Big Companies Leading the Way in Preventive Care
As more and more companies realize their employees’ health has an impact on the corporate bottom line, it’s becoming increasingly common for employers to offer workplace wellness programs. And as often happens with expensive initiatives, big companies are on the front lines of the revolution.
A Big Problem
As a nation, nearly three-quarters of our healthcare spending goes to treating chronic diseases. That’s a huge financial toll on its own, but considering how all those chronic diseases affect the workforce, the picture is even more disturbing.
1 in 2
American adults with at least one chronic illness (1)
52%
Adults who don’t get recommended daily exercise (1)
1 in 5
Adults who smoke (1)
$1.3 trillion
Annual estimated cost to U.S. economy thanks to chronic conditions (cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, pulmonary conditions and mental illness) (2)
What Employers Are Doing
Hundreds of companies offer workplace-sponsored programs aimed at maintaining healthy weight, general fitness, quitting smoking and more.
92%
Employers with 200+ employees that offered wellness programs in 2009 (3)
83%
Companies that offer incentives for employees who take part in programs to learn about their health status (4)
Of employers who offer incentives … (4)
Reward: 79%
Consequence: 5%
Mix of both: 16%
2 in 3
Employers that offer monetary incentives between $50 and $500 (4)
Does It Work?
What effect does all this effort on the part of employers have?
86%
Workers who took action based on a wellness program healthcare assessment (4)
1 in 2
Employers who reported improved health behaviors and/or a boost in employee engagement (4)
Companies Doing it Right
Some of America’s largest companies are also the ones leading the march toward employee health. (5, 6, 7, 8)
General Electric
Headquarters: Fairfield, CT
Employees: 307,000
2013 revenue: $142.46B
What they offer
- Onsite gyms
- Online wellness portal
- “Small Changes” program that encourages small health-related choices (like standing more every day)
Headquarters: Mountain View, CA
Employees: 47,756
2013 revenue: $59.73B
What they offer
- Onsite physical therapist and chiropractor
- In-office slide, table tennis, scooters
- Visible nutrition labels on snacks, healthy options emphasized
- Candy kept in opaque containers and healthy snacks displayed in glass jars
Nike
Headquarters: Beaverton, OR
Employees: 48,000
2013 revenue: $25.33B
What they offer
- Courts for basketball, racquetball, squash and tennis
- Swimming pool, weight rooms, track, climbing wall and Tour de France simulator
- Paid sabbaticals
Microsoft
Headquarters: Redmond, WA
Employees: 99,000
2013 revenue: $77.65B
What they offer
- Bike shop
- Mini day spa
- Fields for soccer and cricket; basketball court
- Free health screenings
- On-site pharmacy
Kaiser Permanente
Headquarters: Oakland, CA
Employees: 186,000
2013 revenue: $53.1B
What they offer
- Incentivized walking
- Healthy food options
- Meditation and yoga sessions
- Bike-share programs
- Personalized wellness consultations
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
Employees: 2,712
2013 revenue: $664.89M
What they offer
- Daily catered lunch and dinner
- Gym reimbursement
- Weekly yoga classes
- Sprawling outdoor space and rooftop garden
Headquarters: Menlo Park, CA
Employees: 6,337
2013 revenue: $7.87B
What they offer
- Communal bikes and bike repair shop
- Standing desks
- Cafeteria with healthy options
- Pantries with healthy snacks
Sources:
1. http://www.cdc.gov
2. http://www.milkeninstitute.org
3. http://www.dol.gov
4. http://aon.mediaroom.com
5. http://www.bizjournals.com
6. http://greatist.com
7. http://www.marketwatch.com
8. http://share.kaiserpermanente.org