| Employers increasingly are realizing the value that | | | | the wellness program. |
| worksite wellness programs deliver as an | | | | Legislative incentives |
| effective tool to improve employee health, | | | | Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) has been an outspoken |
| increase productivity, reduce absenteeism and | | | | proponent in seeking legislative solutions for a |
| lower health care costs. | | | | strained health care system. |
| A 2003 report published by the U.S. Department | | | | "As a nation, we have a 'sick care' system that is |
| of Health and Human Services (HHS) highlighted | | | | focused on helping people after they get sick, |
| how important it is for employers to incorporate | | | | rather than a 'health care' system which focuses |
| health promotion as part of their business | | | | on keeping healthy people healthy," he says. |
| strategy. The report asserts that | | | | Harkin introduced the Healthy Lifestyle and |
| preventablediseases place a heavy toll on | | | | Prevention (HeLP) America Act of 2004. One of |
| business, including lower productivity and higher | | | | the initiatives under Title II - Healthier |
| health insurance costs. | | | | Communities and Workplaces, provides tax |
| The HHS estimates that $1.66 trillion was spent | | | | credits to businesses that offer comprehensive |
| on health care in 2003. and it attributes a majority | | | | programs to promote employee health and grants |
| of those costs to chronic diseases and conditions | | | | for small business. |
| such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and | | | | Worksite wellness, getting started |
| asthma. Sadly, the money allocated for preventing | | | | Implementing a worksite wellness program with |
| or controlling these conditions is negligible. | | | | your health insurance carrier can be accomplished |
| In a recent article, American Cancer Society CEO | | | | with simple, low-cost strategies. |
| John Seffrin reported two thirds of cancer deaths | | | | Offer incentives for participation. |
| in the United States could be prevented through | | | | Create a wellness campaign. |
| lifestyle changes in diet, exercise, cancer screening | | | | Schedule seminars on nutrition, diabetes and |
| and "especially" tobacco use. A well-designed | | | | cholesterol. |
| worksite wellness program, provided by your | | | | Establish programs such as fitness, sleep diary, |
| health benefits company, serves the best | | | | smoking cessation and injury prevention. |
| interests of both employer and employee. | | | | Offer chair massages or simple stretching |
| Bottom line return on investment | | | | exercises to do at the desk. |
| Ron Goetzel, a nationally recognized expert in the | | | | Change vending machine options to offer |
| field of health management, data analysis and | | | | healthier, low-fat snacks and drinks. |
| applied research, said in a recent interview that | | | | Work with a health insurance carrier that can |
| with an investment of $100 to $150 per | | | | implement, manage and maintain your program. |
| employee per year in health promotion, an | | | | Actively promote employee participation. |
| employer can expect an average return on | | | | A successful worksite wellness program can |
| investment of approximately $3 for every | | | | boost company morale, enhance productivity, |
| $1invested ($300 to $450 savings per employee | | | | reduce organizational conflict, attract superior |
| per year). | | | | workers and lower the rate of employee |
| Goetzel says, however, that these returns are | | | | turnover. The case for establishing a worksite |
| not typically realized until two to three years into | | | | wellness program is well worth the effort. |