Taking stock of wellness.
1Office of Milliman, New York, USA.
Benefits Quarterly
|July 2, 2008
Summary
Employers face rising healthcare costs and numerous cost-control solutions. This article guides employers to evaluate wellness programs effectively, focusing on evidence-based strategies for success.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Occupational Health
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- The escalating health cost crisis necessitates effective cost-control strategies for employers.
- A burgeoning industry offers numerous solutions, often lacking clear evidence of efficacy.
- Evaluating these solutions, particularly wellness programs, requires a foundational approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To guide employers in critically assessing wellness policies and programs.
- To provide an evidence base for the effectiveness of various employer wellness initiatives.
- To outline strategies for targeting appropriate candidates for wellness programs and identify success factors.
Main Methods:
- Review of current employer wellness program models.
- Analysis of the empirical evidence supporting different wellness interventions.
- Development of a framework for evaluating wellness program success and failure.
Main Results:
- Diverse approaches to employer-sponsored wellness exist.
- The evidence base for wellness program effectiveness varies significantly.
- Targeting strategies and clear success metrics are crucial for impactful wellness initiatives.
Conclusions:
- Employers should adopt a fundamental, evidence-based approach to selecting and implementing wellness programs.
- Careful evaluation of wellness offerings is essential to navigate the cost-control industry.
- Understanding the elements of success and failure can optimize wellness initiative outcomes.
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