YSU awarded Healthy Ohio Worksite Award - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Health honored Youngstown State University for the second year in a row.

The university was selected this year to receive the bronze level Healthy Ohio Worksite Award. 

The award is given to employers that show a commitment to their employees' health through comprehensive worksite wellness programs. YSU's program, launched in 2009, includes fitness initiatives, health lectures and on-site health screenings.

The university wellness coordinator, Carrie Clyde, praises the amount of staff and faculty that participate in the program.

"In 2012, 46% of our eligible, benefitted employees participated in some aspect of our program," Clyde says. "Higher-ed is a great environment to work in, particularly with wellness, in being healthier. "

She says YSU's wellness program is entirely voluntary. Through the program, the school screens for risk factors and develops programs to help reduce the identified risk factors.