Every organization in our study has an expert who develops and coordinates a clear, comprehensive wellness program, continuously sells it throughout the organization, and measures its effectiveness.
An article on Tuesday about preventive-care provisions in the new federal health law misstated the surname of the president of the American Heart Association, an advocate of comprehensive wellness programs for employees.
Studies have shown that when companies invest in well-designed comprehensive wellness programs, they can reduce workers' compensation claims, increase productivity by reducing absenteeism and curb overall health care costs, said Dr. Clyde Yancy, president of the American Heart Association.
The smallest companies in our study have developed comprehensive wellness programs in part by leveraging the resources of vendor partners.
Senator Tom Harkin, the Iowa Democrat who is a leader of the Congressional health reform movement, recently proposed giving tax incentives to companies that offer comprehensive wellness programs to their employees.
The Nebraska provision has gotten far more publicity, for instance, than a provision that would provide tax credits of up to 50 percent to small-business owners who offer health benefits to their employees, or another that would authorize $200 million in grants to small businesses to help them start comprehensive wellness programs for their employees.
Some comprehensive wellness programs, including my company's, focus on the four pillars of health, wealth, mind and body.
To combat those issues, we've developed and invested in comprehensive wellness programming for our employees.
Public health advocates ought to urge these labor-management health and welfare funds to provide training and worksite-based programs such as MassBUILT, as part of comprehensive wellness programming.
A comprehensive wellness score must not only incorporate physical health but mental health as well.
