Katie Johnke, Dietitian Coordinator, announced that the North Dakota Cancer Coalition has awarded Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health with a $3658 sub-contract grant. The funds will be used to implement a comprehensive worksite wellness program for the City of Bismarck employees by increasing physical activity into the work day through physical activity opportunities, policy and environmental changes.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in North Dakota. Through prevention the number of people that die from cancer will be significantly reduced. By implementing a comprehensive worksite wellness program, it can help decrease healthcare costs by 26%, decrease worker’s compensation expenses by 32%, and decrease absenteeism by 26% (Chapman, Larry S, The Art of Health Promotion, July/August 2005).
Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health looks to promote health and wellness within the community. Together, we will impact the effects of cancer in our state and make the vision of a cancer free North Dakota a reality.
Funding for this grant is made available from the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at the North Dakota Department of Health. To learn more about the North Dakota Cancer Coalition, please visit the Coalition website at www.ndcancercoalition.org.