Health, Wellness Programs Allow Employers To Address Employee Misperceptions
Many employees report they are in “very good” or “excellent” health, even though they fail to reach even minimum levels of physical activity and nutritional recommendations, a recent poll reveals. According to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s (BCBSA) Employee Engagement Poll, nearly half of employees (44%) considered themselves to be in above-average health, yet only one-fifth followed the minimum standards for healthy diet, including one daily serving of whole grain and fruit. In addition, only half of employees engage in minimal physical activity such as walking or gardening for ten minutes on at least four days per week.
Although many consumers reported that they understand basic health and wellness messages that good diet and exercise are important, the great majority are unable to answer specific questions about how variables such as body weight, cholesterol, or blood pressure may affect quality of life, the poll discovered. The survey, conducted by Knowledge Works, included 3,063 adult workers ages 18 to 60.
The poll also found that 67% of employees who do not have access to health and wellness programs at work would like their employers to offer them, and among all employees, 54% would appreciate getting more health and wellness assistance from their employers. In companies that sponsor health and wellness programs, employees report healthy behaviors, including more physical activity, healthier diet, and obtaining recommended screenings. These employees also report higher productivity and are much more likely, on average (64%), to believe that their employer cares about their health.
To determine the most effective ways to communicate and conduct workplace health “engagement” programs, the BCBSA, in collaboration with six national employers, has introduced the Engaging Consumers@Work pilot program. The program consists of three components—education, activation, and research—and provides materials in the workplace encouraging employees to increase physical activity, improve their diet, and elect generic drugs when possible. Also available is a walking program, including tracking the participant’s progress with a pedometer, weekly e-mail reminders, walking competitions, and a nutrition guide.
The Harvard Medical School Department of Health Care will evaluate the program and report its findings in mid-2007. The six companies with 15,000 employees involved in the pilot are AutoZone, CVS, Lozier, Staples, Vetter Health Services, and Visant Corporation. The BCBS plans are in Illinois, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and New York.
Information about the National Employee Engagement Poll is available at the employer section of http://www.bcbs.com/blueworks.
Reprinted with permission. © CCH
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<p>Many employees report they are in “very good” or “excellent” health, even though they fail to reach even minimum levels of physical activity and nutritional recommendations, a recent poll reveals.</p>
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