Workplace Health Promotion Program Tends
Organizations are no longer able to trim extra savings out of their medical insurance programs, and most businesses have been cost shifting, asking staff members to cover more of their health care costs. Health insurance costs continue to climb (10% or more per year) at 2-3 times the general inflation rate. With nowhere else to turn, companies are – more than ever – looking to get staff members engaged in Workplace Health Promotion Programs as a means of slowing health care costs and improving productivity.
For example, last year 53% of large companies offered health risk assessments (HRAs) for their staff, up from 35% just two years earlier, according to a Mercer survey. Change is being driven by cost, but Workplace Health Promotion Programs a win-win solution for both companies and staff members.
Here are other Workplace Health Promotion Program trends organizations are implementing:
More businesses are integrating Workplace Health Promotion Programs into their benefits plans. If they want the best plans or the lowest personal costs, they need to participate in the Workplace Health Promotion Program and meeting minimum goals.
More businesses are offering worksite weight loss programs as part of the Workplace Health Promotion Program, especially after Duke University’s new research showing the high cost of overweight staff members and increased cost for worker’s compensation for sedentary and overweight staff members.
Organizations are offering more Workplace Health Promotion Programs designed to assist staff members with chronic health conditions: health coaches, nurse advice lines, telephone counseling, and self-study guides
Organizations are providing more internet-based Workplace Health Promotion Program interventions and health information resources
More businesses are providing regular worksite employee health screenings including cholesterol, glucose, A1c, blood pressure, weigh-ins, and other checks as a part of their Workplace Health Promotion Program. Some Workplace Health Promotion Programs even include bone-density checks and skin cancer screenings.
Many businesses are providing fitness programs, either in the community or worksite, as a part of their Workplace Health Promotion Program.
Corporations are providing more prizes, rewards, and incentives getting engaged in Workplace Health Promotion Program activities
Some businesses are adding emphasis to health maintenance. It’s one thing to lose weight or stop smoking; it’s another to maintain these changes. Helping staff members stay engaged and maintain their health changes is important for long-term success.
Organizations are putting more emphasis on keeping healthy people healthy rather than just working primarily with high-risk individuals. Research shows this approach results in a greater Workplace Health Promotion Program ROI.
Wellness businesses are providing great resources for corporations’ staff members over the Internet – online wellness centers, monthly health and wellness newsetters, wellness challenges, internet-based points tracking systems, virtual fitness programs, internet-based wellness coaching or interventions, interactive health calculators, healthy recipes, even downloadable health tips for your iPod.
Organizations who are becoming more proactive are making a big impact on their future health care expenses and productivity. Ohio State University announced that they expect to save $30 million dollars with their comprehensive Workplace Health Promotion Program over the next 5 years!
Workplace Health Promotion Programs and prevention are sound ideas whose time has come. Health promotion is more fun and less expensive than treating disease.
References: TIME in partnership with CNN, “Businesses Help Workers Lose Weight.” Website accessed July 2007.
