Allergan receives CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation

Jun 7 2010

Allergan, Inc. 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.

“CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation is further testament that Allergan's efforts to improve health begin with improving the health of their own employees.”

William C. Weldon, chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson & Johnson, chairs the CEO Roundtable on Cancer, a nonprofit organization of cancer-fighting CEOs who created the CEO Cancer Gold Standard^™, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, many of its designated cancer centers, and leading health non-profit organizations and professionals. Today, more than one million and a quarter employees and family members are benefiting from the vision and leadership of employers who have chosen to become Gold Standard accredited.

"The leadership and commitment of Allergan and their CEO, David Pyott is exemplary," said Weldon. "CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation is further testament that Allergan's efforts to improve health begin with improving the health of their own employees."

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.

"As a company dedicated to serving various diverse patient populations with high unmet needs, Allergan is honored to receive the CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation and commit to wellness programs that represent best practices for all employers to further improve the health and care of millions of people around the world," said Pyott.

Employers are uniquely positioned to lead the fight against cancer and make a real difference in the health and wellbeing of their employees and their family members. The cost of cancer in the workplace is extraordinarily high considering the direct medical costs, lost productivity, disability claims and the tremendous personal toll the disease takes on individuals, families and coworkers. Earlier this year the journal Health Affairs reported that employer medical costs fall by about $3.27 for every dollar spent on wellness programs and that absenteeism costs fall by about $2.73 for every dollar spent.

Today, more than one and a quarter million employees and family members are benefiting from the vision and leadership of employers who have chosen to become Gold Standard accredited. CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation is awarded to organizations that demonstrate an exceptional, comprehensive commitment to fighting cancer by focusing on risk reduction, early detection and quality care. While the focus of the Gold Standard is cancer, the benefits of encouraging healthy lifestyle choices extend to other serious and expensive chronic conditions and diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The Gold Standard sends an important message to employees: "We are investing in your health because we care about you."

SOURCE Allergan, Inc.