A Message From NC Leaders In Health

Eating wisely, exercising regularly and steering clear of tobacco use are all essential for healthy lifestyles. But sensible changes at the community level can have an equally profound impact on people's well-being.

Communities can build parks and greenways within easy access of residents, support employee wellness programs, enhance nutrition and school physical activity policies, encourage tobacco-free environments and more. These are just a few examples of practical and sustainable ways to encourage healthy living through smart planning.

The Fit Community program is designed to recognize towns, cities and counties that are making better quality of life a real priority. On this Web site, you will see that some of our state's smallest towns and largest counties have already earned the Fit Community designation. These communities are leaders in making North Carolina a healthier state.

Lieutenant Governor Bev Perdue
Chair, NC Health & Wellness Trust Fund Commission

The communities in which we live, work and play have a direct impact on our health. At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), we're committed to making North Carolina's communities healthier. That's why, through the Fit Community program, we're recognizing places where we live, work and play that encourage healthy living.

As the state's largest health insurer, we know that unhealthy lifestyle choices can threaten the accessibility of health care, the competitiveness of our workforce and our quality of life. BCBSNC recognizes the problem, and we're trying to be part of the solution – in the community and through the benefits we offer. In 2004, we became the first insurer in the nation to cover obesity as a primary condition. We've also introduced benefits that help our members eat healthier and lose weight. To learn more, visit www.bcbsnc.com.

Our goal is to reduce long-term health problems by helping North Carolinians live healthier. I hope you'll join us in this mission to become fit – one person, one program and one community at a time.

Bob Greczyn
President and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina