Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont Promotes Workplace Health with Lunchtime Walks

For immediate release: April 22, 2013

Contact: Kathy Parry (802) 371-3205

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont Promotes Workplace Health with Lunchtime Walks

Berlin, VT -  In what’s fast becoming a spring tradition in Vermont, more than 24,000 residents across the state will take to the pavement on April 24 for National Walk @ Lunch Day.  Currently in its seventh year, National Walk @ Lunch Day is an annual health promotion celebrated by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and other associated Blue Cross Blue Shield organizations across the United States. Last year more than 30,000 residents laced up their walking shoes to take part in the walk.

Most Americans’ schedules are built around their workdays, so National Walk @ Lunch Day is designed to fit into–not compete with–the average daily routine.  Vermont employers and school leaders will host walks and BCBSVT will sponsor two community walks throughout the state at the following locations:

•    Burlington – City Hall on Church Street
•    Rutland – Rutland Regional Medical Center walking loop

Thanks in part to support from the Vermont Education Health Initiative—the health plan covering educators and school staff across the state—more than 100 schools around Vermont plan to host walks, as well. Employees at worksites across the state will also hold National Walk @ Lunch Day events at their locations.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates the cost to treat illness and chronic disease caused by inactive lifestyles is nearly $1,000 each year for every family in America. Simply getting 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as a brisk walk, at least five times a week, results in significant health benefits. These include lowering the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease, hypertension or type 2 diabetes and improving the health of muscles, bones and joints.

“National Walk @ Lunch Day creates an opportunity for millions of Americans to become better informed consumers and become more physically active which can have an impact on their health and well-being,” said Don C. George, President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont. 

“We encourage all Vermonters to participate in this year’s National Walk @ Lunch Day,” George said.

For more information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont’s walk National Walk @ Lunch Day, please visit http://www.bcbsvt.com/visitor/index.html.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state’s only Vermont-based health insurer and is the largest private health plan in Vermont.  The non-profit company employs more than 340 people and provides health care benefits for about 180,000 Vermonters.  The company offers benefits and services to virtually all Vermont populations through its array of products and through its partner companies, The Vermont Health Plan (TVHP) and Comprehensive Benefits Administrators. More information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is available on the Internet at www.bcbsvt.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent corporation operating under a license with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.