CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation for Independence Blue Cross

Sep 8 2009

Philadelphia-based Independence Blue Cross has received CEO Cancer Gold Standard^™ accreditation, recognizing the organization’s commitment to taking concrete actions to reduce the cancer risk of its employees and their families through screenings, early detection, and healthy changes in lifestyle and in the workplace.

The CEO Roundtable on Cancer is a nonprofit organization of cancer-fighting CEOs founded in 2001 to encourage corporate executives to champion workplace-based efforts to eliminate cancer as a public health threat. To distinguish companies that take steps to reduce cancer risks among their employees, the Roundtable created the CEO Cancer Gold Standard^™ in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and leading health professionals.

“Our Gold Standard certification acknowledges the dedication of Independence Blue Cross to cancer prevention, which begins with building the health of its employees and family members and extends to strengthening the wellbeing of its members and the broader community,” said William C. Weldon, chairperson and chief executive officer of Johnson & Johnson, who chairs the Roundtable.

The CEO Cancer Gold Standard^™ calls for companies to evaluate their health benefits and corporate culture and take extensive, concrete actions in five key areas of health and wellness to fight cancer in the workplace. To earn Gold Standard accreditation, a company must establish programs to reduce cancer risk by discouraging tobacco use; encouraging physical activity; promoting healthy diet, and nutrition; detecting cancer at its earliest stages; and providing access to quality care, including participation in clinical trials.

In addition to providing a tobacco-free workplace, a health-conscious menu in its cafeteria, and a fitness center at its headquarters, Independence offers an associate wellness program, I Feel Great!, which provides resources to support the health of associates. The company also actively promotes its Connections^sm Health Management Program that encourages associates to take an active role in their health and helps those who have everyday health concerns or serious chronic conditions. Additionally, Independence enhanced its employee health benefits to cover smoking cessation medication.

“It is important for our organization, as a leading health insurer in our region, to set a positive example for our customers and community,” said Independence’s President and CEO Joe Frick. “Our Gold Standard accreditation recognizes and reinforces our commitment to our associates’ wellness. This distinction is both professionally and personally meaningful to me. I urge other corporations to join us in embracing a corporate culture of wellness and to take steps toward Gold Standard certification.”

Other organizations that have earned Gold Standard ranking in the Philadelphia region include AstraZeneca, CIGNA, Fox Chase Cancer Center, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Virtua Health, and The Wistar Institute.

Nationwide, more than 40 companies have earned Gold Standard distinction, including the American Cancer Society, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Legacy Foundation, C-Change, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Duke Medicine, Edelman, Enzon Pharmaceuticals, GHI (an EmblemHealth company), Hogan & Hartson, Jenner & Block, The Lance Armstrong Foundation, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, Minot State University, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, The National Cancer Institute, Novartis, The Oncology Nursing Society, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, PhRMA, PPD, Quintiles Transnational, sanofi-aventis, SAS Institute, The University of North Dakota, US Oncology, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.