Employers can play key role in promoting better health: Report

As the U.S. continues to struggle with both cost and quality issues in an evolving health care system, employers can play a key role in promoting better health and more efficient use of resources, The Health Project reported this week.

"Health care costs continue to grow out of control, but some companies and communities are actually doing something about it. They get to the heart of the problem with programs focused on avoiding sickness and accidents in the first place," said Chairman and Co-Founder of The Health Project Carson Beadle. "People who develop healthy behaviors have fewer chronic diseases, lower health care costs and are usually happier, more productive employees."

The Health Project announced that it has awarded the prestigious C. Everett Koop National Health Award to three organizations with health promotion programs that have demonstrated effectiveness in improving the health of workers while at the same time saving the company money.

The employers selected to receive The Health Project's 2010 C. Everett Koop National Health Award were Medical Mutual of Ohio, Pfizer and Volvo Group Companies of North America. The awards will be presented on September 29th at the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) Conference in Orlando, Florida (see www.the-hero.org  for details).

"These organizations were able to demonstrate that their health promotion and disease prevention programs not only improved health, they also saved money," said Ron Goetzel, Ph.D., President and CEO of The Health Project and Director of the Institute for Health and Productivity Studies, a partnership between Emory University and Thomson Reuters. "A common theme for all of the organizations recognized is leadership support for a healthy company culture," added Dr. Goetzel.

Medical Mutual of Ohio offers a comprehensive health promotion program that includes a full range of activities ranging from health assessments, biometric screenings, and environmental initiatives focused on building a healthy company culture. Over time, participation increased from 43% in 2003 to 87% in 2008 and a cost analysis found that those who participate at a higher level in programs showed lower increases in health care costs and short-term disability.

Pfizer offers a full spectrum of health promotion programs that include full coverage for preventative services, visible leadership support, use of incentives for participation, and multi-channel marketing and communication. Independent research has shown population-level health risk reduction and a positive return-on-investment for the company.

Through the use of incentives and leadership support, Volvo's union-endorsed Health for Life Program has achieved 80% participation in its health assessment program. Additionally, the program achieved risk reduction among Volvo's employees, absenteeism rates dropped from 2.04 days annually to 1.87 days and the company's annual medical cost trend was cut in half from 10% to 5%.

"There are many reports of successful efforts by small and large employers who have introduced sustainable health promotion and disease prevention programs," said Jim Fries, MD, Professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Chief Science Officer for The Health Project. "The Health Project has documented more than 70 programs with well-designed and scientifically evaluated programs. They improve health and save money – you can't argue with data."

A panel of 14 health promotion experts selected the 2010 winners, who join a growing list of previous award recipients that include Dow, IBM, Lincoln Industries, L.L. Bean, Vanderbilt University and USAA. The Health Project maintains a repository of information about these proven health promotion programs, so that employers and community agencies can draw on them for guidance on improving health care outcomes throughout the country. More information about the C. Everett Koop National Health Award winners is available at http://www.TheHealthProject.com.