Wellness Programs in the Workplace

Paper Summary:

This paper examines wellness programs in the workplace in the form of a literature review on this specific subject. The paper also focuses on the impact that wellness programs have upon healthcare costs. The paper explains that the objectives of this research are specifically in making a determination of the cost-effectiveness of workplace wellness programs and particularly as related to reduction in health care costs for the organization. The paper then looks at how the literature is replete with evidence in support of development and implementation of workplace wellness programs and asserts that the significance of this work lay within the additional knowledge that this research work will add to the existing knowledge base in this subject area. The paper also explains that methodology employed in this research work is one of a qualitative, comprehensive, and interpretive nature in that the researcher will review the available peer-reviewed and scholarly literature in this subject area that is found in journals, periodicals, and other academic material appropriate to support qualitative research findings.

Outline:
Introduction
Research Aims and Objectives
Significance of Research
Methodology:
I. Wellness Program and ROI
II. Reasons for some Programs Failure
III. Important Elements for Ensuring ROI and Success
IV. Screening process is 'Key'
V. Cost-Benefit and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
VI. Components of Wellness Programs Identified
VII. WELCOA: 'Seven Best Practices' Identified
VIII. Benefits Reaped by the Organization
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The reason stated by Holtyn for failure of many of the wellness programs is that they are not designed in a comprehensive manner and because the programs "lack standards of practice and evaluation" which limits the ability of the programs to "demonstrate their effectiveness and impact on employee health and well being." (Wellness Program Management Advisor, Health Resources Publishing, 2006) The first area assessed in the wellness programs are stated to be: '...worksite environment' and 'corporate environment'. According to Holtyn: "Working within those two [environment], you can have some pretty robust results in terms of risk reduction. A study of worksite environments includes an examination of onsite vending machines, cafeteria menus, smoking policies and other policy issues within a given company's organization..." (Wellness Program Management Advisor, Health Resources Publishing, 2006)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Aldana, S.G. 2001. Financial Impact of Health Promotion Programs: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature. American Journal of Health Promotion 15(5): 296-320.
• Aldana, Steven G. (2001) Financial Impact of Health Promotion Programs: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature. American Journal of Health Promotion, Vol. 15, No. 5.
• Goetzel, Ron, et al. June 1998. Differences Between Descriptive and Multivariate Estimates of the Impact of Chevron Corporation's Health Quest Program on Medical Expenditures. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
• Goetzel, Ron, et al. May 2002. The Long-Term Impact of Johnson and Johnson's Health and Wellness Program on Employee Health Risks. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 44(5): pp 417-424.
• Goetzel, Ron. April 1998. Health Care Costs of Worksite Health Promotion Participants and Non-Participants. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 40(4): 341-346.

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