Newsroom

BOSTON - Mayor Thomas M. Menino today launched a drive to encourage employers in multi-floor buildings to get their employees to stay more physically active during the cold winter months by joining the Boston Public Health Commission’s Take the Stairs - Every Step Counts campaign.

“The campaign is based on a simple premise,” Mayor Menino said. “Instead of taking the elevator or escalator, try taking the stairs. We often overlook this easy and free way of incorporating physical activity into our daily routines.”

Mayor Menino issued the call to employers at the corporate headquarters of New Balance in Brighton, one of the first companies to sign up for the campaign. Mayor Menino was joined by officials from the Public Health Commission, the American Heart Association, New Balance Chief Executive Officer Rob DeMartini, and representatives from neighborhood walking groups established by the Commission’s chronic disease prevention program called Boston Steps.

So far, 33 businesses and organizations, including New Balance, Atrius Health/Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, and the Gillette Co. have agreed to participate in the campaign. Other worksites include local YMCAs, community health centers, hospitals, community development agencies, the City of Boston, and the John F. Kennedy Federal Building.

As part of the agreement, the employers pledged to post “point of decision” signage created by the Public Health Commission next to elevators and escalators. The signs consist of creative messages designed to influence one’s decision about whether or not to take the stairs: “No waiting…One door over!” “Walking up stairs burns 3 times more calories than riding the elevator!” “No time to exercise
today? Your opportunity is now!”

The Public Health Commission is also making available a tool kit that contains ideas for promoting stairwell use at worksites, including adding art and music to stairwells and creating employee challenges and competitions. The American Heart Association is providing information packets on starting employee walking programs and eating healthier at work.

A recent study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found an increase in stair use when signage was displayed at the decision point between the stairs and the escalator or elevator. The study also said that stairwell use is a lifestyle choice that helps increase overall physical activity.

“By adopting the Take the Stairs - Every Step Counts campaign, companies are creating a supportive work environment that promotes daily physical activity that many people find hard to achieve in their busy lives,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, executive director of the Public Health Commission. “We hope that more companies and institutions will respond to Mayor Menino’s call and join the campaign, which is particularly useful as winter sets in and exercising outdoors becomes more of a challenge.”

“As a global athletic company, New Balance understands the importance of incorporating physical activity into our daily lives,” said Rob DeMartini, the CEO at New Balance. “We are excited to take another step in enhancing our culture of workplace wellness by joining other local organizations in
Boston Public Health Commission’s Take The Stairs - Every Step Counts initiative.”