Our Health, Our Workforce: Can Michigan Make Employee Health a Competitive Advantage?
To: BUSINESS EDITORS
Contact: Kelly Fulford of Detroit Science Center, +1-313-577- 8400 x430, kfulford@sciencedetroit.org; or Jeff Moore of Altarum, +1- 703-575-1685, jeff.moore@altarum.org
DETROIT, April 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In the current climate of job losses and skyrocketing health care costs, can your health become your employer’s new competitive advantage? How might Michigan’s economic forecast brighten if employers proactively invested in the health of employees as opposed to further limiting benefits?
“Our Health, Our Workforce: Can Michigan Make Employee Health a Competitive Advantage?” continues the “Our Bodies, Our Health” series April 26, 2007 at 8 a.m. with a premier lineup of speakers discussing the value of investing in workforce health. Speakers include: A. Mark Fendrick, University of Michigan Center for Value- Based Insurance Design; Dee Edington, University of Michigan Health Management Research Center; Jeffrey Liker, University of Michigan College of Engineering; and Garry Lindsay, Partnership For Prevention.
The “Our Bodies, Our Health” Altarum Speakers Series complements the blockbuster exhibition “Our Body: The Universe Within” now showing at the Detroit Science Center. This session will focus on specific actions Michigan could take to become a national leader in promoting workplace wellness as a means of competitive advantage in the marketplace. Specific topics include benefit design and incentives, health risk assessments (HRAs) and best practice examples of wellness in the workplace. The types of preventative health issues raised in the session can be observed first-hand by examining the preserved bodies on display at the Our Bodies: The Universe Within exhibit.
“There have been previous conversations across the state of Michigan that validate the need to put a greater value on health in our workforce,” said Ken Baker, CEO, Altarum. “What makes this session different is our speakers will discuss concrete near- and long-term solutions to address and capitalize on this opportunity.” About the Event
Advanced registration is required and may be sent to events@sciencecenter.org. Continental breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m., with the session beginning promptly at 8 a.m. Admission to the Science Center will be waived for participation in the Speakers Series, but there is an admission charge to view the Body Exhibit afterward. Upcoming “Our Bodies, Our Health” Speaker Topics Include
May 3, 2007 – 7 p.m.: Our Health, Our Bones – Why Should Bone Health Matter to You?
May 24, 2007 – 7 p.m.: Our Health, Our Weight – Preventing Obesity in Children, Where Do We Begin?
June 14, 2007 – 7 p.m.: Our Health, Our Genes – Does Family History Accurately Predict Your Future Health? About the Exhibit
Our Body: The Universe Within is an eye-opening and educational exhibition comprised of actual human bodies and organs. The exhibit made its Midwest debut at the Detroit Science Center Jan. 13, 2007 and has been viewed by tens of thousands of visitors.
The exhibition exposes the inner workings of human anatomy by presenting actual human specimens, anatomical displays, reproductions of historic anatomical artwork and more. By presenting an artful, compelling and dignified environment, guests are able to connect with the human artifacts on a personal level that helps them to better understand their own bodies.
Tickets to Our Body: The Universe Within are $24.95 for adults, $22.95 for seniors and $19.95 for children. Science Center general admission is free with the purchase of a ticket to the exhibition. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Visitors may add the IMAX(R) Dome Theatre film The Human Body for an additional $3 for adults and $2 for children and seniors with the purchase of a ticket to Our Body: The Universe Within. Advance tickets are on sale at http://www.detroitsciencecenter.org. Our Body: The Universe Within is produced by the Universe Within Touring Company, LLC. About Altarum Institute
Altarum is a nonprofit health systems research institute, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich. Altarum provides independent research, objective analysis and consulting expertise to support the delivery of high quality care to individuals, families, local communities, members of the military, and veterans across our nation. Altarum also is exploring and modeling the policy, process, technology, and cultural changes needed to enable future health care systems that deliver excellent care to those who need it, value health for all and are sustainable. To learn more, visit http:// www.altarum.org. About The Detroit Science Center
The Detroit Science Center features 110,000 square feet of scientific exploration, including Michigan’s only IMAX(R) Dome Theatre; the Dassault Systemes Planetarium; the Ford Learning Resource Center; the DTE Energy Sparks Theater; the DaimlerChrysler Science Stage; an 8,700 square-foot Science Hall for traveling exhibits; hands-on exhibit galleries focusing on space, life and physical science; an SBC Children’s Gallery for pint-size scientists; and a Special Events Lobby. The Science Center has served more than 1.5 million visitors since its grand re-opening on July 28, 2001. For more information, please call 313-577-8400 or visit the website, http://www.detroitsciencecenter.org.
SOURCE Altarum Institute
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