WELLNESS DEFINITION

As a Noun
The quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result
of deliberate effort.

World Dictionary
The state of being in good physical and mental health

Medical Dictionary
The condition of good physical and mental health, especially when maintained
by proper diet, exercise and habits.


HALBERT DUNN, 1977

An integrated method of functioning which is oriented toward

maximizing the potential of which the individual is capable, within

the environment where he is functioning
DIMENSIONS OF WELLNESS
These dimensions are interdependent i.e., they interact
and overlap with each other to produce health
Physical
Social
Mental
Emotional
Spiritual
Environmental
Social
Environmental Spiritual Emotional
Mental Physical
PICTORIAL REPRESENTATION

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND WELLNESS ISSUES

STRESS
A recent study by the National Institutes of
Health indicates that 70% of all illness is stress
related

Directly linked to heart disease, lung ailments,
accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

Both a health and safety problem and a job
performance problem.

The mandatory testing of employees has
implications for employee relations and human
rights.
ABSENTEEISM
Psychological problems account for 61% of absences from work
each year, 65-85% of employee terminations and 80-90% of industrial
accidents.

An estimated 1,000,000 workers are absent on an average of
workday because of stress related complaints. (The American
Institute of Stress, 2000)

Unscheduled absenteeism costs employers as much as $688 per
employee per year.
MENTAL HEALTH
Depression and anxiety disorders the two most common mental illnesses
each affect 19 million American adults annually (National Institute of Mental
Health, 1999)

The estimated economic burden of depression was $43.7 billion: $31.3 billion for
indirect costs such as decreased productivity and lost work days, and $12.4
billion in direct costs such as medication and physician time (NMHA, 2000)

Up to one-half of all visits to primary care physicians are due to conditions that
are caused or exacerbated by mental or emotional problems (Collaborative
Family Healthcare Coalition, 1998.)

Two out of ten people suffering from clinical depression start out with stress.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE
40% of industrial fatalities and 47% of industrial injuries are linked to alcohol
consumption and alcoholism.

36% of all employee thefts were directly related to drug problems of
abusing employees.

Nearly 25% of a drug dependent employees salary is lost through
increased use of medical benefits.

70% of all current adult illegal drug users are employed. (CSAT, 1999)

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
Workplace murders claim the lives of 1,000 people each year. Another 2
million people per year are victims of a violent event or threat in the
workplace.

Studies indicate that workplace violence costs American businesses
anywhere from $6.4 billion to $36 billion annually. On the average, it
costs the company $53,000 per event in law suits, workers comp claims,
and public image problems

EAP has three tools to reduce the risk of workplace
violence: 1) Confidential and accessible consultation for employees
who feel stressed 2) Anger Management Training and 3) assistance for
supervisors who are addressing potentially violent situations.


EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
& WELLNESS PROGRAMS
WHAT ARE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS?
A confidential and comprehensive program of
counseling services for employees and their families

Designed to reduce risk, cut costs, and enhance
employee productivity

Some EAP providers offer such services as retirement
assistance, wellness/health promotion and fitness, and
crisis management

Further examples include: Alcohol & substance abuse,
domestic violence, and stress management



WHAT ARE WELLNESS PROGRAMS?
Cost effective employee benefits that can improve
employee health and morale and limit healthcare
costs

Main objective is prevention and organizational
wholeness

Examples include: exercise and relaxation classes,
financial counseling, and weight management
HISTORY
Beginning in the mid 1960s to mid 1970s, workplace counseling
focused on addiction alcohol and drug problems

Mid 1980s the impact of health benefit cost containment
approaches brought about considerable change and consolidation

Today, the market is divided among several large, national
behavioral health and assistance providers
IMPLEMENTATION
Internal/In House
Consortia
Fee-for-Service Contracts
Fixed-Fee Contracts
Peer-Based Programs
WHY OFFER EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS?
Unlimited positive outcomes

Leads to a more energetic, positive and productive workplace

Reduced employee turnover, lower overall health care costs,
and reduction in on-the-job accidents and injuries
WHY OFFER EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS?
Up to 68% of all workers will, at some time, experience
workplace problems severe enough to prevent them from
coping with day-to-day activities

As a prevention tool

As a form of managed care

As a multi-purpose human resource tool

As a way to show you care
WHAT CAN AN EAP DO FOR A
COMPANY?
High Return on Investment

Lower Medical Claims

Decreased Use of Mental Health Insurance

Reduction in Employee Turnover

Increase in Employee Productivity

WELLNESS PROGRAMS
Quality of life/life satisfaction monitoring

A holistic approach

Unique person directs action

Multidimensional expression across lifespan

Number and quality of friendships/social
support

Mental engagement

Environmental awareness
FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL
PROGRAMMING

Individual behavioral change

Physical work environment

Organizational development & policies

Community collaboration and environmental issues
EXAMPLES OF INDIVIDUAL
CHANGE
Work station stretching
Meditation and other Relaxation Techniques
Walking clubs
Self-care guide use and education programs
Healthy eating when and where you eat, as well as
what.
Health risk appraisal and risk management
Personal/Professional Development
EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Vending machines: snacks vs. low fat
Promoting walking by marking paths and using signage to
promote use
Posting/delivering health messages
Quiet room for relaxation
Personal control of workspace
Ergonomically correct workspaces
Workloads consistent with a normal work day
ORGANIZATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT & POLICIES
Upper management buy-in
Commitment to wellness by including it in the companys vision
Health theme months
Subsidize fitness/health club memberships
Newsletters, emails, payroll inserts with health tips
Departmental competitions: walking, weight, etc.
Special recognition of participants
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
Advocating for sidewalks, bike trails and health-related
community planning
Health related speakers from community
Local restaurants sponsoring low fat foods and cooking
classes
Children of employees creating health posters and
messages
Sponsor parks and recreation programs
Involve health related organizations in programs for
employees
HEALTH AND WELLNESS ISSUES
BY COUNTRY
India

Major Health Concerns
Cardiovascular disease and diabetes due to poor diet, lack of exercise,
and tobacco consumption
Communicable and non-communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis, malaria, and pneumonia.

Trends
Neglected diseases are likely to become endemic; it is predicted that by 2025,
57.2% of the population will have diabetes.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 60% of deaths can be
attributed to chronic diseases, possibly increasing to 77% over the next 10 years.


United Kingdom

Major Health Concerns
Smoking and drug and alcohol abuse
Stress
Violence, bullying, and harassment
Back pain and repetitive strain injury (RSI)
Disease prevention and control
Work-life balance

Trends
Limited exercise
Obesity
Smoking
High alcohol consumption
United States

Major Health Concerns
Chronic disease: heart disease,
cancer, stroke, diabetes.
Injury due to unhealthy diets, obesity,
using tobacco and alcohol, and not
using seatbelts.
Not getting preventive medical care,
such as flu shots, Pap smears, mammograms,
and colorectal cancer screening tests.

Trends
More than half of all Americans suffer from one or more
chronic diseases.