Posts from — January 2009

Advantages of tobacco use Cessation Programs

Instances of respiratory diseases, cancer and other illnesses can be reduced through tobacco use  cessation efforts. tobacco use cessation initiatives can provide huge opportunities for improved  health.

The American Cancer Society reports that tobacco use employees cost corporations an average of $1,429  per smoker per year in increased health care costs over non-tobacco use employees. Implementing a  tobacco use cessation program costs an average of $45 per worker per year, saving corporations an  average of $1,383 per year for each worker who quits tobacco use. Additionally, the American Cancer  Society reports that smokers are absent from work 50% more often than nonsmokers. They are also 50%  more likely to be hospitalized and have 15% higher disability rates. tobacco use decreases onthe- job  productivity as well. Employees who take four 10- minute tobacco use breaks a day work more than a  month less per year than workers who don’t take smoke breaks.

Places to start with tobacco use cessation initiatives:

1.    Create a employer policy prohibiting tobacco use anywhere on the property.
2.    Provide prompts/posters to support no tobacco use policy.
3.    Policy supporting participation in tobacco use cessation activities during duty time  (flex-time).
4.    Provide counseling through an individual, group, or telephone counseling program onsite.
5.    Provide counseling through a medical plan sponsored individual, group, or telephone counseling  program.
6.    Provide cessation medications through medical insurance.

Advantages of Nutrition Programs

Nutrition directly impacts nearly every aspect of physical and mental health. A healthy diet can help  protect against such conditions as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, stroke, certain cancers and  depression. Obesity, which is among the most common conditions linked to diet, affects a record number  of Americans.

The American Journal of Health Promotion estimates the cost of obesity to United States employer to  exceed $12.5 billion in health care, sick leave, and life and disability insurance. Further, one  research study reports that obesity raises health care costs by 36% and medication costs by 77%. To  offset the health risks of obesity and poor diet, many corporations have committed to helping employees  ensure proper nutrition and undertake weight control initiatives.

Popular nutrition initiatives:

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
1.    Provide healthy eating reminders and prompts to employees via multiple means (i.e.  e-mail, posters, payroll stuffers, etc.).
2.    Provide appealing, low-cost fruits and vegetables in vending machines and in the  cafeteria.
3.    Provide cookbooks, food preparation, and cooking classes for employees’ families.
4.    Ensure onsite cafeterias follow healthy cooking practices and set nutritional standards  for foods served that align with the United States Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
5.    Provide healthy foods at meetings, conferences, and catered events.
6.    Use point-of-decision prompts as a marketing technique to promote healthier choices.
7.    Provide healthy cooking demonstrations that teach skills (i.e. fruit and vegetable  selection and preparation).
8.    Provide taste-testing opportunities at the worksite.
9.    Provide worker-led campaigns, demonstrations or programs.
10.    Provide local fruits and vegetables at the worksite (i.e. worksite farmer’s market or  community-supported agriculture drop-off point).
11.    Use competitive pricing (price non-nutritious foods in vending machines and cafeterias  at higher prices).
12.    Provide protected time and dedicated space away from the work area for breaks and  lunch.
13.    Make kitchen equipment available to employees.
14.    Provide an opportunity for onsite gardening if possible.

Sweetened Beverage Consumption
1.    Make water available throughout the day.
2.    Provide appealing, low-cost healthful drink options in vending machines and the  cafeteria.
3.    Modify worksite vending contracts to increase the number of healthy options.

4.    Price non-nutritious beverages at a higher cost.
5.    Use point-of-decision prompts to promote healthier choices.

Portion Control
1.    Label foods to show serving size and/or nutritional content.
2.    Provide food models, food scales for weighing and pictures to help employees assess  portion size.
3.    Provide appropriate portion sizes at meetings, worksite events and in the cafeteria.

Nutrition initiatives in action

While many corporations address weight management through fitness programs, corporations are  increasingly focusing on nutrition through separate programming. Recognizing the productivity boost and  lowered medical expenditures that come with maintaining a healthy weight, many corporations may help  pay for obesity treatments for employees. For example, to improve the health of dangerously obese  employees, drug maker Wyeth reportedly pays for stomach-shrinking surgeries that carry price tags of up  to $40,000.

A 2003 Society of Human Resource Management research study shows that 24% of corporations offer weight  loss initiatives. In Ohio, Honda offers an onsite, registered dietitian who provides individual or  group consultations on weight management. Body fat analysis and body mass index (BMI) measurements are  available to employees at any time.

At Grange Insurance’s Columbus headquarters, the cafeteria chef analyzes meals and provides employees  basic nutrition information, including Weight Watchers points. Many corporations partner with the  American Cancer Society to offer nutrition information through the ”5-ADay” program, which provides  corporations free signage and educational materials about the importance of eating five servings of  fruits and vegetables a day. The program also offers a fruit and vegetable ”frequency card” that gives  employees a free portion of fruit or vegetables after he or she has purchased a preset number.

Advantages of Exercise Programs

Exercise reduces weight, lowers risks of heart attack and stroke, helps to control blood pressure and  diabetes, and improves mood. Studies increasingly show that physical fitness may also help reduce the  occurrence of certain types of cancer. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC) recently documented another major advantage: physical fitness improves the health of the nation’s  medical care expenditures.3 According to the CDC, physically active individuals incur $865 less per  year in medical costs than inactive staff members.

Dr. Michael Moore, vice president and chief medical director at Nationwide Insurance in Columbus,  maintains that physical fitness is the most effective tool in health maintenance. “If you could  prescribe exercise in a pill, it would be the number-one prescribed treatment in the world,” he said.  In step with Dr. Moore’s prescription, nearly one-third of United States corporations help employees  pay for gym memberships, according to an Associated Press report. Subsidizing gym memberships is just  one way corporations encourage active lifestyles.

Popular Exercise Initiatives:

1.    Allow access to on- and off- worksite gyms and recreational activities before, during, and  after work hours.
2.    Provide and encourage participation in after work recreation or leagues.
3.    Provide cash incentives or reduced insurance costs for participation in physical activity  and/or weight management or maintenance activities.
4.    Provide shower and/or changing facilities onsite.
5.    Provide outdoor physical fitness areas such as fields and trails for worker use.
6.    Provide bicycle racks in safe, convenient, and accessible locations.
7.    Provide onsite fitness opportunities, such as group classes or personal training.
8.    Provide an onsite physical fitness facility.
9.    Set up initiatives that have strong social support systems and incentives, such as:
• Buddy or team physical activity goals
• Programs that involve workers and family
• Programs to encourage physical activity, such as pedometer walking challenges
• Consider discounted or subsidized memberships at local health clubs, recreation centers, or  YMCAs
10.     Provide flexible work hours to allow for physical activity during the day.
11.    Support physical activity breaks during the workday, such as stretching or walking.
12.    Host walk-and-talk meetings.
13. Map out onsite trails or nearby walking routes and destinations.
14. Have employees map out their own biking or walking route to and from work.
15. Post motivational signs at elevators and escalators to encourage stair usage.
16. Provide exercise/physical fitness messages and information to employees.
17. Provide or support recreation leagues and other physical activity events onsite or in the  community.
18. Begin worker activity clubs such as walking or bicycling clubs.
19. Provide onsite child care facilities to facilitate physical activity.
20. Sponsor a bike to work day and reward employees who participate.
21. Set up a box and solicit fitness and health tips.