U.S. Chamber Foundation Launches Health Means Business Champions Network

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2016 /3BL Media/ — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in conjunction with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, today announced the launch of the Health Means Business Champions Network. This first-of-its-kind initiative provides businesses and community stakeholders the tools they need to take action and become leaders in a movement for a healthier America.

“America’s long-term competitiveness relies on better health for its citizens,” said Marc DeCourcey, senior vice president for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “Together with our Health Means Business Champions, we’re on a mission to foster business engagement in building community wellness. We hope that businesses of all sizes will get involved and take the Wellness Pledge to help lead America toward a healthier future.”

The Champions Network will provide various tools and practical resources that enable businesses, chambers of commerce, and community stakeholders to become health champions, including:

• Wellness Pledge: Health Champions can show their commitment to making their communities healthier by taking the Champions Network Wellness Pledge. The pledge is the first step in the Champions Network and gives businesses, chambers of commerce, individuals, and community stakeholders access to practical resources, peer-to-peer networking, and more.
• Peer-to-Peer Sharing: The Champions Network encourages collaboration between communities and Health Champions around the country. Upon joining the network, Health Champions will have the opportunity to join other businesses, chambers of commerce, and community stakeholders in private online groups to share best practices and access practical tools to help improve the health in their communities.
• Online Resource Center: More than a simple listing of resources, the Online Resource Center includes up-to-date information on the national Health Means Business campaign and details how businesses, chambers of commerce, and community partners can take action to invest and engage in corporate and community health. The Online Resource Center addresses what it takes to build a healthy community where both people and businesses thrive, showcasing best practices from our Champions Network with easy to use tips, tools, and a Health Means Business Champions Handbook to help every community build a culture of health.
• Learning Modules: In-depth learning modules will help walk businesses and chambers of commerce through different ways to engage in community health. Modules include instruction on how to host a Health Means Business forum, become a Health Champion, and start a wellness committee at a company or local chamber.
• Fast Tracks: Fast Tracks are quick and easy tips businesses and chambers of commerce can use right away. The first in the series focuses on ways businesses can create healthier workplaces.

“Business and community leaders across the country who are already building a culture of health know that these investments are good for business and good for communities,” said Marjorie Paloma, director and senior program officer for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “The Champions Network is an important tool for engaging American businesses and their community partners to take action and invest in corporate and community health.”

The Health Means Business Champions Network is a key element of the Health Means Business campaign, a two-year commitment by the U.S. Chamber Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – in cooperation with local, state, and regional chambers – to foster engagement in the wellness of American communities.

The Health Means Business Champions Network and its role as a leader in the growing wellness movement will be the centerpiece of a Health Means Business panel discussion during the U.S. Chamber’s annual America’s Small Business Summit, which will take place June 13-15, 2016 in Washington, D.C. The Health Means Business breakout panel will take place on Tuesday, June 14 from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. EDT.

For more information about the Champions Network, visit: https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/champions

For more than 40 years, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve health and health care. We are working with others to build a national Culture of Health, enabling everyone in America to live longer, healthier lives.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness. We educate the public on the conditions necessary for business and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.