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Wellness Overview June 2008   Throughout the United States, in schools, workplaces and communities, policymakers, employers and government officials are looking at policies, programs and incentives to help make Americans healthier. As health care costs continue to rise, more states are encouraging citizens to become and stay well in order to prevent and mitigate chronic disease. This page provides an overview of NCSL resources on wellness.       NCSL Resources: State Wellness Legislation - Sample state legislation from 2006 through 2008. Features: school wellness policies, legislation with insurance and fiscal incentives, appropriation bills and other wellness initiatives. On The Road to Wellness - Overview of states encouraging wellness programs and initiatives (State Legislatures Magazine, Feb 2007). Nutrition Rules - Making healthy food choices available to school kids is a priority for many lawmakers (State Legislatures Magazine, May 2008). P.E. Makes a Comeback - Lawmakers looking at physical education to improve kids' health and academic achievement (State Legislatures Magazine, Dec 2007). Summary of the Final Rule for Nondiscrimination and Wellness Programs in Health Coverage in the Group Market - The Department of Health and Human Services generate final rules to provide guidance for the implementation of wellness programs. Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Food Systems to Support Healthy Communities - Overview of NCSL Resources to Address Obesity. State Wellness Initiatives (Legisbrief, June/July 2007). School Wellness Policies (Legisbrief, Nov/Dec 2006). 2007 Comprehensive Health Care Reforms - Chart identifying the states pursuing wellness initiatives, as part of health reforms. 2007-2008 Health Reform Bills - A comprehensive list of all state health reform initiatives for 2007-2008. "Wellness, Healthy Eating and Active Living" [PowerPoint download  / slides] (Amy Winterfeld presentation to Michigan Legislature, May 2007). "Promoting Wellness and the Return on Investment" NCSL session at Spring Forum, April 25, 2008.  Funded in part by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.  Speakers:  Ron Finch [PowerPoint download / slides] Ed.D., VP, National Business Group on Health, Washington, D.C. Kimberly Wells [PowerPoint download / slides], Deputy Principal Assistant, Office of the Director, Office of Management and Budget, Dover, Delaware. Rear Admiral Penelope Royall [no slides available] P.T., M.S.W., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. State Employee and Citizen Wellness Programs* Health promotion initiatives for state employees: Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.  State Employee Health Benefits- NCSL Webpage Wellness programs for state employees becoming more widespread List of state employee health plan agencies with links Statewide wellness programs for all citizens -- Arkansas, Indiana, Hawaii, North Dakota, Ohio and Vermont. *This list is an overview of State Employee and Citizens Wellness Programs, and may not be comprehensive. Other Non-NCSL Resources Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities Report estimates that disease prevention could save up to $16 billion annually with investment of $10 per person in prevention programs. (Trust for America's Health Report, 2008) Creating Healthy States: Building Healthy Worksites- Wellness in the workplace. National Governors Association, Center for Best Practices (Issue Brief, 2006) Creating Healthy States: Building Healthy Schools- Wellness in the schools. National Governors Association, Center for Best Practices (Issue Brief, 2006) Healthy America - Call to Action: An Agenda for America's Governors- National Governors Association, Healthy America Initiative (Issue Brief, 2006) NOTE: NCSL provides links to other Web sites from time to time for information purposes only. Providing these links does not necessarily indicate NCSL's support or endorsement of the site.

Featured Links NCSL Links NCSL Public Health NCSL Health Homepage Webinar Archive: Focusing on Food and Fitness: State Strategies for Healthy Communities "On the Road to Wellness"   State Employee Health Benefits Wellness Legislation School Wellness Insurance and Fiscal Incentives Other Wellness Legislation Recent News Items: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities Submit a question to NCSL (Legislators & staff only)