Regional
(2010-10-19)
DENVER, CO
(KUNC) -
Local and national experts will gather at a statewide health conference Wednesday in Denver, in part to highlight the role of workplace wellness programs in addressing rising health care costs. The impact of employee wellness programs can be significant. A recent report in the American Journal of Health Promotion found wellness programs reduced health care costs for companies by about 26 percent, and cut sick leave by an average of 28 percent. Employers have undergone an awakening about workplace wellness programs over the past decade, and especially in the last four to five years.
"They have made the strong link between having a healthier workforce and both having better productivity and less absenteeism, which strongly contribute to the bottom line," says Donna Marshall, Executive Director of the Colorado Business Group on Health.
Marshall says for Colorado companies to remain competitive, business leaders and policy makers need to collaborate on health care solutions. Tomorrow's conference in Denver is expected to highlight a number of strategies for offering wellness programs at work and in the community.
Colorado Culture of Health
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