Why Wellness?

One of the biggest misconceptions regarding corporate wellness programs is that there needs to be a reduction in health risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc.  These are absolute essential factors to looking at the success of a wellness program but only effects of changes made. 

If we were to split a company in half and give 1/2 of the group medication to lower cholesterol and take the other 1/2 and empower them to make daily lifestyle choices that promote health to increase productivity, morale, and satisfaction, who is healthier?

Of course the logical person will say that by eating, moving, and thinking in a manner that is congruent with our genetics, that person is healthier.  The downfall is that corporations ask the wrong questions.  Many want their employee 'risk' factors to decrease and encourage behavior that will do this.  There's no question that taking medication to lower blood pressure will most likely lower blood pressure.  But will that person be healthier and function at a higher level?

To know that answer, don't look at me for the answer, ask your insurance carrier.  Organizations know that an employee that is in ill health will cost that company lack of productivity, sick time, and health care costs.  So the solution is to control that employees risk factors, most often using medication.  In the eyes of the organization, that employee will appear more productive and cost less but all they have to do is ask the insurance provider.

When a person goes on medication to lower risk factors, what happens to the insurance premium?  The rate increase.  The insurance company knows that person is going to cost the insurance company more resources, will have more claims in their life, and be less productive.  In actuality, lowering risk factors with medication costs the employers way more time and money than implementing a wellness program that concentrates on lifestyle factors.

For more info on setting up a wellness program for your company, visit www.SoCoWellA.org or email us at socowella@gmail.com