Introducing Wellness Programs Into The Workplace

Since the early 1960’s the number of sedentary occupations has increased from 50% to 80%. A venue where people could be active during a large portion of their day is no longer functioning as it once had. Workplace wellness programs can counteract these effects. Wellness programs in the workplace have a multitude of benefits including improved health, increased productivity and morale, and decreased absenteeism and presenteeism. The public health benefit of these programs is the prevention and/or reduction of highly disruptive and costly lifestyle-related conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus. Longitudinal studies of 1.5-2.5 million members have shown these programs to improve outcomes including reducing health care costs through reduced utilization and better compliance with chronic disease management.\ud By providing opportunities for improving health, employers may see a flattening or even decreasing trend in medical expenses. The results of this include decreased out of pocket health spending for employees and reduced insurance premiums for employers for their insurance rates, and health insurance providers.\ud This essay provides insight on the importance of workplace wellness programs. Also addressed in the essay are suggestions for how an employer or organization can begin to incorporate a wellness program where one did not previously exist. Various options are available and some are even free of charge to anyone who chooses to take advantage of the opportunity.\u