Worksite Wellness - FAQs

Worksites are a great place to focus on changing behavior for a variety of reasons.

• People spend more time in the work setting than any other setting in an average day. 
• The work setting lends itself to policy and environmental changes that encourage and support healthy habits. 
• Combined with incentive programs, worksites provide a rich environment to change behavior and increase the number of employees with good health habits and a lower number of health risk factors.

Here are some key benefits of Wellness Programs:

• Decreased health care costs
• Provide a return on investment
• Increased productivity
• Reduced absenteeism
• Improve morale and retain key staff

The cost to employers of obesity-related health problems in 2003 was $13 billion per year, including $8 billion in medical claims, $2.4 billion in paid sick leave, $1.8 billion in life insurance, and almost $1 billion in disability insurance. In addition, an estimated 39 million workdays are lost to obesity-related illnesses each year (Department of Health and Human Services 2004).

What is the Percent of Adults with Lifestyle Health Risk Factors?

Risk Factor	State of Nevada	United States
Obese: Body Mass Index (BMI>30)	25%	28%
Overweight (BMI>25<30)	36%	36%
Overweight and obese combined	61%	64%
Diabetes	8%	8%
Current Smoker	23%	21%
High blood pressure	31%	31%
High cholesterol	37%	38%
Lack of physical activity (< recommended level)	47%	48%
Less than 5 servings of fruits or vegetables	76%	77%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2009

What is the Cost Per Risk Factor Per Year for Chronic Disease?

Risk Factor	Cost
Depression	$2,413
High Glucose	$1,450
Overweight	$1,194
Stress	$1,132
Tobacco	$713
No Exercise	$709
High Blood Pressure	$650
High Cholesterol	$454