Los Angeles employs nearly 50,000 people, making it one of the largest employers in the region. To achieve its goal of creating a healthier, happier workforce, the city’s Personnel Department launched a Wellness Program, beginning with the 24,000 members of its Flex Benefits Program.
FUSE Executive Fellow Joan Centanno led the implementation of the initiative, helping tens of thousands of city employees find ways to improve their physical and mental well-being. Joan’s work helped create a culture of wellness in order to improve the overall health of the employee population, thereby reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases and costs to the city. She also successfully corralled the support needed throughout the department to implement visible signs of a wellness culture that regularly engages with the employee community, clearly showing the department’s commitment to the program.
