One of the city’s top initiatives is the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Over the past few years, the city has created programming and activities, such as the Mayor’s Healthy Lifestyle Initiative, designed to help residents get in shape and stay healthy!

The city also works to bring these programs to its employees with the hopes of reducing absenteeism, lowering turnover, increasing productivity and job satisfaction. The city was recognized for this hard work by being named as a Start! Fit –Friendly Company by the American Heart Association . The city was recognized as a platinum award winner, the highest level of recognition given to employers. Las Vegas is only one of a handful of cities to earn this rating.

A couple of years ago, the city started a wellness program for employees, which provides assistance on many different health-related topics. Since the inception of the program, city employees have lost more than 6,000 pounds and walked more than 61,000 miles. The Start! program encourages employers to develop programs that allow employees to walk while at work.

In conjunction with the wellness program, this year the city will promote activities designed to support the Great American Smokeout, a national event which will be observed on Wednesday. Nov. 20. The program, now in its 33rd year, aims to inspire and encourage smokers to quit for one day. The city will be promoting this program to its employees by offering a “cold turkey” lunch and seminar and offering alternatives to smoking such as gum and carrot sticks.