Blue Shield of California Receives Awards for Promoting Healthier Workplace

Honors from American Heart Association, California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness Recognize Blue Shield's Efforts to Boost Employee Health and Wellness

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California announced today that it has earned two prestigious awards for the company's efforts to promote a healthier workplace.

Blue Shield of California has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company by the American Heart Association's Start! movement for getting employees to eat better and move more. The company has also received the California Fit Business Award (Silver) from the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness for creating a workplace environment that supports healthy choices.

The American Heart Association recognizes platinum-level employers for offering employees physical activity and healthy eating options in the workplace; promoting a wellness culture; implementing at least nine criteria in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture; and demonstrating measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness. The California Task Force, which is dedicated to lowering obesity rates in the state's schools and workplaces, recognizes companies based on the breadth of their health and wellness programs; the quality and focus of their policies; the involvement of their leadership; the impact of their endeavors; and the reasons given for having wellness programs.

"Keeping our employees healthy and engaged is critical to us. The holistic design to our wellness program, Wellvolution, plays a central role in helping our employees get moving, eat well, stay tobacco-free and maintain positive emotional well-being," said Marianne Jackson, senior vice president for human resources at Blue Shield of California. "We are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association and the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness for our efforts to provide the best workplace environment possible."

About Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health plan dedicated to providing Californians with access to high quality care at a reasonable price. Founded in 1939, it now has 3.4 million members, 4,800 employees, one of the largest provider networks and more than 20 office locations, providing a wide range of commercial and government products throughout the state. The company has contributed $100 million over the past three years to the Blue Shield of California Foundation to fund nonprofit organizations that improve access to quality health care in California. Contact your local agent or broker for more information about Blue Shield products and services, or visit the Blue Shield web site at www.blueshieldca.com.

CONTACT: Johnny Wong, Senior Media Relations Consultant, Blue Shield of California, +1-415-229-6321, johnny.wong@blueshieldca.com