at least 30 virtual checkpoints across America during the three-month contest, although 92 checkpoints (the number of total days of the contest) are on the virtual map. Participants exercise through all state capitals, many national parks and some interesting places in between.
Blue & You Fitness Challenge participants register and log their exercise online at
BlueAndYouFitnessChallenge-ark.com. Participants are able to watch real-time data to see how their stats compare to others in the competition. The winning entity is determined by the greatest employee/group participation and the highest scores in four categories.
“For the eighth year, the Arkansas Department of Human Services is happy to participate in
this program that attracts more fitness-conscious people with every year it’s held. At DHS, our more than 7,500 employees take care of our citizens across the state every day. However, we want them to take time to take care of themselves, too, and that’s why the Blue & You Fitness Challenge is so important,” said John Selig, director of the Arkansas Department of Human Services. “It gives us a chance to promote healthy habits at work. Regular exercise is a good way to reduce stress, battle the sedentary nature that often comes from working at a desk each day and improve cardiovascular health. We are proud that this Arkansas-made program has put our state in the national spotlight for promoting worksite wellness.”
“We believe programs like the Blue & You Fitness Challenge are a fun, motivational way to
help people begin to change their lifestyles and improve their overall health,” said Paul Halverson, PhDr,director of the Arkansas Department of Health and state health officer. “Current research tells us that getting more physical activity means lower health care costs for individuals and families. A recent study by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement shows that health care costs are 75 percent higher for those who are obese and physically inactive compared to those who are at a healthy weight and are physically active. In today’s economy, this can mean a real difference in the quality of life for an Arkansas family. Less money spent on health care means more money for dad, mom and the kids to do the things we all enjoy. It makes good sense to exercise — better health, and more change in our pockets.”
The Employee Fitness Contest Kit, a free guide to organizing an employee exercise
competition, is available in notebook and/or CD format by calling toll free, 1-800-686-2609, or by stopping by the nearest Arkansas Blue Cross regional office. The kit also may be downloaded in PDF format at the following Web sites: •
ArkansasBlueCross.com (select the “Employers” tab, then the kit logo)
•
HealthAdvantage-hmo.com (select the “Employers” tab, then the kit logo) (more)
Blue & You Fitness Challenge 2011 Kicks Off, Page 3 •
BlueAdvantageArkansas.com (click on “Employers” tab, then the kit logo)
Founded in 1948, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, an Independent Licensee of the Blue
Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest health insurer in Arkansas. Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates have more than 2,700 employees. If combined, the 39 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans collectively provide health care coverage for 93 million — nearly one in three — Americans.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is a centralized health department, operating
local health units in each of the state’s 75 counties. County governments provide facilities and support for the clinical, environmental and home health services offered by the agency. The mission of the Department is to promote public health policies and practices that assure a healthy quality of life for Arkansans. ADH works to protect, improve and promote the health of all Arkansans with the support of more than 5,000 dedicated employees and public and private partners. During each year, Department employees monitor and investigate public health diseases and threats, provide preventive and personal health services in clinical and in-home settings, provide education and enforce laws and regulations, support Hometown Health Improvement, promote healthy behaviors, respond to public health emergencies and educate and monitor industries that impact the public’s health.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services provides a wide range of social services to more
than a million Arkansas citizens each year through its programs and private providers. DHS is the largest department of the executive branch of state government. It has more than 7,000 employees and consists of 10 divisions and four support offices. DHS maintains offices in each of the state’s 75 counties where a person can apply for all the services DHS offers. Services are provided to people from all walks of life and all ages. Major programs, which fall under the Arkansas Department of Human Services, include the federal Food Stamp program and the Medicaid program, which accounts for the largest part of the department’s $4 billion annual budget. — 30 —
2011 Confirmed Participating Groups/Companies Group Name Administrative Office of The Courts AETN AFMC AGFC Alliance Insurance Grp Alliance Rubber Company Allied Therapy Alma 7th grade chearleaders Alma Intermediate School Alma Middle School Students Alpha Class Amfuel Annie Camp Junior High School Aon Risk Services Southwest, Inc. AR Department of Human Services AR Regional Organ Recovery Agency Architectural Concepts Area Health Education Center - FS ARGCO Ark. Dept. of Information Systems Arkansas Best Federal Credit Union Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Arkansas Building Authority Arkansas Cardiology Arkansas Children’s Hospital Arkansas County Partners In Health Arkansas Department of Health Arkansas Dept. of Parks And Tourism Arkansas Diamonds Arkansas Education Association Arkansas Methodist Medical Center Arkansas Pediatric Clinic Arkansas Public Service Commission Arkansas Real Estate Commission Arkansas Securities Department Arkansas State Plant Board Arkansas State University Arkansas State University - Beebe
City Little Rock Conway Little Rock Little Rock Arkadelphia Hot Springs Ward Alma Alma Alma Texarkana Magnolia Jonesboro Little Rock Perryville Little Rock Jonesboro Fort Smith Fort smith Little Rock Fort Smith Little Rock Little Rock Little Rock Little Rock Stuttgart Little Rock Little Rock Hot Springs Village Little Rock Paragould Little Rock Little Rock Little Rock Little Rock Little Rock Jonesboro Beebe
State AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR TX AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR
Arkansas State University-Newport Arkansas Supreme Court Arkansas Tech University ArkBoard of Public Accountancy Ark-La-Tex Health Network Arquest ASU - Mountain Home Atlanta ISD Ayrshire Electronics LLC B & F Engineering BancorpSouth Insurance Services Bank of Salem Baptist Health Baxter Regional Medical Center Bayou Meto Elementary School Beall Barclay Bekaert Steel (Gaucho Dept) Ben E. Keith Bost, Inc. Boys & Girls Club of Alma Bradley County Medical Center Brown & Brown Insurance of Arkansas Buffalo National River Cabot Middle School North Carl Albert Wonders Central Arkansas Water Central Jr. High School Cheer X-Treme Chi Eta Omega - Alpha Kappa Alpha Christ the King School CHRISTUS Health Citizens Bank City of Jonesboro City of Mountain Home City of North Little Rock City of Springdale City of Texarkana, AR City of Texarkana, Texas City Water and Light CityYouth Ministries Inc. CLARK COUNTY Clarksville Medical Group Cleveland County Oil Company Inc CMI Coldstream Fisheries Collom & Carney Clinic Association Colson Caster Corporation COMMERCIAL NATIONAL BANK Construction Network CRITTENDEN COUNTY
Newport Little Rock Russellville Little Rock Texarkana Camden Mountain Home Atlanta Fayetteville Hot Springs Jonesboro Salem Little Rock Mountain Home Jacksonville Fort Smith Van Buren North Little Rock Fort Smith Alma Warren Springdale Harrison Cabot Mid West City Little Rock Springdale Fort Smith Little Rock Little Rock Texarkana Batesville Jonesboro Mountain Home North Little Rock Springdale Texarkana Texarkana Jonesboro Jonesboro Arkadelphia Clarksville Rison Little Rock Paragould Texarkana Jonesboro Texarkana Jonesboro Marion
AR AR AR AR TX AR AR TX AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR OK AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR TX AR AR AR AR AR AR AR TX AR AR AR AR
Daines Insurance Dallas County Medical Center Dan’s Health Club (Hytrol Con.) Datacom Solutions Delta AHEC Helena- Diamond Bank Diamond Bank - Nashville Diamond State Insurance - Nashville Dillard’s FS Fitness Grp. Dorel Team Home Furnishings EagleOne East End School District Elkins Public Library Eureka Springs Public Schools Evergreen Packaging Express Personnel Services Family Family Medicine Clinic PA Farmers and Merchants Bank Fatcity Steak and Grill House Fikes First Baptist Church First National Bank- Hot Springs First National Bank of Wynne First Step Schools, Inc Fort Smith Radiation Oncology Fort Smith Rotary Club Ft.Lake Garland County Employees Garland County Project H.O.P.E. Grant Cnty Hometown Health Coalition Green Forest School Hamrick Community Group Harrisburg Middle Hornet X-treme Hartford School District Hays Hays Store, Inc. Henderson Fitness Reddies Henderson L.O.V.E. After-school Highland High School Hilltop Travel Center Howard Perrin Elementary Independence Blue Cross Independent Living, Inc. Individual Registrant Information Jefferson County Jefferson Regional Medical Center Jeff’s Crew JK North America, Inc. Jonesboro Fire Department
Texarkana Fordyce Jonesboro Hardy West Helena Hot Springs Nashville Nashville Ft. Smith Bentonville Fort Smith Bigelow Elkins Eureka Springs Pine Bluff Texarkana Wake Village Hot Springs Stuttgart Jonesboro Hope Prairie Grove Hot Springs Wynne Hot Springs Fort Smith Fort Smith Hot Springs Hot Springs Hot Springs Sheridan Green Forest Fayetteville Harrisburg Hartford Wynne Blytheville Arkadelphia Little Rock Hardy Alma Benton Philadelphia Harrison
TX AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR TX AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR PA AR
Pine Bluff Pine Bluff Alexander Jonesboro Jonesboro
AR AR AR AR AR
Jonesboro Regional Chamber K & K Veterinary Supply, Inc. Kerusso Kimberly Clark Corporation Kimmons Junior High PE4life Kimmons Junior High Staff Knights of Columbus #996 LaCroix Optical Co. Lamar Elementary School Lamar High School Lamar Middle School Lamar Nutrition and Wellness 1 Lamar Parental Involvement Team Liberty Bank of Arkansas LifeNet, Inc. Little Rock Central High School Little Rock School District Mainstream Technologies, Inc. Margaret Daniel Primary School Medic One Merchants & Planters Bank Methodist Nursing Home Millieplunkett MIS Pups Mitchell Williams Law Firm Mountain Valley Spring Mountainburg Schools MSI West Little Rock Munchys Murphy Oil Corporation Natural Resources Consv. Serv. NEA Baptist Clinic Wellness Center North Little Rock School District Northrop Grumman CEO Northside High School NorthWest AR Community College Nucor Yamato Steel Opportunities, Inc. Optus, Inc. Owl Creek School Pace Industries, Inc. Paris Eagles PGTELCO Physicians Day Surgery Pine Bluff Jefferson County EOC Poinsett Rice and Grain PRADCO Prince William Cty Park Authority Red River Credit Union Regions Bank - Jonesboro
Jonesboro Tontitown Berryville Conway Fort Smith Fort Smith Fort Smith Batesville Lamar Lamar Lamar Lamar Lamar Siloam Springs Texarkana Little Rock Little Rock Little Rock Ashdown Jonesboro Newport Fort Smith Rison Morrilton Little Rock Hot Springs Village Mountainburg Little Rock Jonesboro El Dorado Little Rock Jonesboro North Little Rock Saint Charles Fort Smtih Bentonville Blytheville Texarkana Jonesboro Fayetteville Fayetteville Paris Prairie Grove Fort Smith Pine Bluff Jonesboro Fort Smith Prince William Texarkana Jonesboro
AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR TX AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR MO AR AR AR TX AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR VA TX AR
RFMMS Wellness Center Roach Conveyors ROARK GROUP Saline Cnty Hometown Health Coalition Sevier County SFLIC Shiloh Christian School Simmons First National Corporation Sistercisers Smith’s Ready Mix, Inc. Southsude Fbla Southwest Power Pool Springdale Westwood Wolves St Bernards Medical Center Sugarfree/Flourfree Summit Bank TASD - ABC Program TASD - Administration TASD - AHS TASD - Athletics TASD - CHMS TASD - College Hill TASD - Fairview TASD - Kilpatrick TASD - Maintenance TASD - NHJH TASD - TAVC TASD - Trice TASD - Union TASD - Washington TASD - WTD Team Exhausted Teleflora AR Texarkana Embroidery and Graphics Texarkana ISD The Bank of Fayetteville The Boomer Sooner’s The Defender’s The First Tee of Fort Smith THE TEN WONDERS TOPS AR 570 Total Medical Supply Trane Arkansas Transplace Transportation Security Admin. Trinity Warriors TRUMAN ARNOLD COMPANIES UA Fort Smith UAMS AHEC Northeast UAMS AHEC Northwest
Pine Bluff Trumann Rogers Benton De Queen Hot Springs Springdale Pine Bluff White Hall Nashville Fort Smith Little Rock Springdale Jonesboro Jonesboro Arkadelphia Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Texarkana Oklahoma City Paragould Texarkana Texarkana Fayetteville Fort Smith Little Rock Fort Smith Clinton El Dorado Texarkana Little Rock Lowell Little Rock Texarkana Texarkana Fort Smith Jonesboro Fayetteville
AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR OK AR TX TX AR AR AR AR AR AR TX AR AR AR AR TX AR AR AR
UAMS AHEC Pine Bluff UAMS AHEC Southwest UAMS-AHEC-North Central University of the Ozarks URS @ PBCDF USA Truck USAble Life Valley View School District Vista Health Services - Fort Smith W D Barry W.P. Malone, Inc. Walnut Hill Walnut Valley Warrior Academy Warriors Watson Chapel Jr. High FBLA Weekend Warriors Western Ark Counseling & Guidance Wingate/Gartman Group Wynne Public Schools
--30--
Pine Bluff Texarkana Batesville Clarksville White Hall Van Buren Little Rock Jonesboro Barling Texarkana Arkadelphia Lewisville Hot Springs Little Rock Pine Bluff Fayetteville Fort Smith Harrison Wynne
AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR TX AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR AR
