2020 Employer Physical

Activity Profile

The CDC ScoreCard is a tool to help 

employers assess whether their health 

promotion programs are based on the 

best evidence for improving employees’ 

health and wellness. 

https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/initiatives/

healthscorecard/index.html

How Are Employers Doing in Promoting Physical Activity?

62%of employers have a comprehensive 

workplace physical activity programa

 including 

policies and environmental support strategies.

82%of employers have an environmental 

support strategy (e.g., on-site fitness facility 

or walking trail) as part of their worksite 

physical activity program.

15%of employers work with YMCAs 

to provide health-related information, 

programs, and resources to employees.

Average employer has 6 of 10(60%)

Physical Activity ScoreCard strategies in place.

1

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition.

 Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2018. 

a

Comprehensive programs refer to a coordinated set of strategies that include programs, policies, benefits,

 environmental supports, and links to the surrounding community and are designed to meet the health

 and safety needs of all employees. The 2020 CDC ScoreCard physical activity module does not include any

 questions related to benefits. 

According to the 2018 Physical 

Activity Guidelines for Americans, 

2nd edition, each week adults 

need at least 150 minutes 

(2 hours and 30 minutes) of 

moderate-intensity physical 

activity or 75 minutes (1 hour 

and 15 minutes) of vigorous 

physical activity, or an equivalent 

combination of moderate- and 

vigorous-intensity activity for 

substantial health benefits.1

What Evidence-Based Practices Does the ScoreCard Assess?

PROGRAMS

Opportunities to 

begin, change, 

or maintain 

health behaviors

POLICIES

Formal or informal 

statements to 

protect or 

promote health

ENVIRONMENTAL 

SUPPORTS

Physical factors 

at work that 

help protect and 

enhance health

BENEFITS

Overall 

compensation, 

including health 

insurance

CS324630-F

CDC WORKSITE

HEALTH SCORECARD
PHYSICAL 

ACTIVITY 

SCORECARD 

STRATEGIES

STRATEGYb

b

Evidence-based practices (i.e., programs, policies, environmental supports, and benefits) in the CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard have a weighted score from 1 to 3 points. The score is derived from

 the strategy’s impact on population health outcomes and the strength of the supporting scientific evidence.

c

Percentages are based on 480 ScoreCard submissions in 2020.

PERCENTAGE OF 

WORKSITESC WITH 

STRATEGY IN PLACE

(2020 SCORE)

83%

Provide educational materials that 

address the benefits of physical activity

75%

Provide or promote other environmental 

supports for recreation or physical activity

64% Subsidize or discount the cost of on-site 

or off-site exercise facilities

76%

Provide and promote interactive educational 

programming on physical activity, such as a 

series of educational seminars, workshops, 

or classes on physical activity

67%

Provide and promote free or subsidized lifestyle 

coaching, counseling, or self-management 

programs that equip employees with skills 

and motivation to set and meet their 

personal physical activity goals

71%

Provide and promote organized physical 

activity programs for employees other 

than the use of an exercise facility

Provide an exercise facility on-site 43%

40% Encourage stair use by posting signs and 

making stairwells more inviting to use

56% Promote the use of activity trackers to 

support physical activity

37%

Encourage active transportation 

to and from work