Guy Scotolati, Wellness at Work Conference, June 14, 2010
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The document discusses the significant impact of physical activity on workplace wellness, highlighting how unhealthy lifestyles contribute to major chronic diseases and healthcare costs. It presents data from various studies demonstrating the financial benefits of implementing workplace wellness programs, including reductions in absenteeism and healthcare expenses. The text emphasizes the need for companies to adopt strategies that promote physical activity among employees to improve overall health outcomes and reduce costs.
Guy Scotolati, Wellness at Work Conference, June 14, 2010
- 1. The Impact of Physical Activity on Workplace Wellness Guy J. Scotolati, M.S. DSCC Wellness @Work Conference UD, Clayton Hall June14th, 2010
- 2. CCHS Preventive Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute (PMRI) An Integrative Approach to the Management of Health for our Communities Served
- 3. Those Communities Served In addition to preventive care, PMRI helps those with a wide variety of chronic illnesses, including those with or at risk for: • Cardiovascular disease • Diabetes • Pulmonary disease • Obesity/weight management
- 4. Exercise Services/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Medically appropriate exercise for healthy and high risk populations in an effort to improve the individual’s function, (and as it applies) to decrease symptoms, reduce dependence on medications and costly interventions, and with adherence to other healthful behaviors-- slow down and perhaps even reverse the progression of disease.
- 5. The Need to Manage our Health • Unhealthy lifestyle the primary factor to the six leading causes of death in the U.S.- heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and accidents. • Lifestyle-related chronic diseases account for 70% of nation’s health care costs, over 11% of the U.S. gross domestic product.* • Conservative estimates that high risks (high blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.) account for at least 25% of total health costs. *”Workplace Wellness Programs: Supporting Scientific Research and Wellness Statistics”, Health Promotion First Act, D. Anderson, PhD., Stay Well Health Management
- 6. Where we’re heading….. Medical costs expected to grow at 7.2% each year through 2015, when health expenditures will account for 20% of the gross domestic product.
- 7. Evaluating the Economics of Health Risk Factors In a cross-sectional analysis of 45,976 employees in a diversified industrial work force setting, E. I. du Pont Nemours in Wilmington, DE found that employees with any of six behavioral risks had significantly higher absenteeism (range = 10% to 32%) compared to those without risks. These differences led to significantly higher illness costs (defined as compensation, health care, and non-health care benefits)
- 8. The High Cost of Being Unhealthy Annual excess illness costs per person at risk** • Smoking: $960 • Overweight: $401 • Excess alcohol:$389 • Elevated cholesterol: $370 • High blood pressure: $343 • Lack of exercise: $130 The total cost to du Pont of excess illness was conservatively estimated at $70.8 million annually. **”The Effects of Behavioral Risks on Absenteeism and Health-Care Costs in the Workplace”, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bertera, Robert L., Dr. PH, 1991
- 9. Results of what some companies have done *** Well power of Unum Life Insurance Co. • 2000 participants • Evaluation period: 10 years beginning in 1985 • Comprehensive program incl. occ health/safety, health educ., exercise and recreation opportunities • Realized an est. savings of $132 to $237K for smoking cessation • Cost benefit analysis of 1993 and 1994 medical claims indicated an ROI of 1:1.81
- 10. Companies’ results… Citibank • 22,933 in medical study and 21,749 in absenteeism study • Evaluation period: median of 26-38 months beginning in 1994 • Evaluated the financial impact of their health management program (initial screening of entire population followed by high vs. low risk intervention/education programs) • Realized an ROI of 6.47 to 8.81 for every dollar invested (research studies have shown an average health cost savings of $3.48 and rates of absenteeism as $5.82 for every dollar invested in workplace wellness programs)
- 11. Companies’ results… Chevron • 950 participants • Evaluation period: 2.5 years • Evaluate the impact of their “Health Quest” fitness program (incl. weight control, nutrition, and stress management) on medical expenditures • Realized medical expenditures significantly lower for those who used the fitness center at least twice weekly *** “A Review and Analysis of the Clinical and Cost-effectiveness Studies of Comprehensive Health Promotion and Disease Management Programs at the Worksite: 1995-1998 Update”, Pelletier, Kenneth R., American Journal of Health Promotion, 1999, 13 (6): 333-345.
- 12. Exercise and Risk Factor Control • High blood pressure • High cholesterol • Excess weight/obesity • Tension/anxiety/depression • Sedentary lifestyle • Diabetes • Smoking • Age • Heredity
- 13. Revisiting “the High (excess) Cost of Being Unhealthy” • Smoking: $960 • Overweight: $401 • Excess alcohol: $389 • Elevated cholesterol: $370 • High blood pressure: $343 • Lack of exercise: $130 Total: $1,244* * Savings with the addition of regular effective physical activity
- 14. Physical Activity Fundamental to Preventing Disease Study by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that increasing regular moderate physical activity among inactive Americans over age 15 might reduce the annual national direct medical costs by as much as $76.6 billion in 2000 dollars
- 15. Benefit to Employers Workplace physical activity programs can: • Reduce short-term sick leave by 6-32 % • Reduce health care costs by 20-55% • Increase productivity by 2-52%
- 16. How to Improve your Company’s “Fiscal” Fitness • Need to risk stratify your population (HRAs, biometric screenings) • Education (handouts, company mailers, workshops/seminars, lunch-n-learns) • Determine internal/external resources to supply information and/or support your initiatives • Break down barriers to ensure easy access • Incentivize • Measure outcomes!