How California employers can encourage wellness for a healthier staff and a better bottom line

Good health is good business. Nearly 70 percent of the American work force is overweight, and each of those employees can cost businesses an additional $500 to $2,500 in medical expenditures and work loss. That’s a total of $50 billion nationally in annual expenditures related to obesity alone.

Expanding waistlines fuel alarming increases in blood pressure and blood sugar levels, reaching epidemic proportions. The impact of too much weight on health quality and life expectancy is now equal to if not greater than smoking, says a recent study.

Chronic diseases like hypertension, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and depression are responsible for two-thirds of the total increase in health care spending and take an enormous toll on employees and their families.

As health costs escalate, employers are adding health and wellness activities. They understand prevention can dramatically impact the price of health benefits and productivity of their work force.

To learn more, Smart Business turned to Tammie Brailsford, Chief Operating Officer of MemorialCare Health System in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Why should employers invest in wellness?

The work force is as critical to your bottom line as the quality of your products and services. Wellness programs reduce costs and help recruit, retain and increase employee productivity. Research shows companies implementing wellness activities save $1.49 to $4.91 for every dollar spent and reduce absences by 30 percent. A University of Michigan study revealed the health care cost of a 45- to 54-year-old at low risk for health problems is $2,081. A high-risk worker’s cost is $5,813, not including absenteeism, loss in productivity and other expenses.

With the economic downturn, how can I afford to offer these activities?

Business cost can be minimal — from $50 to $500 or more per employee annually, plus any incentives for health improvement. Instead of building a fitness center, offer employees a pedometer, mealtime walking programs and sessions on achieving better health. It’s as simple as selecting a salad or taking stairs or a 10-minute break to walk. Hospitals are more than willing to share information and resources on low- to no-cost screenings and offer prevention and healthy lifestyle programs at your company and in the community.