workplace health solutions

www.defineyourself-coaching.com

Be Active. Be Healthy. Work Well.A look at corporate wellness

Presented by:

Danielle Vindez

Define Yourself Health Coaching


Why Wellness?

The known benefits of corporate health initiatives include: Illness prevention

Stress reduction

Improved focus and performance

Optimal health and well-being

Reduced susceptibility to illness and injuries

Reduced absenteeism

Improved morale

Higher productivity

“Smart business leaders increasingly are finding that it is the right decision to promote health education, physical activity, and preventive benefits in the workplace.”

Tommy Thompson, Former Secretary of Health and Human Services


Today’s Objectives

• Realize the impact of employee inactivity on your company’s bottom line.

• Implement a successful wellness program that makes a positive impact while keeping costs under control.

• Gain several tips on how to squeeze more activity into your busy days.


We know

Excess costs are associated with excess health risks.

The lowest costs are associated with individuals who have 0 to 2 health risks.

As health risks increase to 3, 4, and 5 or more, costs increase.

Source: University of Michigan Health Management Research Center Cost Benefit Analysis and Report 2006, pg. 11


Research also shows

According to the University of Michigan Health Management Research Center Cost Benefit Analysis

and Report of 2006,

The potential average value for risk avoidancerisk avoidance is $350 per person per year.

The potential average value for risk reductionrisk reduction is $153 per person per year.


High Risk Criteria

Health Risk MeasureHealth Risk Measure High Risk CriteriaHigh Risk CriteriaAlcohol More than 14 drinks per week

Blood Pressure Systolic >140 mmHg or Diastolic >90 mmHg

Body Weight Body Mass Index > 27.5

Cholesterol Greater than 240 mg/dl

Existing Medical Problem Heart, Cancer, Diabetes, Stroke

HDL Less than 40 mg/dl

Illness Days >5 days last year

Life Satisfaction Partly or Not Satisfied

Perception of Health Fair or Poor

Physical Activity Less than one time per week

Safety Belt Usage Using a safety belt less than 100% of the time

Smoking Current Smoker

Stress HighSource: University of Michigan Health Management Research Center Cost Benefit Analysis and Report 2006, pg. 11


Health Risks Lead to Disease StatesObesity (BMI ≥27.5)

• Hypertension • Dyslipidemia (high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides) • Type 2 diabetes • Coronary heart disease • Stroke • Gallbladder disease • Osteoarthritis • Sleep apnea and respiratory problems • Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)

High Cholesterol • Coronary Heart Disease• Heart Attack• Stroke• Atherosclerosis (fatty buildups in arteries)

High Blood Pressure• Heart Attacks Stroke• Heart Failure Kidney Failure • Atherosclerosis (fatty buildups in arteries Blindness


Alcohol• Stroke• Dementia• Hypertension and other cardiovascular problems• Depression, suicide and anxiety• Social problems including unemployment, lost productivity• Cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, prostate and breast (In general, the risk of cancer

increases with increasing amounts of alcohol)• Liver Diseases• Gastrointestinal problems including pancreatitis

Physical Inactivity Metabolic syndrome • Overweight (abdominal obesity >35” women, >40” men), high cholesterol, low HDL, high blood

pressure, insulin resistance (elevated glucose >110 fasting).• Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers

Smoking• Cancers - bladder, mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, cervix, kidney, lung, pancreas, stomach• Acute Myeloid Leukemia• Coronary Heart Disease• Stroke• Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease• Peripheral Vascular Disease

Health Risks Lead to Disease States


Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1986

No Data <10% 10%–14%

(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” person)



No Data <10% 10%–14%




No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%




No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20





No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% ≥25%


How Did This Happen?

• Marketing of food products– Low fat– Low carb– Low cholesterol

• Serving sizes have increased– 20 years ago, a bagel was 3” in diameter with 140 calories– Today, bagels have a 6” diameter and 210 calories and up

• Super-size, “Extra Value” menus• Dieting lifestyle• Sedentary lifestyles - computers - TV


Sedentary Lifestyles

• The average American takes between 2300 and 3000 steps daily compared to a healthy goal of 10,000 steps

Source: Novartis Nutrition

• “Researchers measured the steps of 98 Amish adults with pedometers and found men took an average of 18,425 steps a day, and women took 14,196. Only 4% of Amish adults are obese, versus 31% of the general population.”

Source: Cooking Light, 7/04


Success Considerations• Senior management commitment, and buy-in from middle managers.

• A champion, and a committed health promotion planning committee, or team.

• “Healthy company” messages and an environment that supports healthy lifestyles.

• Frequent and regular contact with employees throughout the organization.

• Linkage and integration with human resources and other employee benefits.• Access to a wide variety of health promotion programs and services.

• Incentives to motivate employees to participate in the health promotion programs.

• Effective targeting of high-risk individuals.

• Effective planning, continuity, and follow-through on all program activities.

• Ongoing evaluation that reports on health and quality of life improvements, cost reductions, and ROI goals.

Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust. Employer Health Benefits 2006 Annual Survey. August 2007

mailto:[email protected]


More about Success

The percent of the population

remaining low risk depends to a

great extent on the

attention given to the

Low Risk Population.


The Define Yourself Solution for Optimal Worksite Health

A. Program design based on the most valid and reliable statistics

B. Accurate and personal health risk assessments1. Appraise community in health risk terms (HRA) and biometric screenings.2. Screenings compared annually to track risk trends.

C. Monthly “Total Health” Team meetings - sustain motivation and build health leaders, provide team with personal assessments with coaching

D. Know your population - personal attention to identifying risks, disease, sedentary lifestyles, nutritional habits, stress habits, exercise habits

E. Engagement - nutrition discussions, exercise programs, incentives, new employee orientation, positive feedback

F. Verify Effectiveness - facilitate the transfer of learning, facilitate the transfer of learning, conduct on going

reports immediately after classes and then 6 months later, coach as needed


Discussion

• What have you done to express the importance of health and wellness to your employees?

• What incentives do you offer employees for being active?

• What is your big picture plan?


Programs that Bring a Return on Investment

– Lead from the Top - Executives, and team buy-in – Identify Risks and Disease - Ex. high BMI = high diabetes risk,

– Promote Targeted Health Initiatives - engage in effective services - coach, trainer, nutritionist

– Drive Employee Participation - 80% participation over any three-year period, and 70% low-risk

– Make it Personal - themed awareness months, employee incentives, family incentives

– Offer a Total Health Environment - medical flex-plan incentives, group walks, back strength classes, nutrition classes, morning stretch, healthy food vendors, newsletters, health tips strategies

– Measure Efforts and Make Adjustments

University of Michigan Health Management Research


Health Benefits of Walking

• Walking at a moderate to vigorous pace for fifteen minutes a day, twice a day, most days of the week can lower risk for – Heart Disease– Stroke– High Cholesterol– Diabetes– Colon and Breast cancer

American Heart Association


Wear a Pedometer or Fitness Monitor

• Pedometers have been proved to encourage you to walk 3,000 or more additional steps a day

• Here’s what 3,000 more steps a day for 3 months can mean:– 3.3 lbs. lost

– 0.6 reduction in BMI– 1 cm drop in waist circumference– 11,550 extra calories burned– 4 beat-per-min drop in resting heart rate


Getting More Steps in Your Day

• Keep an extra pair of walking shoes in your car or at work

• Walk or play with the family at the end of the day

• Park at the farthest (but safe) spot at the grocery store, drugstore, work

• Walk during your break times • Take the stairs


Offer Fun Incentives

• Gift certificate to sporting goods store/shoe store

• Gym bag, workout gloves, heart rate monitor

• IPod, MP3 player– Studies show that women listening to music

while walking burn more calories

• Pedometers


Enjoy a Happier, Healthier Workplaceand reap the benefits!

Thank you!

workplace health solutions

Documents