For the third year in a row, the City of Columbia has received the platinum level award in the American Heart Association’s Start! Fit–Friendly Companies program for promoting physical activity and health in the work place. The American Heart Association recognizes companies that show progressive leadership and highlight their concern for their staff.

Commenting on the award, Mayor Steve Benjamin said, “We are honored and excited to be recognized as a Platinum–Level Fit–Friendly Company by the American Heart Association’s Start! program. We’re committed to providing a safe, healthy, and active workplace for all of our employees."

Columbia received its first platinum designation and a community award, in part, due to the opening of the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center and two Citywide Wellness Challenges. The city later added a wellness program for city employees that includes incentives for participating in weight and fitness challenges while qualifying for a partial reimbursement toward gym membership costs.

Brown bag lunch seminars have been offered to include demonstrations of exercises that could be done in an office or break room and strength and stretching exercises for strong healthy backs along with free heart and stroke screenings in partnerships with local healthcare agencies. City employees also are eligible for payroll deductions for one year memberships to the Drew Wellness Center.

Start! is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to get Americans walking. Most adult Americans spend a majority of their waking hours at work—many in sedentary careers—which increases their risk for medical problems such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.