Health Promotion That Saves People and the Planet and an Interview With Dr Sara Singer

Abstract

Recently the Business Roundtable released a “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation” which pronounced that alongside increasing shareholder value, businesses need to play a role in environmental and consumer protection. These stated “commitments” signed by 181 CEOs of leading companies include “supporting the communities in which we work,” “investing in our employees,” and “embracing sustainable practices.” Skeptics will take a wait and see attitude about these business leaders’ words and await more deeds, but others view this as an affirmation of an employer leadership philosophy that many have been championing for decades. For example, the book Building a Culture of Health: A New Imperative for Business examined the interface of social and business trends and argues that 4 pillars are needed if business is to accrue the advantages of leading with a culture of health. These pillars are community, consumer, employee, and environmental health. This editorial summarizes current initiatives and studies relating to these pillars and the Business Roundtable’s commitments and includes an interview with Dr Sara Singer. Singer is an organizational development expert, business scholar, and coinvestigator of a national study that examines business engagement in the 4 pillars and sets a baseline for how involved businesses are in addressing social and health issues.