New Survey Shows Increase in Comprehensive Wellness Programs
Corporate wellness programs leaping forward: major new survey from Rush University Medical Center
(CHICAGO) – Organizations in the Chicago area report an increase of health-improvement and wellness programs according to a survey conducted in September 2011 by Aon Hewitt in partnership with Rush Health. The survey results will be released at the 9th annual Employer Symposium at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago on Thursday, March 22.
The symposium is sponsored by Rush Health, not-for-profit organization whose members include Rush University Medical Center, Rush Oak Park Hospital and physicians on the medical staffs of these hospitals. Rush Health acts as a key representative to businesses, their employees and their insurers while developing and providing programs that help to continuously improve the quality of the care for patients.
“The wellness survey showed that employers target lifestyle habits to improve the health of employees,” said Brent Estes, president and CEO, Rush Health. “Keeping people healthy isn’t merely a booming trend; it’s a necessary part of life. It’s important to invest in the health of your employees by helping to identify the current health status and health risks of your workforce. It’s an additional measure that employers can take to help employees remain healthy.”
The findings of the survey showed that a number of Chicago-area employers tie incentives to health screening results and report improved health outcomes. The symposium at Rush will speak to the future of wellness and will focus on strategies and opportunities to improve health outcomes and challenges employers face as incentive-based wellness programs are designed and implemented.
“The overall wellness and health of employees has been an increased focus for many employers,” said Dr. Michael Cryer, national medical director with Aon Hewitt. “Implementing wellness initiatives has the potential to boost productivity and reduce indirect medical costs. Incentives and wellness programs benefit all involved.”
The survey was completed by 361 organizations representing a broad spectrum of industries in the Chicago health care marketplace. While wellness programs vary by organization, the activities identified included risk identification tools such as health risk assessments, questionnaires and screenings for blood-pressure and cholesterol; behavior modification programs that involved coaching, smoking cessation and weight management and nutrition programs; an increase in healthy work environment options that encourage group walking programs and a larger selection of healthy eating options; and program measurement result monitoring to identify participation levels, satisfaction, reductions in risk factors and changes in health behavior.
To read more...
To learn how Preventure can freshen up and invigorate your program, click here.