News Releases
New TCWW Texas Smokers Survey
AUSTIN – As Texans prepare their 2008 resolutions, a new survey of Texas smokers shows seven in 10 smokers have tried to beat their addiction and a majority say access to FDA-approved treatments would make them more likely to quit, according to a survey released today by the Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness (TCWW) .
Dallas-Fort Worth Business Group on Health Releases Report
DALLAS – December 17, 2007 – The Dallas-Fort Worth Business Group on Health (DFWBGH) announced today the release of a new report on the prevalence, costs and quality of care for Texans with type 2 diabetes. The Texas Type 2 Diabetes Report 2007 presents an overview of patient demographics, hospital and professional charges, utilizatio...
National Report Ranks Texas 42nd in Protecting Kids from Tobacco
WASHINGTON--Texas ranks 42nd in the nation in funding programs to protect kids from tobacco, according to a national report released today by a coalition of public health organizations. Texas currently spends $11.8 million a year on tobacco prevention programs, which is 11.4 percent of the minimum amount of $103.2 million recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). La...
Smokers Cost Medicaid System Nearly $10 Billion
America's Medicaid system could spend nearly $10 billion less within five years if all Medicaid beneficiaries who smoke, quit. A new study released today by the American Legacy Foundation found that effective smoking prevention and cessation programs could cut Medicaid costs by 5.6 percent.
The report, Saving Lives, Saving Money II, was conducted by RTI International and funded by the foun...
New Survey Shows Majority of Employers Rank Smoking as One of Their Greatest Priority Health Issues, But Only 2 Percent Provide Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Benefits for Employees
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 25, 2007 – A nationwide survey of employers released today shows that a majority of employers ranked smoking as one of the greatest priority health issues facing their companies, second only to obesity, but only two percent offer the comprehensive benefit recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1 The results were announced at a plenary session ...
WHO Calls for Smoke Free Communities
WHAT: World No Tobacco Day, an annual observance sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), provides an opportunity to expand the dialogue beyond the traditional smoke-free debate. The Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness is working to encourage Texas employers to embrace prevention and wellness in their employee health care offerings.
Nicotine addiction from smoking is a chro...
Texas Legislature Positions State as Leader in Prevention, Wellness
AUSTIN—As the regular session of the Texas Legislature draws to a close Monday, the Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness (TCWW) has pressed for passage of key legislation aimed at improving the health of Texas workers and controlling health care costs. House Bill 1297 (HB 1297) was approved by the House and Senate. A conference committee is working out differences in Senate Bi...
Texas Economic Impact Study Reveals Prevention, Wellness and Smoking Cessation Programs Will Result in Significant Net Economic Gains, Jobs
AUSTIN—The Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness (TCWW) today unveiled “An Ounce of Prevention,” a study of the potential impact of prevention, wellness and smoking cessation programs on the Texas economy, the State’s employee health insurance plan, the State’s Medicaid program and Texas employers. The Texas House and Senate are currently cons...
Statewide Business, Health Care Coalition Applauds Comptroller's Report on Obesity, Healthy Texas Workforce
Please attribute the following statement to Dr. Marianne Fazen, president and CEO of the Texas Business Group on Health and leader of the Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness:
“Comptroller Combs’ call for Texas employers to embrace prevention, wellness and healthy lifestyle choices is timely and needed. The comptroller lends a powerful voice to employers and health care advoca...
Wellness Legislation Offers Effective Means to Manage Rising Health Care Costs, Improve Workers' Health
AUSTIN—Citing the business and economic case for investments in prevention and wellness, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) supports HB 1297, Representative Dianne White Delisi’s state employee wellness legislation. TAB President Bill Hammond called on lawmakers to emphasize the value of prevention and wellness in the state workplace and as an effective means to manage rising health ...
Statewide Summit Urges Innovative Solutions to Employee Health
AUSTIN – More than 100 business leaders, health care advocates and policy makers joined Governor Rick Perry for a day-long gathering yesterday in Austin dedicated to encouraging the state’s major employers to embrace worksite wellness programs as an effective way to rein in skyrocketing health care costs and improve the health of Texas workers. The “CEO Summit” was sponsored by the Texas Co...
New Statewide Coalition Encourages Investment in Prevention, Wellness to Improve Quality of Life, Reduce Health Care Costs
AUSTIN – A new statewide business and health care coalition is leading an effort to encourage Texas employers to invest in prevention and wellness. The Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness (TCWW) wants Texas employers to make targeted investments in prevention and wellness initiatives as a way to improve health outcomes, reduce the devastating burden of disease and rein in skyrocketing health ca...