Wellness Services
- E-Health Online Wellness Tools
- Turn-Key Health Screening Fair
- Wellness Rewards Program
- Wellness Program Management
Why Invest in a Wellness Program?
Chronic illness, including heart disease, diabetes and obesity, accounts for 75% of health costs, according to the American Public Health Association.65% of the US population are overweight, and over 33% are literally considered clinically obese, which constitutes over 90 million Americans. This is a 7-10% increase in less than 5 years.
According to the National Health Care Statistics, the typical American diet is responsible for most of the preventable diseases, including 91% of diabetes, 82% of heart disease, and 71% of colon cancer. Only 15% of adults engage in regular vigorous physical activity, and 60% report getting essentially no exercise whatsoever from a regular leisure activity.
Cancer is now the leading cause of death for those under the age of 85, and continues to have close ties to smoking, yet 22% of Americans continue to smoke. Only one in twenty adults consistently engage in the five most important health behaviors:
- Regular Exercise
- Healthy Levels and Types of Fat Intake
- Five Daily Servings of Fruits and Veggies
- Moderate Drinking
- Non-Smoking
According to the Wall Street Journal, Healthcare costs per capita will reach $7,500 this year, more than double the $3,470 per person in 1993.In 2005, the total cost of providing U.S. employees health benefits exceeded profits for the Fortune 500 corporations. The annual change in health insurance premiums continue to grow at an incredible 8-14%. The Centers for Disease Control reports that 75% of health care spending pays for illnesses that are preventable.
Data from 2005 shows that the obese worker costs a company an extra $1,809 each year in healthcare costs and absenteeism. This does not include indirect costs involved.
*In a related article, the front page of the USA Today reported an expected trend between obesity and disability claims.
Translation
Employers are at a crossroad. With the costs of healthcare expenditures increasing at a rate of 8-14% annually, this expenditure literally threatens the profitability and survival of companies of all sizes. Both privately held and Fortune 500 companies are realizing the health benefits are not only one of the single largest line items in their P&L, but are growing at a rate that is clearly not sustainable.
- U.S. Corporate Wellness
Finally, Some Good News!
There is compelling evidence that a sizeable portion of the billions of dollars currently spent by employers on health-related costs is preventable by means of health promotion programming. Well planned, comprehensive health promotion programs have been shown to be cost effective, especially when the health promotion programming is matched to the health problems of the specific employee population.
Statistically, the results of a commitment to an employee wellness program speak for themselves:
- Reduction in healthcare costs by 20-55%
- A savings of between $3 to $6 for every $1 invested in wellness (U.S CDC)
- Decrease in short-term sick leave by as much as 32% (Ceridian Prop Tool, 2003)
- Drop in work comp and disability by as much 30%
© Copyright 2011 1st Choice Administrators.