Employee Wellness Newsletter : Building a Worksite Wellness Program

Five reasons to have a wellness program

1.   The U.S. spends more dollars on healthcare than any other country 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 America is avoidable
   • Tobacco and alcohol are leading causes of death
   • As much as 70% of the cost of medical care is driven by avoidable illness

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

4.   The worksite is an ideal setting to address health and well being
   • Most Americans work
   • Poor health habits take a toll on American Employers
   • Employers have a vested interest in health related issues.

5.   Research validates that Workplace Health Promotion Programs have the potential to better health, save money, and even produce a ROI.
   • Aldana,S.G. (1998). Financial impact of Workplace Wellness 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 Company Wellness Programs on health related outcomes: An update. The American Journal of health promotion. Vol 10, Number 6.
   • Wilson, M.G. (1996). A comprehensive review of the effects of Employee 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 worksite 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 Company Wellness Program

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

Sample Physical Workplace Wellness Programs / Workshops
• Annual health evaluation
• Regular physical exercise
• Smart safety habits

Emotional Wellness – Focuses on all aspects of mental fitness

Sample Emotional Workplace Health Promotion Programs / Workshops
• Stress management courses
• Accepting aging
• Addictive behaviors
• Parenting

Financial Wellness – Focuses on improving the quality of life of employees by assisting families and people in becoming monetarily stable

Sample Financial Company Health Promotion 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 Corporate Health Promotion Programs / Workshops
• Encourage daily devotional readings
• Give regular service opportunities
• Provide a daily/weekly/monthly chapel (meditation) time during work hours

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

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