As our country continues increasing expenditures on healthcare, employers are bearing the brunt of these rising costs. This year, employers on average will pay $7500 per employee for healthcare.* Yikes.
So what the heck can you do? You can invest in worksite wellness programs. And consequently, you’ll be investing in yourself and your company. Studies show that for every dollar you spend on wellness, you’ll directly save about $3.**
Your indirect savings will be even higher – to the tune of $16 of savings per dollar you invest. Studies show that wellness program employee participants tend to miss fewer workdays and in general are more “present” and productive in the workplace.***
*Towers Perrin 2009 Health Care Cost Survey | **2003 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Report | ***Aldana et al., Brigham Young University study
The Wellness Imperative
Without a dramatic change in course, rising health care costs, primarily due to chronic disease and obesity, will ultimately overwhelm us. With 75% of all health care costs going toward the treatment of chronic disease and a medical incentive system that is designed to treat rather than prevent, it is imperative that we shift the paradigm and reduce these costs by just plain getting healthier.
We can no longer afford to not take action.