Company Health and Wellness Programs: Employee Wellness Programs: Health Education

Health education is easily integrated into all the areas of comprehensive Employee Wellness Programs  and it is unlikely that any of the areas could survive without an educational component. It is a key  element of every primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention program and a way of promoting wellness  and optimal health. A comprehensive health education program must be based on theoretically and  scientifically sound principles to ensure effectiveness.

Successful health education initiatives will incorporate adult learning theories and encourage active  member involvement in all aspects of program planning and implementation. Health education efforts  should emphasize skill development and the adoption of health enhancing behaviors while being  accessible to all employees, their families and retirees. Methods of delivery may include; one on one  instruction, group presentations, seminars, workshops, educational media lending library and health  literature distribution. Program examples may include:

• Health Risk Assessments (HRAs)
• Individualized health prescriptions and behavior change assistance
• First aid and CPR training
• Nutrition education initiatives
• Stress Management Programs
• tobacco use cessation  initiatives
• Heart disease and cancer education
• Blood borne pathogens education initiatives
• Sexual assault prevention initiatives

• Prenatal care and Postnatal
• Safety education initiatives
• Self care initiatives
• Healthy back initiatives
• Family centered initiatives
• Supplies of literature and educational media available for worker loan