Corporate Wellness Programming

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Recommended: The importance of corporate wellness

Abstract

Corporate wellness programming is on the rise for many American employers. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, sedentary behavior, poor nutrition, obesity, and stress account for more than have of premature deaths reported on yearly basis. Moreover, chronic diseases are prevalent amongst one third of working-age Americans, accumulating to over 75% of the nation’s annual health care cost. The constant increase in health cost has had a huge impact on employers. According to Udall-Bono Healthy Workforce Bill Offers Biz Important Tax Breaks (2007), in 2006, total annual health care spending is an estimated $2.2 trillion while the average employer medical costs increased 72 percent between 2002 and 2006. By 2014 our country’s total health care expenditures are estimated to reach $3.6 trillion. In turn, corporate wellness programs are being implemented to help create a healthier workforce and decrease employer health care cost through wellness promotion and disease prevention. This paper will discuss the background, regulation, and future direction of corporate wellness programming.

Executive Summary

The leading cause of deaths amongst American's in the early twentieth century was due to infectious diseases. However, since the early 1990's that health concern has change to an even bigger one, unhealthy lifestyles. Diseases such as heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type II diabetes, cancer, and obesity are the largest contributors to death amongst Americans in today’s society. In addition, healthcare related costs have been on the rise for employers, leading to trillions of dollars spent annually. For example, in 2001, cardiovascular disease resulted in more than $129 billion in lost productivity in the ...

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...07. Vol. 07, Iss. 10; pg. 1. Retrieved November 4, 2007, from, ProQuest Database.

Lucuski, C. (2007, September). Preventive Medicine and Wellness Programs Key in Cutting Healthcare Costs. New Jersey Business. Vol. 53, Iss. 9; pg. 60. Retrieved October 17, 2007, from, ProQuest Database.

Mochari, Ilan. (February 22, 2005). Can coaxing employees to live healthy lives help keep the bottom line in shape? CFO Magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2007 from: http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/3664958

Udall-Bono Healthy Workforce Bill Offers Biz Important Tax Breaks. Retrieved November 4, 2007, from: http://www.tomudall.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=313&Itemid=1

U.S. Corporate Wellness, Inc. ROI-based Analysis of Employee Wellness Programs. (n.d.) Retrieved October 17, 2007, from: http://uscorporatewellness.com/USCW%20-%20White%20Paper%20(ROI%20Analysis).pdf

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