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How do employees get switched on to wellness? This question was the focus of the fourth annual employer symposium, April 27, 2007, at Rush University Medical Center. Over 100 attendees heard first hand from employers about strategies to encourage employees to maintain and improve health behaviors.
Dr. Wayne Burton, JPMorgan Chase, presented the business case for wellness including studies demonstrating return on investment. Dr. Burton gave an overview of the history of health management programs at JPMorgan Chase, shared experiences with employees' use of health risk appraisals, and discussed the use of premium differentials as participation incentives. He described future directions and stressed the critical importance of using data to track the relationship between health risk and health costs.
Dr. Richard Dixon, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, introduced a free tool for employers to promote the use of preventive health screenings . Dr. Dixon also emphasized the need for employers to practice disaster preparedness planning.
The employers’ experience and perspective was presented by representatives from two Chicago area companies, Morningstar Inc and the Boeing Company. Ms. Melinda Hightower described a menu of wellness programs offered to Morningstar employees, including reimbursement for weight loss and smoking cessation programs . Ms. Maggie Surges described Boeing’s integrated wellness offerings and the impact of incentives for participating in on-site screenings and health risk appraisals.
Ms. Lisa Carlson, Quaker Tropicana Gatorade, presented information about the link between high cholesterol and heart disease and explained why eating oatmeal can lower cholesterol levels. Ms. Carlson described how the Quaker Smart Heart Challenge has effectively engaged groups of employees across the U.S. in programs aimed at reducing cholesterol levels .
Symposium attendees had the option of starting the day’s activities with a free cholesterol test followed by a heart-healthy breakfast.
Exhibits focused on the Rush Health Associates’ free worksite Lunch and Learn programs employers can offer to encourage wellness behaviors (view Lunch and Learn programs).
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