Health and Wellness Leads : Building a Worksite Health Promotion Program

5 reasons to have a wellness program

1.   The United States spends more dollars on health care than any other nation yet we are not the world’s healthiest
   • Largely sedentary
   • Tobacco use is still popular
   • Stress is at epidemic levels (WHO)
   • Alcohol continues to take its toll on Americans

2.   Much of the illness in The U.S. is avoidable
   • Tobacco and alcohol are leading causes of death
   • As much as 70 percent of the expense of medical care is driven by avoidable illness

3.   Health Care expenditures continue to rise
   • Healthcare premiums continue to rise and to be passed on to the employee
   • Health Care expenditures are usually the number one benefit cost to most employers

4.   The workplace is an ideal setting to address health and well being
   • Most American citizens work
   • Poor health habits take a toll on U.S. Organizations
   • Employers have a vested interest in health related concerns.

5.   Research validates that Workplace Health Promotion Programs can better health, save money, and even produce a return on investment.
   • Aldana,S.G. (1998). Financial impact of Worksite Health Promotion Programs and methodological quality of the evidence. The Art of Health Promotion. Vol 2, Number 1.
   • Wilson, M.G. (1996). A all-inclusive review of the effects of Worksite Health Promotion Programs on health related outcomes: An update. The American Journal of health promotion. Vol 10, Number 6.
   • Wilson, M.G. (1996). A inclusive review of the effects of Corporate Wellness Programs on health related outcomes: An update. The American Journal of health promotion. Vol 11, Number 2.
   • Chapman, L.S. Proof Positive: An analysis of the cost-effectiveness of workplace wellness. 3rd ed. Seattle: Summex Corporation, 1996.
   • Pelletier, K.R. A review of the health and cost-effective outcomes studies of comprehensive health promotion and disease prevention programs at the worksite: 1993-1995 Update. The American Journal of Health and Promotion. Vol. 10, Number 5.

   
Key Components of a Worksite Wellness Program

Physical Wellness – Focuses on the development, maintenance, or improvement of one’s physical fitness

Sample Physical Corporate Health Promotion Programs / Workshops
• Annual health assessment
• Regular physical activity
• Smart safety habits

Emotional Wellness – Focuses on all aspects of mental fitness

Sample Emotional Workplace Wellness Programs / Workshops
• Stress management classes
• Dealing with aging
• Addictive behaviors
• Parenting

Financial Wellness – Focuses on improving the quality of life of workers by facilitating families and individuals in becoming financially stable

Sample Financial Employee Wellness Programs / Workshops
• Financial management
• Savings and Investing
• Credit and Purchasing
• Insurance and Estate Planning

Spiritual Wellness – Focuses on promoting a healthy inner self

Sample Spiritual Workplace Health Promotion Programs / Workshops
• Promote daily devotional readings
• Provide regular service opportunities
• Provide a daily/weekly/monthly chapel (meditation) time during work hours

Nutritional Wellness – Will see to the needs of the staff members through group and individual nutritional services

Sample Nutritional Employee Health Promotion Programs / Workshops
• Individual nutritional Assessment
• Individual and group counseling
• Educational classes
• Weight loss programs