"...the prevention strategies we are
talking about are behavioral things - eat better, lose weight, exercise more…they
cost very little and they do save money by keeping people healthy."
Abraham
Verghese, MD, of Stanford University, writing in the Wall Street Journal (6/20/09)
The status quo is not an option.
Studies show persuasively that medical
care spending will continue to rise, perhaps at
an unprecedented pace, because
of the coming onslaught of diabetes and heart disease,
driven by the toxic
lifestyle choices of too little physical activity and too much caloric consumption.
With this daunting medical cost future, it is clear that the only realistic option that many employers have is to help employees achieve meaningful lifestyle change, at a fraction of what it costs to provide health insurance benefits. Lifestyle change needs to be very specific and evidence based, aimed at altering both physical activity and nutrition habits.
The
best evidence shows overwhelmingly that employer-based wellness programs can provide
a powerful return on investment and the benefits come from both reduced medical
care spending and improved productivity. Our approach to coaching is to adhere
to the evidence. We teach employees how to be effectively and safely physically
active and how to alter their eating strategies in ways that are satisfying, enjoyable,
nutritious, and sustainable.
Our approach works.
Data from our work with the Baltimore Life companies shows that employees in our coaching program are regularly, vigorously physically active, and, in one year, they achieved a median weight loss of 5.1% of starting bodyweight. Our coaching clients are highly satisfied with the quality of the instruction that they receive, and half of the adult diabetics that we coach have converted to have normal HbA1C levels. Other clients have been able to forestall going on lipid lowering drugs.
Change is never easy, but never has it been more necessary than it is now. Call us for more information about how we can help you help your employees, improve the fitness and dynamism of your workforce, and rationalize your medical care spending.
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