ICMA/CIGNA Survey: U.S. Cities and Counties Begin to Focus on Health Risks...( WASHINGTON and BLOOMFIELD Conn. O...),Health

WASHINGTON, and BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Oct. 8, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Although rising health care costs are a primary concern among America's local governments, most jurisdictions do not offer preventive and disease management programs targeting their stated top health issues, according to a survey of local governments released today by ICMA, the premier local government leadership and management organization, and sponsored by leading employee benefits carrier, CIGNA.

This may soon change. As the CIGNA/ICMA Local Government Employee Health Survey ( http://cigna.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=126 ) found that municipal and county administrators are planning to implement health improvement incentive and reward programs in the next few years.

The survey results will be discussed during a news event on Monday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in conjunction with the 93rd ICMA Annual Conference. The event will take place in Room 330 of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Key survey findings include:

-- The top three health concerns nationally as identified by local

government professionals are obesity/weight management (51%), heart

disease (42%), and stress management (38%)

-- Only one-third of municipalities and counties said they offer programs

to address such health issues as asthma and cancer; however, looking

ahead, another 20% of local governments indicate plans to offer disease

management programs during the next five years

-- The number of local governments that offer rewards to employees for

participating in wellness or disease prevention programs is expected to

double -- from 27% to 58% -- within five years

Planning for the Future

"Health care and its costs are a chief concern for our nation's local governments, and the choices we make over the next few
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