Table of Contents
Purpose of the Guide
DPA Wellness Pilot Project
California Wellness Information Network
Joint Labor/Management Health Benefits Cost Containment Committee
Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Executive Order
Statewide Wellness Committee
Wellness Model Project - California WorksWell
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BENEFITS OF A WORK SITE HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAM
Work site health promotion programs focused on prevention and interventions that reduce employees' health risk factors can result in benefits for both the employee and the employer. There is scientific evidence that a correlation exists between an individual's unhealthy lifestyle and injury, disability and certain chronic illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension, strokes and premature mortality. Some health risk factors that are the precursors to disease and disability include:
- smoking cigarettes,
- being overweight, lack of exercise,
- eating a diet high in saturated fats,
- responding inappropriately to stress situations, and ,
- chemical dependencies.
The U.S. Public Health Service recently issued a report titled "Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General" which provides a comprehensive review of the available scientific evidence about the relationship between physical activity and an individual's health status. The report shows that over 60% of Americans are not regularly active and 25% are not active at all. There is very strong evidence linking physical activity to numerous health improvements. Regular physical activity can lead to improved health and a better quality of life by:
- reducing the risk of dying from coronary heart disease,
- reducing the risk of developing diabetes, hypertension and colon cancer,
- helping to control weight, and
- enhancing mental health by reducing feelings of depression and anxiety.
While unhealthy behavior and lifestyle can greatly affect an individual's health, it can also directly impact the employer's workers' compensation and health care costs. Indirect costs associated with employee's unhealthy lifestyles include:
- decreased productivity,
- work related injuries,
- excessive sick leave usage and
- increased absenteeism.
There is significant evidence that shows substantial long-term savings to the employer when employees are given an opportunity to take a personal interest in their own health and an active role in health promotion activities. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States each year. To increase and promote physical activity, educating employees in effective ways to reduce risk factors for chronic heart disease could result in a substantial saving in health care costs.
Encouraging Employee Heart Health Promotes Wellness and Cuts Costs
If the State of California reflects the national average, one out of four of our employees suffers from some form of cardiovascular disease. Last year alone, heart disease accounted for more than $137 billion in national medical costs and lost productivity. By providing wellness activities, we can help reduce our employees' risk for heart disease, increase productivity and morale, and reduce health insurance costs.
Controlling risk factors adds up to better productivity
Studies show that for every dollar spent on a preventive health program, a company can save as much as $6 in insurance costs. In Canada, a program promoting physical activity in a selected work site was evaluated after 12 years of operation. For each worker, the intervention program saved $679 in medical claims per year, a return of $6.85 on each dollar invested.
Studies by the University of Michigan and Johnson & Johnson show that employers can save :
- $1,100 a year for every employee who kicks the smoking habit,
- $269 a year for every employee who progresses from couch potato to fitness enthusiast;
- $1,200 a year on employees who reduce their cholesterol levels from 240 milligrams to 190 milligrams, and
- $177 a year for every employee who goes from obesity (more than 30 pounds overweight) to a healthy weight.
According to separate studies by the University of Michigan and Steelcase, employers can reduce costs for serious illnesses, such as heart disease, by identifying high-risk employees and encouraging them to change their behaviors. Most wellness experts agree that a work site health promotion program is the best way to achieve this goal.
Health Promotion Success Stories
| COMPANY | PROGRAM | MONEY SAVED |
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 | State-of-the-art health clubs | $282.00 for each employee enrolled |
 | Health risk appraisals promoting life stype changes | $3.6 million dollars per year |
 | Health risk appraisals promoting life stype changes | $20 million dollars over ten years (estimated) |
 | Health risk appraisals promoting life stype changes | $13 million dollars per year |
Based upon the positive results of these and other employers' work site health promotion programs, the Committee expects that the implementation of work site health promotion programs within State agencies will lead to the following: a healthier work force, a higher quality work product, improved employee morale, reduced sick leave usage and absenteeism and lower health care and workers' compensation costs.
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Policy