Every day for more than a year, residents of Bell County (pop: 28,750) in southeastern Kentucky have been taking steps – literally – to improve their health and wellness. They’ve strolled in two new fitness parks, vigorously exercised outdoors, taken walks together, used the community swimming pool more often and grown an organic garden. They’re participating in one company’s unique corporate social responsibility initiative – and they’re helping make a tangible difference.

Humana, a leading health and well-being company, along with partner Microclinic International, a public health and development nonprofit, is spearheading and funding this first-of-its-kind approach called Team Up 4 Health. The goal is to curb preventable chronic diseases through behavior changes that are encouraged and supported by friends and family. The program seeks to determine if, by working together, people (in this case, an entire county) can eat better, get more exercise and encourage each other to make healthier choices.

In its first year, 265 residents participated; and in this second year, nearly double that number are striving to reduce their body mass index, lose weight and keep it off, decrease symptoms of diabetes, and reduce their blood pressure. “I’ve learned that it’s about making small healthy choices every day,” says Team Up 4 Health participant Willene Black.

At the heart of it, Humana and our partners at Microclinic International and the Bell County Health Department believe that leveraging human relationships can unleash “contagious health” and make inroads against avoidable strokes, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Initial findings are encouraging.  Virtually all (97 percent) of first-year participants posted improvements in at least one of the four key health measures, and 90 percent improved in at least two areas.  As a group, they’ve shrunk their body mass index, lost an average of six-and-a-half pounds each, reduced symptoms of diabetes and lowered their blood pressure.

They’re making healthy behavior choices a part of their everyday life, such as buying whole wheat vs. white flour products. And 84 percent say they’ve improved their confidence in some manner. “I’ve seen hundreds of lives change in positive ways,” says Leigh Ann Baker, Program Manager at the Bell County Health Department, who implements Team Up 4 Health.

What’s most encouraging is the feedback from participants. “I’ve been able to take this to my family and friends, and when they see changes, they become more motivated as well,” says Ms. Black. “This program woke me up to a lot of stuff.”

“When I’m eating well, I feel healthier. And when I feel healthier, I feel better about myself,” says another.

The enthusiasm becomes infectious.  “We’re going to be the spark and we’re going to set the nation on fire,” asserts Jessica Mills.

Humana is paying close attention to the Team Up 4 Health program to better understand how social networks help spread healthy behaviors that can ultimately improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of disease. And while the positive power of peer influence is well-documented, Humana is looking to learn whether that influence can be harnessed to positively impact people’s health.

The pilot was inspired by Humana’s vision to help people achieve lifelong well-being and is part of the company’s broader commitment to corporate social responsibility. Whatever the conclusions of the pilot, Humana is committed to making positive impacts on society. “We understand the value of trying a new approach to preventing disease, not just treating it once it strikes,” explains Humana Chairman Mike McCallister.

Alan Player is a communications consultant at Humana Inc. and the Humana Lead of the Team Up 4 Health initiative.

Humana’s Team Up 4 Health video was a top 10 video finalist in the 5^th Annual Boston College Film Festival.

The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship has just released the 2013 Profile of the Professionals. This research looks at  salaries, job satisfaction, professional development and the motivations of people working in corporate citizenship roles. The findings show that the nature of corporate citizenship is rapidly developing and the role of professionals and their skill set is constantly evolving

Using an online survey conducted in late 2012, the Center compiled data on 603 professionals working in corporate citizenship at all levels of seniority inside predominantly U.S. firms.

Among the report’s key findings:

• Respondents report higher levels of education and experience than found in earlier surveys.
• At every level, professionals in corporate citizenship highlight the importance of building relationships.
• Professionals in corporate citizenship are highly satisfied in their jobs – and are motivated by the opportunity to make a difference in the world and to business success.
• Workload and a lack of resources are the greatest challenges for professionals across all job titles in corporate citizenship.

The findings from the Profile of the Professionals survey allow professionals working in corporate citizenship to compare their own experience and background to that of their peers. It provides insight into how professionals at all levels assess the skills they need to be effective in their roles and what they perceive as the greatest challenges they must overcome.

The Profile of the Professionals is just one example of the research conducted by the Center for Corporate Citizenship. To learn more about the content of this research visit:  bcccc.net/ProfileOfTheProfessionals.

Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) is one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services, a company comprised of locally managed facilities that includes about 162 hospitals and 112 freestanding surgery centers in 20 states and England and employing approximately 205,500 people.  Employees play a critical role in helping HCA deliver high-quality care to its patients around the globe. To help employees and their immediate families who are experiencing financial hardships, the HCA Hope Fund was established in 2005. The HCA Hope Fund is an employee-run, employee-supported public charity.  Joe Flynn, Director of Community Engagement & HCA Hope Fund, shared some insights with the Center on the HCA Hope Fund and its role within the company. Read the rest of this entry »

On the final day of the 2013 International Corporate Citizenship Conference speakers explored the roles that values and connections play in designing opportunity.

Rob DeMartini, President and Chief Executive Officer, of New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc. noted that the conference theme of Designing Opportunity is a great fit for New Balance where they design opportunity with their values. Read the rest of this entry »

In a red carpet moment at the 2013 International Corporate Citizenship Conference, UPS was announced as the winner of the 5^th Annual Corporate Citizenship Film Festival Award.

The winning video tells the story of the company’s partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America in the UPS Road Code program through which volunteer UPS drivers and employees teach teens about the dangers of distracted driving and give them tools to spread safe-driving advice. Read the rest of this entry »

Here is a sampling of some advice and observations heard during breakout sessions on the first full day of the 2013 International Corporate Citizenship Conference. Read the rest of this entry »

A theme emerged from the 2013 International Corporate Citizenship Conference general sessions of the many ways companies are making a difference in business, in communities and in society. Center for Corporate Citizenship Executive Director Katherine V. Smith opened the day by reminding attendees that it was Earth Day, a time when all sectors and people recognize how they can make a difference in the environmental sustainability of the planet and eco-system we all share. Read the rest of this entry »

Today we celebrate Earth Day, an annual day on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It also happens that our International Corporate Citizenship conference coincides with this special day. As we kickoff the second day of the conference we would like to let you know that we are doing our part to be environmentally conscious. Our commitment to environmental sustainability goes beyond supporting the efforts of business. We operate those same values in the decisions we have made for this event. Below are just a few of the steps we’ve taken for the 2013 International Corporate Citizenship Conference.

• The Boston Marriott Copley, site of the conference, has a number of environmental measures in place, including eco-friendly water service stations, energy-efficient light bulbs, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and environmentally friendly cleaning supplies and laundry operations.
• Our conference materials are also part of our commitment to environmental sustainability. The conference bag attendees received is made from 100 percent recyclable material and the conference guide is printed on 100 percent post-consumer waste paper that is FSC- and Green Seal-certified. The printer is also FSC-certified and uses vegetable-based ink.
• Thanks to our Carbon Offset sponsor, Microsoft, the International Corporate Citizenship Conference and all attendee travel will have its carbon footprint offset in support of an EPA Landfill Gas Energy Project in Dartmouth, Mass. This project helps to establish a long-term solid waste management program through the recycling of landfill gases (LFG) into energy sources.

This year more than 1 billion people will take part in Earth Day. Here at the International Corporate Citizenship Conference we have 650 attendees doing their part to make a difference and help protect our planet.