We all know that good health is good business. And engaging employees in health improvement efforts is key to managing healthcare costs. So where do we stand in the battle to improve workforce health?

The good news: According to a national survey conducted by Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA), more than 90 percent of businesses currently offer wellness programming.

The bad news: The vast majority of these programs are activity-centered (periodic health screenings, sporadic fitness activities, occasional lunch/learns) instead of results-oriented (data driven, guided by a strategic plan, and embedded in organizational mission and culture).

By following a proven WELCOA formula, employers can move quickly from a “pretty good” activity-centered program to “extremely successful” results-oriented wellness programming.

WELCOA’s Seven Benchmarks of Success

1. Capture senior level support

2. Create a cohesive wellness team

3. Collect data

4. Craft an operating plan

5. Choose appropriate interventions

6. Create supportive environments

7. Carefully evaluate outcomes

Recognizing that few area employers have the resources to undertake this work on their own, Sparrow is underwriting a suite of tools designed to assist employers in assessing workforce needs, determining the most effective interventions and producing measurable outcomes. These “Well at Work” tools are free to area employers and target the following WELCOA benchmarks:

Benchmark 3 - Collect data

• Personal Health Profile – a simple, confidential survey which takes about five minutes to complete and gathers information on health history, habits and concerns.

• Employee Interest Survey – a simple survey to determine health programs of most interest to employees.

• Group Health Report - An aggregate report outlines the health risk and behaviors of your employee population and provides a comparison to other similar organizations.

• HR Insight – an online application that allows employers to predict future medical costs based on the health risks/behaviors of the employee population and determine return on investment for various intervention models.

Benchmark 4 - Craft an operating plan

Along with the Group Health Report, you will receive a CD containing a strategic planning template which is intended to be customized for use by your organization.

This template is designed to facilitate easy, speedy development of a comprehensive strategic plan.

Benchmark 5 - Choose appropriate interventions

Utilizing the HR Insight tool and guided by Sparrow experts, your wellness team will choose the most appropriate and effective interventions and set a schedule for implementation.

In order to engage employees, “7 Simple Steps to Wellness,” an entertaining, informative overview, is included in the Well at Work package. Specially designed “7 Simple Steps” employee packets and static cling posters are included.

Benchmark 6 - Create supportive environments

The Sparrow Well at Work team will assist you in conducting a health-related environmental assessment and then integrate environmental change into your overall wellness strategies.

Benchmark 7 - Evaluate outcomes

Sparrow experts will work with you to collect personal health profiles on an annual basis, producing an annual Group Health Report that can be trended over time to document changes in employee health risks and behaviors.

Managing healthcare costs is a complex and challenging—but not impossible—issue. In order to be successful, employers must recognize that employee lifestyle choices have a significant impact on healthcare utilization and therefore costs. It’s a subject you can’t afford to ignore.

If you want to find out what Sparrow’s Well at Work program can do for your bottom line, contact Karen Surdenik at 517-364-8167 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

		Beth Spyke has a master’s degree in exercise science from Michigan State University and has specialized in worksite wellness for more than 25 years.  She currently serves as Sparrow’s director of health and wellness.