Effectiveness of Worksite Wellness Programs

The rising cost of U.S. health care needs to be addressed, especially as it relates to rising rates in chronic conditions that could be prevented. Identifying best practices in preventing chronic diseases may reveal concepts that could be used to lower health care cost. According to Blumenthal (2006), in the United States more than 60% of citizens get health insurance coverage through an employment-based plan, making the workplace a perfect place to invest in health care. Worksite Wellness is an important part of a national strategy to combat chronic diseases and the rising cost of health care. This study used qualitative methods to analyze textual material from long-term research from private and public organizations, professional literature and a variety of different case studies. The analysis revealed that the most effective way to implement a worksite wellness program is to tailor the program according to the needs of the employees. To rein in the short-term cost-savings, the program should focus on disease management and to rein in long-term cost savings, the program should focus on lifestyle-management.