How do I start a health and wellness program?

The workplace is an ideal environment in which to build a culture of health and wellbeing.  Helping your employees adopt healthier lifestyles could have a dramatic effect on your business – 50% to 70% of illnesses can be prevented by healthy behavioral changes.  Wellness has the potential to boost productivity, driving a three to one return on investment (ROI) over time.  CDHP members have a strong financial incentive to participate in health and wellness initiatives.  The healthier the individual, the less likely he or she is to incur unnecessary medical expenses.    There is a cumulative effect to consider, as well, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that wellness is an outcome that is meaningful to not only the individual but to the public as well.

Much has been written about the success in implementing corporate health and wellness programs. In 2014, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association discovered that CDHP members were more likely to be engaged in wellness initiatives. Based on their internal calculations, the association concluded that:

43%

participated in health screening

(vs. 30% of those in traditional health plans)

25%

participated in an exercise program

(vs. 14% of those in traditional health plans)

21%

participated in a nutrition/diet program

(vs. 15% of those in traditional health plans)

13%

used health coaching

(vs. 7% of those in traditional health plans)

Making the case for building a culture of health and wellness should include tracking progress (both short-term and long-term results), so you’ll always have information to support your pro- gram. How do you measure the success of a health and wellness program? Establish a budget and identify performance expectations to measure your program’s effectiveness. Consider your company’s vision, financial strength, and strategic priorities so you can explain how building a culture of health and wellness can advance the company’s goals. To demonstrate total value, track ROI and routinely share information on performance with all interested parties. Specific data points can include retention, morale, and healthcare cost containment. Determine attainable participation levels for activities and establish increasing goals to maintain involvement as your program matures.

Coaches' Takeaway

The workplace is an ideal environment in which to build a culture of health and wellbeing when paired with a CDHP.

Tools & Resources

CDHPCoach’s Storage Facility, where the Coach has organized and compiled a vast amount of tools and resources for you to access.

Library

Housed here are key components and information within the book, Bend the Healthcare Trend which was the impetus behind the CDHPCoach.