Employers are recognizing that prevention and wellness programs
are investments.
"In a sea change over the last five years, employers recognize
that to control runaway costs without just making employees pay
much more for their healthcare, they have to help them improve
their health so they need less
medical care and fewer prescription drugs.
Healthcare 2009: Issues and Challenges, Helen
Darling, Human Resource Executive, Forecast 2009 Issue, November
2008
In recent years, significant return on investment (ROI) studies
have been conducted for different industries and of corporations
of varying size. In virtually every case, the results are
positive. Short-term (one to three years) success can be
measured by participation in program offerings, lower
utilization of other high cost health care services, improved
patient physical outcomes (e.g., blood sugar levels, cholesterol
levels and blood pressure), employee satisfaction and morale,
and a decline in absenteeism.
Changing the
Health Care Paradigm: The Case for Investment in Worksite
Wellness in Texas, Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness, 2006
