Companies are no longer able to trim extra savings out of their health insurance programs, and the majority of companies have been cost shifting, asking workers to cover more of their health care costs. Health insurance costs continue to climb (10% or more per year) at 2-3 times the general inflation rate. With nowhere else to turn, businesses are – more than ever – looking to get workers engaged in Workplace Wellness Initiatives as a means of slowing health care costs and improving productivity.

For example, last year 53% of large businesses provided Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) for their staff, up from 35% just two years earlier, according to a Mercer survey. Change is being driven by cost, but Workplace Wellness Initiatives a win-win solution for both businesses and workers.

Here are other Workplace Health and Wellness Plan trends organizations are implementing:

More companies are integrating Workplace Wellness Initiatives into their benefits plans. If they want the best plans or the lowest personal costs, they need to participate in the Workplace Health and Wellness Plan and meeting minimum goals.

More companies are providing worksite weight loss programs as part of the Workplace Wellness Program, especially after Duke University’s new research showing the high cost of overweight workers and improved cost for worker’s compensation for sedentary and overweight workers.

Companies are providing more Workplace Wellness Initiatives designed to assist workers with chronic health conditions: health coaches, nurse advice lines, telephone counseling, and self-study guides

Companies are providing more web-based Workplace Health and Wellness Plan interventions and health information resources

More companies are providing regular worksite employee health screenings including cholesterol, glucose, A1c, blood pressure, weigh-ins, and other checks as a component of their Workplace Wellness Program. Some Workplace Wellness Initiatives even include bone-density checks and skin cancer screenings.

Many companies are providing fitness programs, either in the community or worksite, as a component of their Workplace Wellness Program.

Corporations are providing more rewards, prizes and incentives getting engaged in Workplace Health and Wellness Plan activities

Some companies are adding emphasis to maintaining health. It’s one thing to lose weight or stop smoking; it’s another to maintain these changes. Helping workers stay engaged and maintain their health changes is important for long-term success.

Companies are putting more emphasis on keeping healthy people healthy rather than just working primarily with high-risk individuals. Research shows this approach results in a greater Workplace Health and Wellness Plan return on investment.

Wellness companies are providing great resources for organizations’ workers over the Internet – online wellness centers, monthly health and wellness newsetters, wellness challenges, web-based points tracking systems, virtual fitness programs, web-based wellness coaching or interventions, interactive health calculators, healthy recipes, even downloadable health tips for your iPod.

Companies who are becoming more proactive are making a big impact on their future health care expenses and productivity. Ohio State University announced that they expect to save $30 million dollars with their broad-based Workplace Health and Wellness Plan over the next 5 years!

Workplace Wellness Initiatives and prevention are sound ideas whose time has come. Wellness is more fun and costs less than treating disease.

References: TIME in partnership with CNN, “Businesses Help Workers Lose Weight.” Website accessed July 2007.