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On Dec. 10, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services named Union Pacific Railroad one of eight winners of the department's first Innovations in Prevention Awards, which recognize businesses and organizations that promote healthier lifestyles to workers and implement disease-prevention programs.

Part of President Bush's "Healthier U.S." initiative, the awards are divided into seven categories; UP was honored in the "Healthy Workplace-Large Employer" category.

The department cited UP for continually improving its "Health Track" program, which is designed to identify possible at-risk employees and provide those workers intervention and company-sponsored exercise programs, and general health education and disease-management tips.

The Class I also recently developed a "Health Index" for field personnel, which enables operating units to set measurable health-care goals and create a plan to meet those goals.

By 2005, UP expects to incorporate its health risk-assessment and intervention programs into a consumer-driven plan designed to encourage participants to make better health-care decisions.

"The health and well being of our 47,000 employees is essential to the overall success of our business," said UP Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dick Davidson in a prepared statement.