Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 112 Promotes Health & Wellness to Help Cut Healthcare Costs

BINGHAMTON, NY - Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 112 is hosting a Health & Wellness Fair for its members and their families on Saturday, September 17, 2005, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Local Union 112 Hall, 11 Griswold Street, Binghamton. Members and their immediate family will be able to get screened for cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

This is a joint effort between the Local Union 112 and the Broome County Health Department Steps to a Healthier New York program to provide Union members with information and access to programs that focus on risk factors that lead to chronic disease; physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use. The goal is to have a healthier workforce, which will lead to decreased health care costs.

According to the Center for Prevention & Health Services, nearly 60% of companies' profits are spent on health benefits, with an estimated 25 to 30% of medical costs spent on employees with excess health risk. Experts believe that reducing employee risk levels could potentially reduce medical claims by one third. Over 90% of Americans are living with chronic illnesses; most of which could have been avoided through prevention services and programs.

For questions about the Broome County Health Department Steps to a Healthier New York or to find out how your group, organization, or workplace can participate in the programs it offers call Mary McFadden, Coordinator, Steps to a HealthierNY at 607.778.3929.

Steps to a HealthierNY is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of Steps to a HealthierUS, a national program focusing on the prevention of diabetes, obesity and asthma and addressing related risk factors--poor nutrition, physical inactivity and tobacco use and exposure. For more information about Steps to a HealthierNY in Broome County, please visit www.gobroomecounty.com or call 607.778.3929.

Steps to a HealthierUS Cooperative Agreement is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) program advancing the HealthierUS goal to help Americans live longer, better and healthier lives. Through funding of community-based interventions, this program aims to reduce the burden of diabetes, obesity and asthma, and address three related risk behaviors--poor nutrition, physical inactivity and tobacco use and exposure. For more information, please visit www.healthierus.gov/steps.

CONTACT:
Claudia Edwards, Public Health Director
Broome County Health Department: 607.778.2802
email: cewards@co.broome.ny.us

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