Phoenix hosts businesses that want to get healthy

PHOENIX — Representatives from 40 businesses and organizations attended the first of many work site training sessions at the Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Center on Wednesday to learn how to keep both themselves and their employees fit.

“It’s part of the FitPhx program where we are trying encourage healthier living,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. “When it comes to business, companies want employees to be healthy for productivity reasons. A healthier workforce is a happier workforce, so it’s good for our economy as well.”

FitPHX’s goal is to improve health and wellness in the region and make the Phoenix area one of the healthiest in the nation. The program encourages residents to lead healthier lifestyles, focusing on childhood and adult obesity, nutrition education, healthy worksites and encouraging the use of public transportation, bicycling and walking.

FitPhx has partnered with Healthy Arizona Worksites program, a public health initiative developed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Maricopa County Department of health to offer free training to interested employers. The collaboration makes it easy for businesses to implement their own comprehensive worksite wellness strategies

“The city is thrilled to have the opportunity to expand the reach of the FitPHX program by partnering with the state of Arizona, Maricopa County and the Arizona Small Business Association,” said Councilman Daniel Valenzuela, who, along with Stanton and Olympic gold medalist Misty Hyman, helped create FitPHX.

“Through this partnership, thousands of employees throughout the state will now have more tools for increasing wellness in the workplace.”

To learn more, visit asba.com/fitphx.