Implementation of a Worksite Wellness Program Targeting Small Businesses

Abstract

Objective:To assess small business adoption and need for a worksite wellness program in a longitudinal study of health risks, productivity, workers' compensation rates, and claims costs.Methods:Health risk assessment data from 6507 employees in 260 companies were examined. Employer and employee data are reported as frequencies, with means and standard deviations reported when applicable.Results:Of the 260 companies enrolled in the health risk management program, 71% continued more than 1 year, with 97% reporting that worker wellness improves worker safety. Of 6507 participating employees, 34.3% were overweight and 25.6% obese. Approximately one in five participants reported depression. Potentially modifiable conditions affecting 15% or more of enrollees include chronic fatigue, sleeping problems, headaches, arthritis, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension.Conclusions:Small businesses are a suitable target for the introduction of health promotion programs.

Small Business Total Worker Health: a Conceptual and Methodological Approach to Facilitating Organizational Change

“…They note that these organizations have strengths such as their knowledge of the small business context, experience selecting services that are relevant to small business, and the ability to help with intervention implementation. These organizations can help small businesses create policies and programs, improve management practices around health and safety, and make changes to the work environment that support health and safety (Newman et al, 2015). …”

“…Recently, NIOSH, the TWH Centers of Excellence, and the TWH Affiliates have been offering practical solutions for addressing TWH integrative strategies (McLellan, Moore, Nagler, & Sorensen, 2017a; NIOSH, 2016, 2017a). Additionally, at least three of the state-based workers’ compensation insurers (Colorado, Oregon, Ohio) have taken steps to integrate their safety and health promotion services (Newman et al, 2015; Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, 2017; SAIF Corporation, 2017). Some labor unions also offer health protection as well as health promotion services to their members (Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North America, 2017).…”

“…For example, we studied 260 small businesses in Colorado and found that many small business employees suffer from chronic illness and poor health behaviors. Over one-third exercised less than three times per week, 26% were obese, 22% experienced depression, 20% had chronic fatigue/sleeping problems, 16% were current smokers, 10% had chronic back pain, and 4% had diabetes (Newman et al, 2015). Other small business worksite wellness studies found similar, or worse, health status among small business workers (Merrill, 2013; Sorensen et al, 2005).…”

Health risk factors as predictors of workers' compensation claim occurrence and cost

“…Their findings have been inconsistent regarding the relationship between HRFs and WC claims,17–20 and only one study17 examined whether HRFs predict subsequent injury and cost. This study is a continuation of the Pinnacol Assurance Health Risk Management (HRM) research programme 21. The purpose of the HRM programme is to understand the impact of a worksite wellness programme offered by a WC insurer on the health, safety and productivity of covered employees.…”

A Five-Year Evaluation of the Bearfit Worksite Physical Activity Program

“…Benefits of such programs include increased productivity, happier work environment, and lower healthcare costs [31]. Therefore, many companies, businesses, and institutions have implemented worksite wellness programs to not only promote activity and reduce sedentariness, but also to improve health behaviors, long-term health, and promote a sense of community [32].…”