CARY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The CEO Roundtable on Cancer has accredited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC with the CEO Cancer Gold StandardTM recognizing its efforts to reduce the risk of cancer for its employees and covered family members.
The CEO Roundtable on Cancer, a nonprofit organization of CEOs, founded by former President George H.W. Bush, developed and administers the Gold Standard, a workplace accreditation program which encourages and recognizes the commitment of organizations that take concrete actions to address cancer in their workplaces. Nearly 200 private, nonprofit and government employers in a wide range of occupational categories have earned Gold Standard accreditation, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and a number of NCI-designated cancer centers.
To earn Gold Standard accreditation, an employer must establish programs to reduce cancer risk by taking concrete actions in five key areas: establishing policies and programs to reduce cancer risk by prohibiting tobacco use and supporting tobacco cessation efforts; promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition and weight management; providing health insurance options that include detecting cancer at its earliest stages, access to quality care and participation in cancer clinical trials; promoting employee awareness of these initiatives; and supporting the needs of cancer survivors in the workplace.
"Adopting the Gold Standard is a tribute to the extraordinary leadership of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and to their determination to provide inspiration to organizations large and small that are committed to playing an active role in winning the battle against cancer,” said Robert A. Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer of Amgen and chairman of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer.
“Wellness is something the Chamber believes in deeply and practices every day. We provide our staff with a number of resources to help them get and stay healthy. Why? It’s simple—it is the right thing to do for our people and, therefore, our organization,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Our Talent Solutions team has long worked to promote the good policies and practices that led to the CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation. We are proud of this recognition and will continue to work to protect and improve the health and wellness of our employees and their families.”
In addition to NCI and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 NCI-designated cancer centers and more than 100 hospitals have earned Gold Standard accreditation. CEOs from many industries are keenly aware of the life-improving impact they can have on health and controlling healthcare costs when they address cancer and other chronic diseases. Gold Standard employers include: Avis Budget Group, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Lowe’s, Amgen, State Farm, Hogan Lovells, Dell, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, SAS and many Blue Cross affiliates.
About The U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. www.uschamber.com
About The CEO Roundtable on Cancer
The CEO Roundtable on Cancer was founded in 2001, when former President George H.W. Bush challenged a group of executives to "do something bold and venturesome about cancer within your own corporate families." The CEOs responded by creating and encouraging the widespread adoption of the CEO Cancer Gold Standard™ which calls for organizations to evaluate their health benefits and workplace culture and take extensive, concrete actions in five key areas of health and wellness to address cancer in the workplace. For more information on the CEO Cancer Gold Standard and the free web-based accreditation process, please visit www.CancerGoldStandard.org.
