Do you know the benefits of implementing a worksite wellness program for your employees?

Reason #1: Reduction in Health Care Costs

Providing employee's health care coverage is expensive. The average health care costs per person equal $3000 annually and ~$225,000 in lifetime health care expenses. These costs are frequently linked to lifestyle choices. If employers implement a worksite wellness program that promotes healthy lifestyle changes, employers take aggressive action to reduce health care costs. According to expert Dr. Steve Aldana, the combination of poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity contributes 35-40% of an employer’s total health care costs.

Reason #2: Reduced Sick Leave Use

Most illnesses are preventable. These preventable illnesses are linked to ~70% of healthcare costs. A worksite wellness program allows employers to reduce many factors – tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyles, and poor nutritional habits – that contribute to preventable illness. This means fewer employee sick days and increased on the job productivity.

Reason #3: Longer Work Week

The average American is now working 47 hours each week. This increases the number of threats facing employee's related to health and well-being. These threats can be reduced through worksite wellness programs.

Reason #4: Increased Technology

More technology equals new health concerns – repetitive stress injuries, lower back problems, vision issues, reduced physical activity (more desk time), etc. Effective worksite wellness programs will alleviate some of these new concerns.

Reason #5: Decreased Stress Levels

Technology is booming and along with it, information. Employees are suffering from information overload. When coping strategies are not provided, companies face increased on the job accidents, reduced employee productivity, unnecessary absenteeism, and increased health care costs. Worksite wellness programs will reduce and even eliminate stress related work situations.

Reason #6: Workforce Diversification

Health problems and costs are influenced by sex and race. As the workforce becomes more diverse employee needs change. These changing needs can be counteracted by a supportive and individualized worksite wellness plan that addresses a variety of health issues.

Return on Investment in Worksite Wellness

• Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine and Boston University School of Public Health have found employer-sponsored, internet-based diet and exercise programs to be an effective low-cost benefit that will lower healthcare costs for high-risk employees with cardiac risk factors, such as hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Healthcare cost annual reduction of $827 per particpant. Learn more about this study here.



• Published studies have found that for every $1 invested in worksite wellness you save $3.48 in healthcare costs. Also, for every $1 spent you save $5.82 in reduced absenteeism.



• According to the Surgeon General, preventing chronic disease is cost effective. For every $1 spent on healthcare, 75 cents is to treat chronic disease.



• Study results of the Georgia Stroke and Heart Attack Prevention Program showed that every $1 spent on prevention equaled a $9 savings.



• The Health Partners Research Foundation found that by implementing 90 minutes of physical activity each week for sedentary adults over the age of 50, medical costs decreased an average of $2000 the following year.

Worksite Wellness Program Options

The Heart of Health

Bi-weekly free heart health and weight loss tips delivered to your employees email along with two free ecourses - How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps and 7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure.

Heart Health Made Easy: Master the Basics to Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol for a Longer, Healthier Life

Easy to understand, practical take action guide and workbook takes employees step by step to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Especially useful for employees newly diagnosed with high cholesterol and/or blood pressure and want everything they need to know in one convenient easy to follow guide.

Heart Health Made Easy: 6 Months to Heart Health Success

Long term one-on-one support and guidance providing in-depth education, feedback, and assessments to achieve health goals. Program customized to employee needs and provides detailed diet assessments, meal plans, direct email access, progress tracking, heart healthy recipes, and a take action plan to keep employees on track.

NewU - Your Weight, Your Health, Your Choice: Support Group with Expert Guidance

Being overweight increases heart disease risk 45% which is why employees can utitilize NewU, as weight loss support group, to receive expert guidance, support, and encouragement as they move towards their weight loss goals.

Programs and pricing adjusted depending on company size and needs.

For more details and to establish a worksite wellness program for your company, contact Lisa Nelson at rd@lisanelsonrd.com or 406-600-7783.