The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has published a new report showing that more companies are engaging with their communities on health topics. The annual Health & Wellness Pillar Progress Report highlights that last year there was a 26% rise in participation in health-related programmes amongst CGF members. The report is based on a survey of 83 CGF members, who generate a combined US$2.97 trillion in revenues.

Over 1.6 million employees participated in health and wellness programmes. Employees form key groups within local communities and improving health in the workplace is also seen as a key step towards healthier communities. The Consumer Goods Forum’s ‘Collaboration for Healthier Lives’ (CHL) initiative has pushed the issue of community health programmes and working with local public health authorities to the top of the agenda in the boardroom. The project, which aims to drive positive action within communities around the world, has encouraged FMCG companies to go out into communities and actively promote health and wellness.

The CGF Board Co-Sponsors Mark Schneider, CEO of Nestlé S.A and Dick Boer, Ahold Delhaize President and CEO wrote in the foreword to the report: “Our ambition to empower consumers to lead healthier lives is an important long-term objective that requires sustained effort. We are helping to improve the health of the communities we serve, but we know that there is so much more we can do together. Building upon our initial five-year plan from 2013, we now intend to strengthen our leadership in this area for the next five years and beyond.”

Read the full article about companies addressing local community health concerns from The Consumer Goods Forum at PR Newswire.