Posted by Corporate Wellness | Posted in Corporate Wellness, Wellness Programs | Posted on 17-02-2011
Five reasons to have a wellness program
1 The U.S. spends more dollars on healthcare than any other nation yet we are not the world’s healthiest
o Largely sedentary
o Use of tobacco is still popular
o Stress is at epidemic levels (WHO)
o Alcohol continues to take its toll on Americans
2 Much of the illness in the United States is preventable
o Tobacco and alcohol are leading causes of death
o As much as 70 percent of the cost of health care is driven by avoidable illness
3 Health Care costs continue to rise
o Healthcare premiums continue to rise and to be passed on to the employee
o Health Care cost are usually the number one benefit cost to most companys
4 The workplace is an ideal establishing to address health and well being
o Most American Citizens work
o Poor health habits take a toll on American business
o Corporations have a vested interest in health related issues.
5 Research validates that health promotion programs can improve health, save money, and even produce a Return On Investment (ROI).
o Aldana,S.G. (1998). Financial impact of corporate health promotion and methodological quality of the evidence. The Art of Wellness. Vol 2, Number 1.
o Wilson, M.G. (1996). A extensive review of the effects of employee wellness on health related outcomes – an update. The American Journal of wellness. Vol 10, Number 6.
o Wilson, M.G. (1996). A comprehensive review of the effects of corporate health promotion on health related outcomes – an update. The American Journal of wellness. Vol 11, Number 2.
o Chapman, L.S. Proof Positive – an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of corporate health promotion. 3rd ed. Seattle – Summex Company, 1996.
o Pelletier, K.R. A review of the health and cost-effective outcomes studies of comprehensive wellness and illness avoidance programs at the worksite – 1993-1995 Update. The American Journal of Health and Promotion. Vol. 10, Number 5.
Key Components of a Wellness Program
Physical Wellness – Focuses on the development, maintenance, or betterment of one’s fitness
Sample Physical Wellness Programs / Workshops
o Annual medical screening
o Regular physical activity
o Good safety habits
Emotional Wellness – Focuses on all aspects of mental fitness
Sample Emotional Health Promotion Programs / Seminars
o Stress management workshops
o Dealing with aging
o Addictive behaviors
o Parenting
Financial Wellness – Focuses on improving the quality of life of staff by assisting families and individuals in becoming financially stable
Sample Financial Health Promotion Programs / Workshops
o Financial management
o Savings and Investing
o Credit and Purchasing
o Insurance and Estate Planning
Spiritual Wellness – Focuses on promoting a healthy inner self
Sample Spiritual Health Promotion Programs / Seminars
o Be certain to encourage daily devotional readings
o Give regular service opportunities
o Give a daily/weekly/monthly chapel (meditation) time during work hours
Nutritional Wellness – Will meet the needs of the personnel through group and individual nutritional services
Sample Nutritional Health Promotion Programs / Seminars
o Individual nutritional Assessment
o Individual and group counseling
o Educational classes
o Weight loss health promotion programs