Wellness Plans : Designing a Health Promotion Program.

Five reasons to have a health promotion program

1   The U.S. spends more dollars on health care than any other nation yet we are not the world’s healthiest

• Largely sedentary   

• Smoking is still popular   

• Stress is at epidemic levels (WHO)   

• Alcohol continues to take its toll on Americans   

2   Much of the illness in the USA is preventable

• Tobacco and alcohol are leading causes of death   

• As much as 70 percent of the cost of health care is driven by avoidable illness   

3   Health Care costs continue to rise

• Healthcare premiums continue to rise and to be passed on to the employee   

• Health Care cost are normally the number one benefit cost to most employers    

4   The worksite is an ideal establishing to address health and well being

• Most American Citizens work   

• Poor health habits take a toll on American business   

• Companys have a vested interest in health related issues.   

5   Research validates that wellness programs can improve health, save money, and even produce a Return On Investment (ROI).

• Aldana,S.G. (1998). Financial impact of corporate wellness and methodological quality of the evidence.  The Art of Wellness. Vol 2, Number 1.   

• Wilson, M.G. (1996). A extensive review of the effects of company health promotion on health related outcomes –  an update.  The American Journal of wellness. Vol 10, Number 6.   

• Wilson, M.G. (1996). A comprehensive review of the effects of company wellness on health related outcomes –  an update.  The American Journal of wellness. Vol 11, Number 2.   

• Chapman, L.S. Proof Positive –  an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of employee health promotion. 3rd ed. Seattle –  Summex Corporation, 1996.   

• Pelletier, K.R. A review of the health and cost-effective outcomes studies of comprehensive wellness and illness avoidance programs at the workplace –  1993-1995 Update.  The American Journal of Health and Promotion. Vol. 10, Number 5.   

Key Components of a Wellness Program

Physical Wellness – Focuses on the development, maintenance, or betterment of one’s physical fitness

Sample Physical Health Promotion Programs / Seminars

• Annual medical testing

• Regular physical activity

• Good safety habits

Emotional Health Promotion – Focuses on all aspects of mental fitness

Sample Emotional Health Promotion Programs / Workshops

• Stress management workshops

• Dealing with aging

• Addictive behaviors

• Parenting

Financial Health Promotion – Focuses on improving the quality of life of staff by assisting families and individuals in becoming financially stable

Sample Financial Wellness Programs / Workshops

• Financial management

• Savings and Investing

• Credit and Purchasing

• Insurance and Estate Planning

Spiritual Wellness – Focuses on promoting a healthy inner self

Sample Spiritual Health Promotion Programs / Workshops

• Be certain to encourage daily devotional readings

• Give regular service opportunities

• Provide a daily/weekly/monthly chapel (meditation) time during work hours

Nutritional Wellness – Will meet the needs of the employees through group and individual nutritional services

Sample Nutritional Health Promotion Programs / Workshops

• Individual nutritional Assessment

• Individual and group counseling

• Educational classes

• Weight loss health promotion programs