Boost Wellness, Reduce Health Insurance Costs

by Webmaster

As business leaders know, wellness issues, including the obesity epidemic, are tipping the scales against the bottom line. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 states have an adult obesity rate greater than 30 percent, and rates of obesity among children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 have tripled since 1980.

Across our nation, companies big and small are implementing corporate wellness programs aimed at encouraging good dietary and exercise habits. The goal of course is to benefit employees, reduce health insurance costs and boost the company’s bottom line.

Businesses offer a variety of wellness initiatives, such as health assessments and screenings, weight loss programs and subsidized gym memberships. Team leaders institute healthy meeting guidelines offering nutritious food and beverage options. They also encourage fitness groups that combine business, comradery, exercise and fun.

Inspiration can be found throughout Los Angeles, here are just a few examples:

Google believes that healthy employees are happy employees. The company’s Real Estate and Workplace Services team builds environments that keep employees feeling energized and inspired. L.A. Googlers have access to surfboards and an outdoor climbing wall to stay active. Additionally, one third of employees avoid the stress of driving through L.A. traffic as they commute to work via Google’s WiFi-enabled shuttle service. Read more.

Cedar-Sinai’s Wellness Promotion Council is co-chaired by senior executives and includes representatives from a variety of departments and levels throughout the organization. The council’s various task forces are dedicated to improving nutritional options and promoting physical activity. The company hosts institution-wide wellness challenges, has an outdoor basketball court, offers tai chi at work and health food options in the cafeteria. The company also hosts employee wellness days that boast free workouts, massages, weight, BMI and BMR evaluations, blood pressure measurements, medication advice, spiritual care and stress management options. Check out Cedars-Sinai’s Employee Wellness video and find out why people love taking the stairs.

Aon Hewitt helps its clients target three major modifiable health risks, like obesity, that are directly linked to medical costs. The goal is to save an average of $700 per employee per year in health care costs and productivity improvements. The company has been successful in improving employee health through changes in the workplace environment and the corporate culture by options – like standing work stations, treadmill desks and regular opportunities to stretch throughout the day. Learn about Aon Hewitt’s health and benefits consulting.

Investing in employee wellness will decrease absenteeism, increase productivity and encourage good habits that will transfer to families and communities. The sooner you start, the sooner your bottom line will benefit.

And that's The Business Perspective