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Workplace Wellness

Wellness in the Workplace-Would You Participate?

According to Pelletier and Golaszewski, preventive and positive measures designed to prevent disease are big business. There are over 120 studies documenting the positive effects of health promotion on overall employee health and productivity, overall health costs, and return on investments. (Pelletier and Gozaszewski, November 2004).
Wellness is defined as "enabling individuals to increase control over and improve their health." (Center for Prevention and Health Services Issue Brief) In the workplace, there are many programs that offer the employee assistance in lifestyle changes such as weight management, smoking cessation, and disease management. Today, more than 80% of U.S. businesses with 50 or more employees have some form of a health promotion program. (Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) - December 2001). Focusing on wellness can produce reductions in the costs associated with health care.
Historically, the term "wellness" has been associated with alternative medicines. Today, however, wellness is the latest trend. Hospitals are upgrading their facilities with fewer beds, and more outpatient services. Health insurance plans are promoting wellness; in fact many are reimbursing members for gym memberships. Additionally, employers are encouraging workers to become more proactive in their own care.
The factors that have ignited the wellness movement are primarily the development of managed care, which has focused on the reduction of hospital stays, advances in technology have enabled studies to be performed on an outpatient basis, and healthcare consumers are becoming more educated. Access to information via the internet has empowered the consumer to search for information and make informed decisions in regard to their care.
The corporate world has not ignored the wellness movement. In fact, many Fortune 500 companies have been promoting wellness. According...