Who Hates America The World Stage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Who Hates America The World Stage - Essay Example On one side, the 'American is still the greatest country in the world' faces off with their opponents - the 'America is the home of political tyranny and capitalist imperialists' tribe. Each group comes to the table with a particular set of talking points. Each group seems to have an ax to grind, and regardless of the amount of angst burning between them, either group rarely hesitates to through a bit more gasoline on the fire. At times, it seems that the purpose is to create a larger fire, rather than promote honest communication and positive progress toward constructive goals. But such is the life of those who have power vs. those who want to accumulate power. Conflict seems to be the chosen path. Hating America has been a staple of the American cultural battle since the 1960's. Since a large number of students dissented over the Vietnam War, and took their voice to the streets, and newspaper headlines, political distress has become commonplace in the American culture. ... One group believes that democracy, or a democratic republic can best guide its own destiny with tools, information, and opportunity. The other seems to desperately create reality following the communist principle, that 'if you repeat something long enough, often enough and loud enough, people will eventually believe it, and follow you. However, from a global viewpoint, the picture changes. The world has its own views of the American experiment on freedom and self governance. These views flow from their own worldview, and their own experiences within the political subsystems in their own countries. So when discussing "who hates America" the question of 'why' must also have added to it the question of 'what is the person's own paradigm and experience" as well as "What does the speaker have to gain be winning listeners to his or her point of view. Often this last question is more revealing than the person's own words. This phenomenon has gained momentum and stature during the last half decade since the terrorist bombings of Sept 11, 2001. Being the first act of war on American soil, this incident galvanized the American peoples to action. The terrorist network had been growing for some time during the 1990's. The bombing of the marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon (cnn.com, 2003), the subterranean truck bomb attack on the World Trade Center buildings in 1993 (Wickens, 2000), the attack on the USS Cole in 2000 (Rodgers, and Frieden, 2000) . . . and the list goes on. After each of these terrorist attacks, the American political leaders rattled their sabers a bit, but generally subjugated their efforts to the opinion of the world stage. However, when a terrorist attack killed thousands of American civilians, and was carried out on American

Humpback Whales Essay Example for Free

Humpback Whales Essay General Description: A. Body Symmetry: Bilateral B. Special Pigments or Coloration: Dark grey with lighter underbelly; flippers and flukes are grey and spotted with white C. Habitat: (Zone) Benthic and coastal (Geographic): From Alaska to the Caribbean D. Specific Characteristics: 1) Reproduction: Polygamous; Seasonal breeding 2) Feeding Techniques: Filter feeders; Bubble netting, Ring of foam, Lunging. 3) Defense Techniques: Humpbacks have few predators other than humans, and don’t have any defensive techniques. Some of the largest animals on Earth are the gentlest. The humpback whale is a stellar example of gentle, with its diet, behavior, and complete lack of natural predators. Whales as a species are typically depicted as large animals, understandable with the smallest member of the species, the dwarf sperm whale, measuring on average 9 feet and weighing in at around 400 pounds. The humpback, however, is one of the largest whales, coming in just behind the finback and blue whales. Humpbacks are anywhere from 48 to 63 feet long and weigh an average of 40 tons. They’re recognizable by their large, dark grey bodies with a â€Å"hump† shaped dorsal fin and unusually long white pectoral fins. The humpback’s genus name, Magaptera Novaengliae, means â€Å"big-winged, New Englander† because the largest colony of whales was along the northeast coast of the United States in the Atlantic. But humpback whales are also found vastly between California and Russia. They are migratory marine mammals, and often spend their summers in high latitude areas such as the Gulfs of Maine or Alaska, and then swim south to breed in the subtropical waters in the Dominican Republic and Hawaiian Islands. The humpback actually holds the record for farthest migration of any mammal. The longest recorded migration was 5,160 miles from Costa Rica to Antarctica by a pod of 7 whales. The big-winged New Englander’s diet consists of mostly small organisms even though they are such large animals. Humpbacks belong to the branch of whales known as Mysticeti or baleen whales. Baleen whales do not have teeth, they have baleen which are teeth-like bristles that help the whale to filter small fish and crustaceans from the water for the whale to eat. Baleen whales like the humpback live on a diet of small fish, salmon, herring, krill, and other crustaceans. To compensate for its size, a humpback whale must intake about 3000 pounds of food per day. Humpbacks are very social creatures that travel in pods, and in order to get this much food for the entire pod, they hunt as a group. They don’t hunt like toothed whales, but viciously attacking their prey, but they will lunge at their prey when the confused organisms are trapped in a giant bubble net. Bubble netting is when a pod of whales swim around a school of fish and exhale through their blowholes, producing bubbles, and scaring their prey into a small ball by slapping their flippers and creating loud vocal sounds. Speaking of humpbacks being very social animals, they are also highly recognized by their impressive aerial displays across the surface of the water in spite of their immense weight. Breaching is a popular and well-known trick of all whales. It is when a whale la unches themselves above the water, often twisting in midair, and splashing back down on their sides. Scientists aren’t exactly sure why, but it is speculated that it could be an alternative method of communication as well as an alternative to spyhopping. Spyhopping is when a whale swims vertically to the surface and exposes only as much of their head so as to have their eyes above water in order to check their surroundings. This could very well be why tourist ships get so many photos of whales breaching. Other whale behaviors include slapping the water with its overtly large pectoral fins and belly-flipping. Belly-flipping is simply when a whale lies on its back in the water and slaps the water with one flipper at a time. These behaviors have been seen during courtship and feeding. Humpback whales are polygamous animals, with the males competing for aggressively for oestrous females. Breeding takes place in the winter and in tropical waters. The gestation period for humpbacks is 11 to 12 months, but the mother only gives birth to one calf at a time. The calf will stay by its mother’s side for 2 to 3 years, and reach sexual maturity at around 4 to 5 years old. Females typically produce offspring every 2 years but can birth 2 calves in 3 years. Since the whales are mammals, the female gives birth to a live calf and then breastfeeds for about 5 months. Humpbacks are not territorial, but calves are also to be protected at all costs. Therefore, it makes sense that these gentle giants are only ever not so gentle when competing for a mate, and when they believe an outside whale poses a threat to the pod’s calves’ safety. In the pod, â€Å"Escort† whales may swim with a calf and its mother. The Escort whale, (most are male), may blow bubbles to create a ‘screen’ when outside humpbacks get too close. They also show aggression on occasion when boats and ships get too close. Such aggressive behavior may include body thrashing, horizontal tail-lashing, and lobtailing. Lobtailing is basically tail slapping, which can do a lot of damage considering the strength in the humpback’s large white and grey flukes. Generally speaking, pods are more aggressive than individual whales. Humpback’s are perhaps most well-known for their hauntingly beautiful and mysterious whale songs. They are the only whales that do so, and scientists have yet to decipher what they mean. However, we are aware that their melodic whalesong are obviously means of communicating to fellow whales. The songs can last for over 20 minutes and continue for more than 24 hours per session. Male humpbacks have also been known to sing in order to attract mates. For a scary century, humpback whales were high on the endangered species list. It is only recently that these graceful and gentle giants have accumulated once again to a healthy population of at least 80,000 whales. Economically, humpbacks are wonderful tourist attractions for the coastal states as they’re the favorites of whale watchers. It is better that money is made from watching them than money being made for their meat, baleen, skin, and oil, as well as their very existence.

Social Structure of Pompeii and Herculaneum

Social Structure of Pompeii and Herculaneum Many written and archaeological sources have revealed different information about the social structure in Pompeii and Herculaneum. Pompeii and Herculaneum housed over 10 000 to 20 000 people, all separating into three main social classes; Freeborn, Freedmen and Slaves. All people were either permanently born into a specific group or rarely had the ability to change their status.  [1]  Pompeii and Herculaneum consisted of a range of mixed social groups which included rich land-owners, merchants, artisans and slaves. Both towns were lead by men following the patriarchal system. All elite people were determined by their previous families.  [2]  Men and women were treated differently, as the women had less responsibility to the community then the men had.  [3]   On the top of the social structure in Pompeii and Herculaneum was Freeborn. Freeborn men and women were classified as the high-class residents of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both politically and socially.  [4]  Freeborn people lived on altering their lives to satisfy and impress the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum.  [5]  It was important to publicly show that they were elite and important and in doing so freeborn men and women dressed with discrete details (toga for men and stola for women, (Refer to Appendix 9 and 10) that made them stand out amongst the rest of the public.  [6]  All freeborn people in Pompeii and Herculaneum came from either their ancestors or by property.  [7]  They included wealthy landowners and businessmen. Freeborn men had many advantages and satisfactions in being so highly ranked. Men had full legal rights and could become candidates for political office. They could become part of the council and dominate the community finances, spaces and rel igion. Freeborn men were very influential people who had statues devoted to them and had honorary tombs made for them. Freeborn men had reserved seating in the amphitheatre.  [8]   An archaeological fresco has shown a wealthy freeborn man and women in a banquet scene which indicates the social standing, where servants and slaves are typically displayed as smaller and lower people in the picture.  [9]  ( Refer to Appendix 5) Women in Pompeii and Herculaneum were expected to run the household, take care of children and manage the finances.  [10]  High-class women unlike men could not be in the political office. They were under the legal administration of their fathers and husbands which meant that they would belong with whichever social class their husband or father were in  [11]  . Freeborn women could own their own property, have an education and become businesswomen and priestesses. An example of a woman was Eumachia who was both business woman and a city priestess.  [12]  (Refer to Appendix 1).Another example is Julia Felix who was a very wealthy women who owned an entire block of land in Pompeii.  [13]  (Refer to Appendix 4). Like freeborn men, women received statues and tombs in their honour. Women also helped with the construction of buildings and tombs.  [14]  Women in Pompeii and Herculaneum were not classified as citizens, education was a symbol of respect but motherhood was the most valued occupation.  [15]  They could not control the political office as they required particular characteristics such as power and rights which they lacked.  [16]  Unlike many other Roman women Pompeian women had more freedom and could participate in the public, religious and business life.  [17]  Several wall paintings, inscriptions and frescoes have displayed Pompeian and Herculaneum women actively engaged in public activities and walking around the city freely.  [18]  (Refer to Appendix 6 and 7). Eumachia was a very influential women in Pompeii and Herculaneum. She owned a large building in the Forum of Pompeii which was the Fullers (Refer to Appendix 3). An inscription signifies that she built it with her own money, in honour of Augustan concord. Eumachia was the patron of the Fullers who worked in the building. The Fullers made a statue in her honour.  [19]   Freed people were known as liberti who were formerly known slaves. In order to become a Freedmen one must buy their freedom or be granted it by their owner.  [20]  Freed men were men and women who were freed from slavery and no longer had to serve anyone.  [21]  The process and ceremony of being set free was called Manumission and in this process the former slave was beaten for the last time to remind them that they were still in debt to their master.  [22]  Freed mens names gave evidence to the status they belonged to.  [23]   The freed people had numerous restrictions on their rights as they owed duties and responsibilities to their previous owners. This is where the patronage system comes into action where the former slave has become the client for their master. Freedmen had low social status and were poor, but it was possible for them to succeed in trade and become wealthy.  [24]  Many freedmen became wealthy and influential; an example is the Vetii Brothers, 1895.  [25]  The Vetii Brothers Aulus Vettius Restitutus and Aulus Vettius Conviva were former slaves who had been freed and became wealthy tradesmen. The House of the Vetii was owned by the Vettii brothers and one of the most well known and admired houses, it displayed a range of different frescoes which indicated their wealth through trade. Evidence has proven that they were wine merchants and became very well known and influential people in Pompeii and Herculaneum.  [26]   A fresco in their home portrayed Hermes god of Trade, located in their triclinium trying to profess their thanks to him.  [27]  (Refer to Appendix 8). Another archaeological source was a poster which said: [A VETTIUS] RESTITUTUS ROG[AT] VETTI CONIVA, AUGUSTALIS [FAC]. This poster was used to help the former owners of the brothers in the political votes as they had gained many connections through trade. The House of the Vettii contained many archaeological sources which helped reveal information about the social structure in Pompeii and Herculaneum. (Appendix 11 shows a picture of Priapus weighing his phallus, which was located at the front door greeting the guests). Freedmen participated in religious cults and could have their own businesses. Freedmen could not have political power like Freeborn men could but they could vote in the elections. Freed women like men could not hold formal political office and could also work for their former master through the patronage system.  [28]   In Pompeii and Herculaneum little evidence has been found about the slaves and their lives.  [29]  Slaves came from a range of different countries and could be bought and sold by their masters.  [30]  Slaves had no rights, privileges  [31]  and no permanent home as their owners could sell and dispose of them at anytime.  [32]  Many owners bought slaves for sexual intentions.  [33]  Several slaves were educated sometimes more than their owner. Their duty was to clean and cook , some took on the role of doctors and teachers.  [34]   In Pompeii slaves came from debtors and prisoners from wars usually consisted of women and children.  [35]  Slaves made up for forty percent of the population in both Pompeii.  [36]  Slaves worked for Freeborn people, Freedmen and the town council.  [37]  A range of evidence identifies that some slaves lived with their owners as they were considered by law as part of the property.  [38]  The House of Menander and the House of the Centenary are some examples of houses where specific rooms were assigned only to the slaves.  [39]  Tombs that were owned by slaves was rare, seemingly as most slaves were buried in random unmarked places.  [40]  An example of a tomb that was owned by a slave is shown through inscriptions Conviva, slave of Veia, lived 20 years.  [41]   The main goal was to be granted freedom and no longer be a slave for anyone. In order to be free it was required by the slave to either pay off their freedom or be granted freedom by their owner. The freedom converted the slaves to Freedmen.  [42]  Freedom for the slaves came with a ceremony called Manumission.  [43]  Many slaves resumed work with their previous owners but did not get the benefit of citizenship.  [44]   The relationship between the client and patron was a very common characteristic in all social classes in Pompeii and Herculaneum. It was a patronage system where high status people became leaders to the lower class people making them the client. In return the client was expected to support their master through political elections and any other services needed. In doing so the client was rewarded with a gift ,free meal or guidance with their the legal affairs. Clients were supported politically, socially, economically and legally. After many years of serving the owner the slave is granted freedom and adopts the owners name and become their client.  [45]   An example of this relationship was Eumachia and the guild of fullers. A statue of Eumachia was dedicated to her in her honour by the Fullers. (Refer to Appendix 1).Also there was an inscription on the statue that read The Fullers (dedicated this statue) to Eumachia, daughter of Lucius, Public priestess.  [46]  (Refer to Appendix 2). In conclusion written and archaeological sources have created a wide range of knowledge about the social structure in Pompeii and Herculaneum. The social structure branched out into three main categories freeborn, freedmen and slaves, people were either born into the social class or rarely changed into another status. Appendix Appendix One- http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1058/739235616_e3e5b19055.jpg Appendix Two- http://www.vroma.org/images/mcmanus_images/eumachia_inscript.jpg inscription on Eumachias building Appendix Three- scan from book. Appendix Four- Insulae of Julia Felix. http://wings.buffalo.edu/AandL/Maecenas/italy_except_rome_and_sicily/pompeii/ac880526.jpg Refer to Appendix 5- http://www.scalarchives.com/scalapic/foglia1/b/AF00125b.jpg Appendix Six- Three women conversing in Herculaneum. (Fresco) http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/8C223073-D171-4282-86AB-9CFCDFA59F18/MI001617.jpg http://www.corbisimages.com/Images/spacer.gif Appendix Seven- Women playing the Lyre. http://www.the-romans.co.uk/g5/22.woman_with%20_lyre_small.jpg Appendix Eight- Hermes god of Trade. Priapus-Hermes (Mercury), phallic fertility god, with caduceus | Roman fresco Pompeii Appendix 9- Stola for Women. http://www.fashion-era.com/images/all_greeks_romans/faustina-roman-flora2.jpg Appendix 10- Toga for Men. Appendix 11- http://0.tqn.com/d/ancienthistory/1/0/0/l/2/HouseoftheVetii.jpg

Canada Lacks A Real National Identity Essay example -- essays research

Canada Lacks A Real National Identity   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I believe that Canada lacks a real national identity. Canadians tend to identify with community and region rather than the nation. Because Canada has such a great cultural diversity the Canadian identity is shaped by our values and attitudes as they have emerged from our history and geography. Bilingualism and multiculturalism are very important to the Canadian identity. They both strengthen and challenge Canadian identity. Because Canada has so many cultural and regional groups, interaction between them influences one ¹s identity. Differing views of Canada by Canadians and other countries prove that Canada does not have a true national identity. Because of these factors Canada lacks a national identity, one which everyone can recognize.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When someone asks a Canadian what his nationality is, he does not reply,  ³Canadian ², instead,  ³German ²,  ³Scottish ² or  ³Ukrainian ². This is because we as Canadians do not see ourselves as distinct Canadians. We need to have a common idea of what it is to be Canadian rather than always identifying with the place we came from. We identify with community or region over nation. To gain a Canadian identity we must learn to identify with a nation, Canada. This is one of the main reasons we lack a Canadian identity, because we as Canadians do not really think of ourselves as Canadians. We may be Canadians but we think of Canada as a place of refuge rather than a home. This ties in with our lack of patriotism. Many Canadians that I know, come Olympic time or another big world competition, rather that cheering for Canada, will cheer for their home country. A reason for this is because of our multicultural society. Because in Canada, Å’ anything goes ¹, there is no push to be Canadian. So they can do what they want and carry on with their cultural traditions. Because there is really no Canadian identity to begin with, it makes it all the easier for them to carry on as they wish. This explains why people who are Canadian citizens tend to identify more with community or region than with Canada.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Canadians all have different values and traditions, like any country, but in Canada there is a great diversity of values and traditions. This makes it harder for people to identify with each other. Alexander and Pearl e... ...e West feel alienated by the East and think that they are not cared about, that they do not have an equal opportunity with those in the East. Those in the East think the Westerners are treated the same and that there is nothing for them to be upset about. Canadians as a whole do not see Canada the way the other countries do. Canadians don ¹t think we are as great of a country as we really are. The country of Canada lacks a true national identity, partly because of all of the different views of Canada.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Because of many factors, Canada lacks a real national identity. Canadians identify with community, region, but rarely a nation. Values, attitudes and cultures of different groups shape identity as they have emerged from our history and geography. Bilingual and multicultural polices which help people preserve their own cultures can also have an affect on Canadian identity. Interaction between groups and people that have different views on Canada can influence the Canadian identity. Even though people have their own idea of the Canadian identity, Canada lacks a true national identity, one that is clearly Canadian and can be recognized by anybody, anywhere.

Heineken Environment Analysis Essay

The bargaining power of suppliers The suppliers of raw materials to Heineken Company are mainly farmers. Therefore, the threat for power of supplier is high. The bottle supplier for Heineken is provided by Heye Glas Nederland which is fully supplied the green bottle for the worldwide distribution of Heineken beer. In the past, Heineken kept only 33% its stake in Heye Glas in order to secure the supply of high quality export bottles at a lower cost to meet the needs for demand but now Heineken has kept 100% stake in 2002. Beer is produced by water, barley, hops and yeast. These ingredients are supplied by farmers. Heineken also mentioned that competition for agricultural products from the biofuels industry that is affecting their costs. The bargaining power of buyers The buyers in this industry have many choices as there are many companies serving beer. This will increase the choice of the customer and hence the threat for power of buyers is high. For example, for serving customer at the pub, there are a lot of beer brands for them to fit their taste such as Guiness, Carlsberg, Tiger. Therefore, buyers now have a choice to choose the one they like. As a result, choosing of customer for what kind beer they want to drink will bring threats for Heineken. The threat of potential new entrants Nowadays, an explosion of smaller brewers has entered the market during the past decade that making the industry much more competitive. Heineken is one of the largest brewers in the world and they have to share market with other brewer. The barrier in the beer market is low. Therefore, the threat of potential new entrants for Heineken is high. This will make Heineken considering to create innovation or uniqueness into their product that can  sustain competitive advantages in the beer market. The threat of substitutes Beer is a kind of beverage which contains alcohol. However, people can switch to drink wine which also is alcohol drink. Customer’s taste is not similar so that they have right to choose what they want to enjoy, so this will affect the beer market as well as Heineken Company. As a result, the threat of substitute for beer market is high. The extent of competitive rivalry Heineken has achieved the economy of scale in the market especially in Europe. It holds about 30% of market share in European beer market. Since the beer market is growing, so the competitors will try to attain their growth targets. The large brewer like Heineken tends to enforce their own strategies to the beer industry and due the economies of scale they will produce higher quality and unique products which can make their own place in the market, hence keep themselves growing to achieve their target. Internal analysis of the company Analysis the resources Tangible: Since Heineken know that their plant and equipment is a key for company production, they invest so much in the infrastructure to make sure that their operation is working efficiently. For example, Heineken have four breweries in Russia, all those use KHS Till plant technology. This equipment at Heineken’s packaging can processes 50 liter kegs in addition to 30 liter at an output of up to 140 kegs an hour. As a result, the two-lane machine can operate with one racking, six washing and sterilizing stations. Intangible: brand name is most valuable asset of the Heineken Company, they has built this name Heineken with premium brand. The company recognizes that brand is very important key for them to develop a strong presence globally in the beer market so that Heineken have a lot of marketing activities for its brand name. Furthermore, branding is also a highly defensible competitive advantage for Heineken; this would bring strength to company expansion. Hence Heineken Company can stretch their production internationally and add more money for company. Management capability: Heineken implemented a number of new initiatives in the area of leadership development in 2004. One is a new leadership competency model that defines behavior expectations from all senior managers at Heineken. The model takes Heineken company ambitions and values as a starting point and translates these into the leadership behavior required from senior managers. With marketing differentiation using different message within normal media advertising can also have differentiating effect. This differentiation will bring strengths for Heineken. When most advertisers are pursuing essentially the beer market with the same message like showing gregarious groups of males in public houses having an enjoyable night out. In the other hand, Heineken managed to differentiate its beer by using a series of advertisements employing humour and the caption Heineken refreshed the parts other beers can not reach. Organizational structure In 2005 Heineken announced that it was created a new top management structure, this would drive and support growth as a global organization. In order to connect functions, operation and finance in a more effective way, the company create a new more streamlines Executive Board. Hence change would lead to create strengths for operating regions and global functions. Furthermore, Heineken has grown substantially over the past four years. The new structure is better suited to the present organization and ensures faster decision-making. In the beer market where the consolidation process is accelerating and rapid introduction of innovations is essential, this is crucial to the achievement of Heineken’s long term ambitions. Culture Heineken is proud of they are one of the world’s great beer companies. Hence their culture will reflect the company view and values. These values create so many strengths for company to develop their environment within the  company. Heineken based on the value that they respect their employees, business partners, customers, shareholders and all others who are connected to the company. Furthermore, Heineken make life more enjoyable by bring enjoyment to life, they also encourage this core value within the working places and atmosphere within the company. In addition, company has a fundamental belief in the concept and delivery of quality, it is also reflected in their other activities such as their social and employment policies. This will create benefit and value both for Heineken and their reputation. As a result, these values define Heineken corporate culture and working methods which help company to do the business successfully.

On Site Wellness Programs in Corporate America Essay

On site wellness programs are now focal points in major corporate organizations in America, as company managers attempt to improve the health and well being of their employees, in order to control health care costs. Some health conditions can be diagnosed early by building health awareness among employees, and carrying out screening campaigns. Early diagnosis also ensures that health problems are treated on time, to decrease the risk of complications arising, thus reducing overall health care costs, and improving or maintaining employees’ optimal health status, and work performance. In the early 1990s, managed care plans were implemented, which helped in the control of increasing health care costs. Organizations continued throughout the 1990s to upgrade their health care plans, in an effort to further reduce health care costs. As we entered the beginning of the millennium, it became increasingly difficult for these modifications to contain the continuous rise in health care costs. It became clear that it was necessary have additional measures in place. Wellness in a corporate environment begins with a conscious decision to shape employees’ habits to fit into a healthy lifestyle. This conscious effort is a much better alternative in the long run, than dependency on drugs and doctors. This encompasses employee education, fitness, adequate and proper nutrition, stress reduction and mental health. Most times, employees in a corporate organization are plagued by Poor exercise habits, High stress levels, High cholesterol, Former or current use of tobacco products, and extreme weight (either too high or too low body weight). Employees whose lifestyles include health risks like smoking, drinking, and who get little or no exercise become overweight at a rate that is 75% higher than those of employees who participate in wellness programs and activities. High-risk employees at this Grand Rapids, Michigan-furniture manufacturing company who improved their health habits through the company’s health promotion program and became low risk cut their average medical claims in half thus lowering their medical insurance costs by an average of $618 per year. If all high-risk employees (20% of the total employee population) in one location changed their lifestyles to become low risk, the projected savings could total $20 million over three years. The Steelcase study that correlated health risk and lifestyle assessments with medical claim costs showed that employees who were high risk in 1985 but had shifted to a low risk profile by 1998 had much lower medical claims from 1988-1990. (2004). In 1985, Average annual claims increased from $1,155 to about $1,677. Medical claims also remained at approximately the same level for low risk employees, both in 1985 and 1988. But those who went from low risk to high risk in the same period saw an increase in their medical claims from about $655 to $1,513. Ten years into a 20-year study of Steelcase Inc, a conducted by the University of Michigan, the following results were evident — high-risk employees who dropped to low-risk through participation in health and fitness programs at work decreased their average annual medical claims by 54 percent. In contrast, high-risk individuals who remained high-risk increased their costs by 26 percent. And low-risk employees who became high-risk increased their annual claims by 130 percent. To establish and continue with a corporate lifestyle that is consistent with wellness principles of wellness and well-being on a daily basis, is not an easy task . Most people who do not indulge in exercise and wellness activities say that they simply don’t have time to exercise. Indeed, various work-life surveys have shown that about 84. percent of employees in corporate organizations are in a constant struggle to maintain their fitness levels and their health. In 1999, a study on corporate wellness was carried out by the Lewin Group. This study confirmed that obesity among corporate employees greatly increases the risk of developing chronic heath conditions, and it was also discovered that about 22% of the working adult population have obesity related problems. Obesity and excess weight are directly responsible for 31% of health care costs in corporate America. The fifteen ailments involved in the study included breast cancer, arthritis, endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, Type II diabetes, end stage renal disease, gall bladder disease, heart disease, hypertension, renal cell cancer, sleep apnea, liver disease, low back pain, urinary incontinence, and stroke. People with a BMI (Body Mass Index) that is above 35 are 6. 61 times more at risk of having Type II diabetes than people with a BMI that is less than 25. employees with high BMI are also 3. 77 percent more at risk of being hypertensive. Lifestyle related conditions are disorders that can be positively or negatively impacted by lifestyle behaviors such as eating habits, wellness checkups, exercise, safety habits, and alcohol and substance abuse. Other behaviors such as adherence to physician prescribed therapies and medication have a direct impact on outcomes and utilization. By practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors and adhering to prescribed plans of care, individuals can improve their health and decrease risk of illness, accident or injury. By doing so, related health care costs can be significantly reduced. Lifestyle Related Conditions also account for over 50% of health care related costs (CDC). Research indicates that early detection and/or practice of health promoting behavior can significantly decrease the severity of Lifestyle Related Conditions (hypertensives can be removed from medication, etc. ) or even prevent their occurrence (cancer, heart disease, etc. ). There are effective programs available that use the latest behavior change techniques that are designed to reduce risks and associated costs for illness, prevent illness, and help individuals develop patterns of behavior that enhance their health. It has also been found that one in every four Americans suffer from have high blood pressure but 35% are undiagnosed (AHA). Undiagnosed individuals sometimes end up in emergency situations or when diagnosed, their illness is at a more costly, critical stage like bone fracture, stroke, heart attack, late stage cancer, blindness, and so on. 50% of men and 33% of women are going to get cancer in their lifetime; and 2/3rds of the time it could have been prevented. Research indicates that approximately 13% of women and 9% of men fail to get the care they need.