23 May 2010

As a national health care provider, St John of God Health Care is keen to promote healthy lifestyle choices, including regular exercise, among its 9,500-strong workforce and this demanding event
has been a key part of the organisation’s employee health and wellbeing calendar for five consecutive years.

The pedometer-based walking challenge sees participants take part in a virtual walk around the world, with teams vying to reach a variety of global destinations. The challenge is specifically designed for the workplace, encouraging teams to build extra steps into their daily routine, as well as increase their exercise out of work.

St John of God Health Care’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Michael Stanford, said: “I wholeheartedly encourage our caregivers to take part this type of activity which has proven health and wellbeing benefits as well as being fun.”

Apart from increasing exercise levels from an average of 2.7 times per week to 3.5 times per week by the end of the challenge, other proven health benefits include increase in energy, decrease in stress, and weight loss, according to the Global Corporate Challenge.

Dr Stanford said: “Creating a healthy working environment is vital because we need our caregivers, as we call our staff, to stay well and get the best out of themselves. It is also an important factor in
staff satisfaction.”

Teams come up with inventive tactics to increase their daily step counts ranging from extremely dedicated steppers who hire exercise machines, to others who take part in charity fun runs, or those who take the stairs instead of taking the lift.

An added benefit is that for every one of St John of God Health Care’s 350 participants, an equivalent number of children in the community can be enrolled in the Global Children's Challenge at no cost. This is to encourage healthy active habits in children, and present exercise as fun, stimulating and worthwhile.

Established in 1895 in Western Australia, St John of God Health Care is a not for profit Catholic health group operating in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific with 13 hospitals, pathology,
home nursing and Social Outreach services.