This RWJF-supported report by Trust for America's Health (TFAH) features six examples of places around the country that have recognized how a community’s health affects its ability to attract and retain employers, and how many businesses and organizations understand the value of workplace and community wellness programs for improving productivity and reducing health spending.
Employers are finding that workplace wellness programs can make sense for the health of employees – and for the bottom line. At the same time, there is debate over how best to structure wellness programs. Should programs offer “carrots”— financial rewards for participating in wellness programs? Should they come with “sticks,” or penalties for not participating in them? This brief explains trends in wellness programs, details changes in the law starting in 2014, and highlights issues to watch.
Food and beverage companies with a higher percentage of their sales coming from better-for-you (BFY) foods and beverages perform better financially, according to a report produced by the Hudson Institute with funding from RWJF. The report analyzed the sales of 15 major food and beverage companies and found that sales of BFY products drove more than 70% of sales growth from 2007 to 2011.
Hernando has become a model for how a city can encourage residents and workers to improve their health — and improve economic prospects at the same time. Through the leadership of Mayor Chip Johnson, they’ve developed a comprehensive wellness program for their city workers; built sidewalks and bike lanes; and started a farmer’s market. The transformation is paying dividends. Hernando has lowered health care costs by 15%, without cutting benefits.
“Very sophisticated companies all are very aware of the return on investment at multiple levels regarding workplace wellness and prevention and overall well-being,” said Tom Mason, President of the Alliance for a Healthier Minnesota, in an interview with the NewPublicHealth blog.
Started in 2008, SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Program) is an ambitious initiative to prevent the leading causes of chronic disease among Minnesotans: smoking and obesity. Target even hired one of the architects of SHIP to oversee its own employee wellness program.
Leading-edge employers are investing to keep employees healthy and, when disease does occur, to keep it from progressing. In Leading by Example, employers who have incorporated new, successful approaches to employee health and productivity share their experiences and knowledge and demonstrate the business case for investing in employee health.
