{"id":289,"date":"2011-02-11T09:24:44","date_gmt":"2011-02-11T17:24:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ddibenefits.com\/news\/?p=90"},"modified":"2011-02-11T09:24:44","modified_gmt":"2011-02-11T17:24:44","slug":"ddi-benefits-news-february-2011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddibenefits.com\/site\/2011\/02\/ddi-benefits-news-february-2011\/","title":{"rendered":"DDI E-newsletter, February 2011"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"font-size: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; font-style: italic; color: #e0601f; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 4px; text-transform: lowercase; font-family: Palatino,serif;\">Health and Wellness Reform&#8230;at work!<\/h1>\n<p><strong> <\/strong><br \/>\nEveryone knows you shouldn\u2019t smoke, over-eat, drink excessively or  stress out.\u00a0 We know our health affects our productivity at work, our  relationships, and overall physical and financial health both on a  personal level and societal level. Yet, we still question if there is  anything we can do about it.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s your reminder that YOU CAN do something about it, and it can start at work.<\/p>\n<p>What is the easiest way to get people to participate in a wellness program?\u00a0 MAKE IT FUN!<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Click the link below for inspiration (less than 2 minutes!)\u00a0 then  read on for an outline to present to your company\u2019s leadership so you  can get your WORKSITE WELLNESS program started NOW. First the FUN, and  if you still need it, the SCIENCE follows. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw\">Watch this awesome YouTube link!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Click on the links below for more info in this newsletter:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#1\">Why Wellness?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#2\">What\u2019s the Return on Investment (ROI) of a wellness program?&#8230;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#3\">What is Worksite Wellness and how do we get started?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#4\">Are you aware of your organization\u2019s cultural diversity?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#5\">Have you leveraged your partnerships?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"1\" name=\"1\"><\/a>Why Wellness?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Employers can save $16 for every $1 they invest in health and wellness<\/li>\n<li>Reducing one health risk increases productivity and lowers absenteeism<\/li>\n<li>The World Health Organization estimates that physically active people save $500 per year in healthcare costs.<\/li>\n<li>Cardiovascular disease continues to be the nation\u2019s leading cause of  death, with direct and indirect costs estimated to be $475.3 billion.<\/li>\n<li>More than 133 million Americans, 45% of population, have one or more  chronic diseases, most of which are preventable with diet and exercise<br \/>\n<em>Johns Hopkins University (2006)<\/em><\/li>\n<li>The diagnosis of childhood chronic diseases has almost quadrupled over the past four decades<\/li>\n<li>1 in 3 children will develop diabetes over their lifetime, given current trends in overweight or obesity<\/li>\n<li>Indirect Costs\u00a0 associated with health represents 2-3 times Direct Medical Costs at the worksite\n<ul>\n<li>Presenteeism<\/li>\n<li> Short Term Disability<\/li>\n<li> Long Term Disability<\/li>\n<li> Absenteeism<\/li>\n<li> Workers Compensation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #000000; font-family: Palatino,serif;\"><a style=\"color: #e0601f; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#top\">^back to top<\/a> <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #000000; font-family: Palatino,serif;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"2\" name=\"2\"><\/a>What\u2019s the Return on Investment (ROI)\u00a0 of a wellness program?&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p><em>based on \u201cA Systematic Review of ROI Studies \u201c Goetzel (2008) <\/em><\/p>\n<p>Corporate list of ROI studies of worksite wellness programs:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Canada and North American Life<\/li>\n<li>Chevron Corporation<\/li>\n<li>City of Mesa, Arizona<\/li>\n<li>General Mills<\/li>\n<li>General Motors<\/li>\n<li>Johnson  &amp; Johnson<\/li>\n<li>Pacific Bell<\/li>\n<li>Procter and Gamble<\/li>\n<li>Tenneco<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>RESULTS found:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>ROI estimates in these nine studies ranged from $1.40 &#8211; $4.90 in savings per dollar spent on wellness programs.<\/li>\n<li>Median ROI was $3 in benefits per dollar spent on program.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #000000; font-family: Palatino,serif;\"><a style=\"color: #e0601f; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#top\">^back to top<\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #000000; font-family: Palatino,serif;\"> <\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><a id=\"3\" name=\"3\"><\/a>What is Worksite Wellness and how do we get started?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Worksite Wellness<\/strong> \u2013 an organized program designed to assist  employees and their families \u00a0in behavior change that reduces health  risks, improves quality of life and maximizes personal potential and  impacts the bottom line.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>In order to get started, the following questions need to be answered first\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Who is impacted by a program?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Individuals, Teams, organizations, Peers \/ buddies, families, and communities need to be considered to be effective.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is your Corporate Culture?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What is the personality of your organization? Are you open to new ideas? To change?<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is your corporate climate? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Do you have a shared Vision? \u00a0&#8211; \u00a0A shared vision emerges when  employees have a chance to integrate their personal goals and approaches  with the team or organization\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n<p>Do you have a positive Outlook? \u2013 \u00a0A positive environment drives  individuals to look for opportunities rather than obstacles \u2013 strengths  rather than weaknesses.<\/p>\n<p>Do you have a sense of Community?\u00a0 \u2013 \u00a0A community is present when  employees feel they belong and can trust one another.\u00a0 A sense of  belonging includes\u00a0 awareness that others care and that we have a  responsibility to care for ourselves and others .<\/p>\n<p><strong>A wellness culture features norms that make it easier for people to maintain healthy lifestyles:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li> Responsibility \/ accountability for health<\/li>\n<li>No tobacco<\/li>\n<li> Regular physical activity<\/li>\n<li> Healthy eating<\/li>\n<li> Stress resilience practices<\/li>\n<li>Getting enough sleep<\/li>\n<li> Maintaining positive relationships<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Does your organization support these basic norms??\u00a0 Below are  specific areas of a company that present opportunities to reinforce a  wellness culture\u2026<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"472\">\n<tbody>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#666666\">\n<td width=\"164\" valign=\"top\"><strong>Touch Point<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"308\" valign=\"top\"><strong>Questions to Consider<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#cccccc\">\n<td width=\"164\" valign=\"top\">Modeling<\/td>\n<td width=\"308\" valign=\"top\">Do leaders and opinion makers model healthy<br \/>\nbehaviors?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"164\" valign=\"top\">Rewards and Recognition<\/td>\n<td width=\"308\" valign=\"top\">What behaviors are being rewarded or<br \/>\nrecognized?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#cccccc\">\n<td width=\"164\" valign=\"top\"  bgcolor=\"#cccccc\">Recruitment and Selection<\/td>\n<td width=\"308\" valign=\"top\"  bgcolor=\"#cccccc\">Does the community recognize this as<br \/>\na health oriented culture?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"164\" valign=\"top\">Confrontation<\/td>\n<td width=\"308\" valign=\"top\">How\u00a0 are unhealthy behaviors confronted?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#cccccc\">\n<td width=\"164\" valign=\"top\">Orientation<\/td>\n<td width=\"308\" valign=\"top\">How do new employees learn about the<br \/>\nwellness vision?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"164\" valign=\"top\">Training<\/td>\n<td width=\"308\" valign=\"top\">Are employees taught the knowledge, skills<br \/>\nand commitments it takes to be well?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#cccccc\">\n<td width=\"164\" valign=\"top\">Rites, Symbols, and Rituals<\/td>\n<td width=\"308\" valign=\"top\">Are there special events, daily \/ monthly<br \/>\nactivities reminders that wellness is important?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"164\" valign=\"top\">Communications<\/td>\n<td width=\"308\" valign=\"top\">Are people given the information and<br \/>\nfeedback needed to maintain healthy lifestyles?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#cccccc\">\n<td width=\"164\" valign=\"top\">Relationship Development<\/td>\n<td width=\"308\" valign=\"top\">Are friendships and teams formed around<br \/>\nhealthy behaviors?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"164\" valign=\"top\">Resource Commitment<\/td>\n<td width=\"308\" valign=\"top\">Are employees given the time and resources<br \/>\nto be well?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #000000; font-family: Palatino,serif;\"><a style=\"color: #e0601f; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#top\">^back to top<\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #000000; font-family: Palatino,serif;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"4\" name=\"4\"><\/a>Are you aware of your organization\u2019s cultural diversity?<\/h2>\n<p>Diversity Realities that Impact Wellness Programs<\/p>\n<p>Not everyone in the United States enjoys the same health  opportunities. For example, studies show that minority Americans  experience poorer than average health outcomes from cradle to the grave.  They are much more likely to die as infants, have higher rates of  diseases and disabilities, and have shorter life spans.<\/p>\n<p>More than 30 percent of direct medical costs faced by African  Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans were excess costs due to  health inequities \u2013 more than $230 billion over a four year period.<\/p>\n<p>It is important to be aware of these types of societal health  inequities when designing your worksite wellness program. Keep these  areas of diversity in mind:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>race and ethnicity<\/li>\n<li>Age\/Gender<\/li>\n<li>Job Category (white vs blue collar)<\/li>\n<li>Industry perspective<\/li>\n<li>Urban\/Rural<\/li>\n<li>Climate and Geography<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #000000; font-family: Palatino,serif;\"><a style=\"color: #e0601f; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#top\">^back to top<\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #000000; font-family: Palatino,serif;\"> <\/span><a id=\"5\" name=\"5\"><\/a>Have you leveraged your partnerships?<\/h2>\n<p>Identify your collaborative partners:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your company\u2019s Executive leadership and management<\/li>\n<li>Natural wellness leaders \u201chealth champions\u201d within your organization<\/li>\n<li>Benefits Consultants, Insurance providers, free wellness tools  (disease management, health risk assessments, claims analysis, health  coaches, health calculators)<\/li>\n<li>Wellness companies (incentive programs, biometric screenings, flu shots)<\/li>\n<li>neighboring businesses, local health clubs, community centers,  county state and federal resources on public health info and toolkits<\/li>\n<li>Non-profit organizations such as hospitals, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, etc.<\/li>\n<li>So many options\u2026. See resource list below<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For more facts, figures and awesome resources to help you get your  Wellness program started call Dena at DDI Benefits and browse the  resource list.<\/p>\n<p>Sources used for this E-Newsletter came from start.oregonheart.org ,\u00a0  and the 2010Start! Wellness Summit, a movement created by the American  Heart Association.\u00a0  Check their website out for free resources and  information specifically designed for companies, employees and  communities to help take positive action.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #000000; font-family: Palatino,serif;\"><a style=\"color: #e0601f; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#top\">^back to top<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #000000; font-family: Palatino,serif;\">\n<h4 style=\"font-style: italic; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; color: #cc6600; text-align: left; margin-top: 8px; font-family: Palatino,serif;\">For  more information on creating a customized benefits package for your  employees,  contact DDI Benefits at 503.206.5654, or via email to <a style=\"color: #444444; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"mailto:dena@ddibenefits.com\">dena@ddibenefits.com<\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Worksite Wellness Program is good, not just for you, but for your employees and your company! Read on&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-healthcare-reform","category-small-business"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa1tE9-4F","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddibenefits.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddibenefits.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddibenefits.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddibenefits.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddibenefits.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=289"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ddibenefits.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/289\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddibenefits.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddibenefits.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddibenefits.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}