Selecting the Right Kind of Wellness Program.                  

Research studies show that untargeted health-promotion campaigns have little long-term impact.                  

Chronic diseases, which rob person and families of their health and happiness, represent major costs to companys in the form of health-care and disability costs, lost productivity, and absenteeism.                  

Wellness Programs should address risky behaviors that can help your staff members eat healthier, increase their level of exercise, help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and quit smoking. Wellness programs should focus on helping staff members achieve and maintain their optimal health status.

Comprehensive worksite-health programs focused on changing lifestyle behavior have been proven to yield a $3 to $6 return on investment for each dollar invested. It takes about three to five years after the initial program investment to realize these savings.

Ninety-three percent of U.S.  companies offer some type of health-promotion program for their workers, but is it the right type?

Main Types of Wellness Programs

Programs focusing on illness management. These programs monitor and treat specific diseases. Disease management follows the 80/20 rule –  80 percent of health-care costs are spent on 20 percent of workers.

Illness management is reported to have a $7 to $10 return on investment within a year. the 20 percent of employees requiring the greatest medical expenditures today are usually different 20 percent who will cause the greatest health expenses a year or two down the road.

Programs focusing on health enhancement and risk management. These programs focus on lifestyle behavior change, and offer a $3 to $6 return on investment within two to five years, as reported by a 2004 report issued by the National Business Group on Health.

It is important to note that a $3 to $6 return on an entire worker population produces a higher total savings than does illness management.

Good Data Drives Good Company Decisions

• Based on more than 120 scientific research studies, the National Company Group on Health reported that, within five years of program implementation, overall benefit-to-cost ratios (return on investment) of –

• $3.48 in lowered health-care costs per dollar invested.

• $5.82 in lower absenteeism per dollar invested.