Corporate Wellness Program
With health care costs continuing to rise at alarming rates, it is more important than ever to keep your employees healthy. There are many benefits to corporate wellness programs including: employees tend to be more productive, have lower health care costs, lower rates of absenteeism, and fewer workers’ compensation claims. Because of the many benefits of corporate wellness programs most companies view wellness programs as an investment in their most valuable asset, their employees.
- The total cost of obesity to U.S. employers is $13 billion per year1
- Sixty percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, a 74% increase in prevalene since 1991. Being overweight or obese makes people much more likely to develop a variety of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. 2 out of 3 people are overweight with 1 out of 3 are obese. The prevalence of obese children is on the rise, currently 15% of children are considered overweight or obese. Less than 15% of Americans eat the daily recommended number of fruits and vegetables, and less than 25% get the recommended amounts of exercise. The consequences are numerous. Inactive lifestyles and poor eating habits are much of the reason our national cost of health care now exceeds two trillion dollars. These medical costs directly affect you as an employer and a taxpayer.
- Obese Americans spend about 36% more on health services and 77% more on medications than people of healthy weight. That’s more than heavy smokers or heavy drinkers2
- Workplace alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use costs over $100 billion each year3
- Job stress is estimated to cost $200 to $300 billion annually in absenteeism, tardiness, and lost productivity4
- Workers’ compensation costs for a smoker averages $2,189 compared to only $176 for a nonsmoker5
The workplace is an ideal setting to address these health issues and promote healthier lifestyles. At the workplace, individuals can obtain health-related information, take part in health screenings and preventive services, and gain the social support often needed for health behavior change.
Best of all, the return-on-investment (ROI) for corporate wellness programs have been well documented over the past two decades. Year-round comprehensive corporate wellness programs have shown savings-to-cost ratios of over $3 saved for each $1 invested. Documented savings are observed in medical costs, absenteeism, worker’s compensation costs, short-term disability, and increased productivity and presenters (how productive the employee is during time on the job).
Corporate Wellness Programs are a worthwhile long-term strategy to improving the health and well-being of your employees.
With Stac Fitness you get corporate wellness programs aimed at reducing the burden of obesity. These include such things as printed materials, display boards, wellness workshops, and comprehensive exercise programs to help you continue the fight against obesity.
Footnotes
- Cost Benefit Analysis and Report 1979-2001, Univ. of Michigan Health Management Research Center
- Rand Corporation, 2004
- Six Reasons Why Health Promotion Makes Sense, Welcoa, 2002
- Six Reasons Why Health Promotion Makes Sense, Welcoa, 2002
- July 2001, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine