Here is the first portion of an article featured by Talent Management magazine. To see the list of 48 companies, check out all the resources, and sign up for a free subscription to the Talent Management and Chief Learning Officer magazines published by MedfiaTec, please click here.

*     *     *

The National Business Group on Health honored 48 U.S. employers for their ongoing commitment to promoting healthy work environments and encouraging workers to live healthier lifestyles. The employers, including 5 first-time winners, were presented with “2011 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles” awards at the Business Group’s Institute on Innovation in Workforce Well-being Leadership Summit held in Washington, DC.

Now in its seventh year, the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards annually acknowledge those employers that have responded to the need to improve their workers’ health, productivity and quality of life. The underlying goal of the program is to encourage all employers to take action.

Helen Darling, President and CEO of the National Business Group on Health, said, “Employer interest in creating healthy workplaces and a healthy workforce is at an all-time high as controlling health care costs remains a top priority. Employers have learned that it will be very hard, if not impossible to control costs if employees and family members have unhealthy lifestyles and related serious health conditions. The 48 employers we are recognizing this year have consistently demonstrated a commitment to providing innovative workplace health improvement programs that encourage healthier lifestyles for employees and their families.”

Winners of the 2011 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards were honored in one of two categories: Platinum, for established workplace well-being programs with measurable success and documented outcomes; and Gold, for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who are committed to long-term behavior changes.

The National Business Group on Health also recognized American Express and Intel Corporation with Global Distinction awards. This is the first time the Business Group has recognized companies that are developing and improving approaches to affect the physical, psychological and emotional health, well-being and productivity of global employees and their dependents. The Global Distinction designation does not honor any specific wellness initiatives but rather acknowledges corporate efforts on various fronts, ranging from headquarters to the country setting that address a number of health challenges — from effective health communication efforts to specific covered benefits.

To read the complete article and check out the list of comoanies, please click here.