The Gateway to Health Challenge and Dragon Boat Festival were created by CEO members consisting of health care professionals, community leaders, members of the business community. Many individuals, companies, and organizations have come together to provide expertise and support for this project.

Participating companies receive materials for 25 individuals who wish to take part in the Challenge and a dragon boat team entry for the June 7th race. Company teams are split up into teams of two or more people who will work together to earn points in the competition.

Each participant of the Challenge receives access to an interactive website that guides them through making lifestyle changes in three areas: eating healthy, increasing physical activity, and smoking cessation. Participants can choose to work on one, two or all three modules for lifestyle improvement. Each module has a "workbook" section where participants can securly record their progress each week. Particpants have the ability to print all modules and workbooks from the website or they can request a notebook from CEO.

Each week and each section of the workbook is worth 100 points. Total scores for the week are an average of each of these areas. For example, if a participant scores a 90 in smoking cessation, an 80 for physical activity, and 100 for weight management, the total score for the week would be 90.

Teams will also have their scores averaged per person, so teams of two, three, or four can compete evenly. If a team of three people has average weekly scores of 90, 95 and 100, the team's score for the week will be 95. If that team is competing against another team of two people who earned 90 and 100 points, their average will also be used for the team score: 95.

For more information about the Gateway to Health Challenge, visit www.ceogatewaytohealth.org.