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How GE plans to improve staff health

October 28, 2009 18:45 IST

General Electric on Wednesday announced the launch of 'HealthAhead: Stand up for your Health' for all its employees globally in line with its commitment to developing innovations in the area of health.

'HealthAhead' is an opportunity for GE employees to engage in the company's new efforts of creating a culture of health, through an increased focus on nutrition, stress management, smoking cessation and promotion of physical activity.

Jeffrey R Immelt, chairman and chief executive officer of GE kickstarted the initiative.

As part of this initiative, GE Employees, worldwide pledged to start a new journey that will build a "culture of health" among employees and their families. Employees were welcomed on the day with fruits and other healthy foods and leading healthcare experts were invited to provide insights on life threatening diseases and gave tips to lead a healthy life. The health and wellness activities included health screening camps, walkathons, health quiz programs, surveys, and yoga teaching sessions.

Announcing the launch of HealthAhead in India, T P Chopra, president and CEO, GE India said, "We're calling this effort HealthAhead and we're celebrating it by taking a 'time out' from work today to focus on our health.

"This is a journey that we have to take together over the coming months and years and we'll start to see some changes beginning today. Through Healthymagination, we at GE are committed to improving the health of our employees and heir families."

Through the Health Ahead initiative, GE highlighted its commitment to improving the health of its employees, retirees and their families. GE will provide increased education about healthy living; new resources at GE worksites, online tools to help employees better track and manage health, and incentives to live healthier lives.