Target seeks to hit health, wellness bull's-eye
MINNEAPOLIS Target Corp. on Monday announced two innovative partnerships and new wellness resources designed to support the company's increased focus on health and wellness.
“We firmly believe that healthy team members create a more successful business and vibrant communities,” stated Jodee Kozlak, Target's EVP human resources. “We want all team members and their families to focus on prevention — the key to access and affordability.”
Target has partnered with RedBrick Health to pilot a wellness program that includes advocates who are available to assist employees with anything related to health, including benefits and associated claims, identification of the appropriate medical care, health coaching and use of online tools to get and stay healthy.
Target is also providing cash incentives for eligible pilot program participants who complete biometric screenings, health assessment questionnaires, preventive care visits and, if necessary, recommended coaching programs that are intended to help employees reach their personal health goals. Target is one of the first employers to pilot such an innovative program with RedBrick Health, the retailer stated.
Target is also planning to pilot a comprehensive online tool, called MD Health Evolution, as part of a greater initiative in 2009 to further help employees get and stay healthy. The easy-to-use educational tool will be free for pilot members (plus one friend) and is designed to assist them in assessing their current health, learning how to improve their fitness and nutritional habits, and tracking their progress.
In addition, Target also announced May 18 that it is a founding member of the Alliance to Make US Healthiest, a new coalition that strives to help U.S. citizens become more physically and emotionally healthy.
“It is vital for corporations to take an active role in the shaping of health legislation on behalf of their employees,” stated Dr. James Baird, a member of the advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and CEO of the Alliance to Make US Healthiest. “Target has had a long and successful partnership with the CDC and was a founding member of the Alliance. Companies like Target, that make team member health a core business strategy, are more successful and contribute to a stronger and healthier nation.”
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