Bupa launches ‘Healthy Cities’ program with a $1 million commitment to environmental restoration
Bupa has launched its Healthy Cities program in Australia and New Zealand, with Bupa employees walking and moving throughout the month of September to unlock $1 million in funding to help promote biodiversity and restore the environment.
Healthy Cities is a global initiative designed to empower people to adopt healthy, long-term habits in their everyday lives, while unlocking investment in nature. Through Bupa’s ‘Move Month’ in September, Bupa employees across Australia and New Zealand will be asked to complete activities and challenges to unlock Bupa investment into the restoration of the environment through our partners AirSeed Technologies, Earthwatch Australia, Greening Australia and Project Crimson Trust.
Bupa APAC CEO Nick Stone said we invest in this program to bring to life the link between human health and the health of the planet.
“It’s long been understood that getting active in nature is good for both your physical and mental health.
It’s long been understood that getting active in nature is good for both your physical and mental health.
“New research also suggests walking as little as 4,000 steps a day can improve your overall health[1] and exposure to thriving green spaces can reduce the risk of conditions such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stress,” Mr Stone said.
“Healthy Cities Move Month is a simple but powerful idea. The more steps people take, the more money Bupa will invest in biodiversity and environmental restoration programs. We want to help our people experience firsthand how adopting healthy habits in their day-to-day lives will not only improve their health, but the health of the planet.” Mr Stone said.
Bupa’s Healthy Cities initiative is already delivering some amazing results around the world, with 88,000 trees planted across 10 urban environments in Europe and Latin America in 2022. In Hong Kong, Healthy Cities launched earlier in the year, with funds already committed to Bupa’s partners The Green Earth and Clearbot.
“Along with our people, we’re thrilled to have some of our corporate and community partners such as Conservation Volunteers Australia, yourtown (operators of Kids Helpline), Tabcorp Australia, Wyndham Destinations, and The Shannon Company on board to help us achieve our goals and launch this exciting program.
“Step by step, and through a real team effort we’re going to do our bit to restore our precious and unique environment in Australia and New Zealand through the creation of Tiny Forests, the regeneration of wetlands, the planting of native seeds, and more; all of which will go towards making a healthier planet,” Mr Stone said.
Healthy Cities is key part of the Mission Regenerate pillar within Bupa’s global Sustainability Strategy. Bupa’s strategic objectives are to restore the health of our planet through community-based programs that focus on regenerating the environment and participating in community partnerships to bring our expertise to help drive health benefits through the conservation of natural ecosystems.
Further information on Bupa’s Healthy Cities program can be found here www.bupa.com.au/healthycities.
[1] association between daily step count and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: a meta-analysis | European Journal of Preventive Cardiology | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
