9 Elements to workplace fitness programs that work
Hectic modern schedules can provide a good excuse for us to skip the gym or eat junky fast food.
That’s why workplaces that provide incentives for employees to work out and eat right — and make it easy for them to do so — can have such a big effect on their workers’ health. If more employers offer health programs, it could have a large positive effect on the nation’s overall health.
I’ve been doing a bit of research on healthy workplaces for our November healthy lifestyles month on Live Well and ran across this 2009 report from the American Heart Association on the effectiveness of work site health programs.
Here are the elements of a workplace health program that is effective in improving employee health, according to the study.
- Tobacco cessation and prevention
- Regular physical activity
- Stress management/ reduction
- Early detection/screening
- Nutrition education and promotion
- Weight management
- Disease management
- Cardiovascular disease education that includes cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator training
- And changes in the work environment to encourage healthy behaviors and promote occupational safety and health.
Coming Monday, Live Well will feature an article from one successful employee health program at Regence, which has realized millions of dollars in cost savings as well as significant health benefits for its employees.
Does your company have a wellness program? Has it been effective? I’d love to hear from you.
