To receive a Gold Standard accreditation, an employer must establish programs to reduce cancer risk in five critical areas.
- Implementing policies and programs to reduce the risk of cancer by creating a tobacco free workplace and promoting a physical activities and nutrition.
- Ensuring that employees have an easily accessible way of receiving cancer screenings at no cost or a reasonable cost-sharing option.
- Providing health insurance benefits that allow individuals to participate in cancer clinical trials.
- Sustaining a workplace culture that recognizes the needs of cancer survivors.
- Promoting health education that provides employees with information on cancer research studies and clinical trials.
The Hospital has initiated several employee wellness and cancer prevention initiatives in recent months, including providing incentives for employees to receive recommended health screenings for breast and prostate cancer; and signing on to the “80% by 2018” campaign -- a commitment to ensure that 80% of adults age 50 and older are screened for colorectal cancer.
“A core part of our mission is not only to care for patients when they are sick, but to care for the entire community, including our valued and exceptional employees,” said Hospital President and CEO Susan Fox. “As such, we are deeply committed to providing the resources for our staff and their family members to take the best possible care of themselves and be active participants in their own health.”