Viewpoint: Tapping Into a Healthy Lifestyle Online
by Kelly Shea-Bradley, Director of Corporate Communications, MVP Health Care

Despite numerous media reports and accolades for companies that have adopted successful health programs, some employers still do not offer effective education programs that can increase productivity and prevent or reduce absenteeism. Your employees’ health issues can result in a significant financial impact for your organization.

I believe that educating employees to take a more active role in their health care is the answer. Your employees and their families need information and tools that can help them make informed decisions about their health and health care. Your health plan may offer programs and services that can help your employees and their families identify health risks and provide education on prevention and self-care — ultimately moving them toward healthier lifestyles and better management of chronic conditions.

Raising health awareness within your organization and motivating employees toward healthier lifestyles does not need to be expensive or time consuming. In fact, it may actually save you money, increase productivity and employee morale.

While the exact cost-effectiveness of wellness programs is hard to measure, according to the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the average cost-to-benefit impact of these programs was a two dollar healthcare cost savings for every dollar spent on the programs. In addition, a survey of Fortune 500 companies found a focus on wellness can lower employee health and disability costs by as much as 31 percent or $2,398 per employee.

Your organization can promote a healthier lifestyle by:

• offering access to an on-site gym or discounts to a gym;
• creating a walking club or company sports teams;
• offering free, on-site wellness classes;
• printing health tips in your employee newsletter;
• providing healthy snack options in vending machines;
• reminding employees about the benefits of an annual physical and age appropriate preventive health screenings such as mammograms and colorectal exams.

For more information about this topic and other important health and safety issues and adopting a healthy lifestyle, be sure to visit MVP Health Care through its Web site at www.mvphealthcare.com

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