Move Beyond Your Annual Health Fair

Posted by: BeneFIT Corporate Wellness
Date: August 25, 2015

Implementing workplace wellness programs has become a widely-used strategy for impacting the health and wellness of employees. Often, that leads employers to offering an annual health fair to provide their employees with a variety of health screenings and wellness education. These activities are designed to raise awareness and help employees understand their current health status.

But a health fair is only one piece of the puzzle. After the health fair concludes, employers should use the aggregate data obtained from the fair to identify wellness needs and program opportunities for future implementation. Providing ongoing educational and interactive programs for employees will help them to achieve improved health and wellness.

Programs may include:

Weight Management: The benefits of losing unwanted weight are numerous: increased energy level, lower cholesterol levels, reduced blood pressure, improved blood sugar levels, prevention of type-2 diabetes, improved physical mobility, improved sleep and enhanced mood/self-confidence, just to name a few. Expert consultations will enable employers to assess, plan and implement weight management programs or individual counseling opportunities.

Tobacco Cessation: Since the average smoker costs a company conservatively $3,400 per year in lost productivity and health care, assisting smokers by providing resources to help them quit is a cost effective way to build a healthier company. Comprehensive Cessation Programs are designed to support individuals with both one-on-one counseling and nicotine replacement therapy.

Physical Activity: Increasing physical activity is a key step toward improving overall health and wellness, as well as lowering the risk of many adverse health outcomes. There are numerous opportunities that allow companies to embrace an active work environment―from onsite classes and fitness trackers to basic fitness assessments and personal training.

Stress Management: Stress is not always bad and can be a positive motivator. However, when employees cannot cope or feel they are not in control of their stress, employers are challenged to sustain productivity, protect morale and provide employees with support. Onsite stress education programs can help employees become aware of the role stress plays in affecting their health, safety and productivity. Typical programs teach stress and coping tools, relaxation techniques and stress management skills.

Nutrition: Setting a goal to eat healthier is the first step toward behavior change, but often individuals are challenged when it comes to establishing achievable goals and adhering to a reasonable plan. Companies committed to a nutrition initiative may consider inviting registered dietitians to the workplace. They can assess employees as well as provide information and tools necessary for them to set and meet their individual nutrition goals.

For more information on what you can do to sustain momentum around health and wellness initiatives, please contact us.