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 staff members 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, corporations are – more than ever – looking to get staff members engaged in Corporate Health Promotion Programs as a means of slowing health care costs and improving productivity.

For example, last year 53% of large corporations offered Health Risk Assessments / Health Risk Appraisals for their staff, up from 35% just two years earlier, according to a Mercer survey. Change is being driven by cost, but Corporate Health Promotion Programs a win-win solution for both corporations and staff members.

Here are other Corporate Health Promotion Plan trends organizations are implementing:

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

More companies are providing worksite weight loss programs as a component of the Corporate Health Promotion Program, especially after Duke University’s new research showing the high cost of overweight staff members and raised cost for worker’s compensation for sedentary and overweight staff members.

Companies are providing more Corporate Health Promotion Programs designed to assist staff members with chronic health conditions: health coaches, nurse advice lines, telephone counseling, and self-study guides

Companies are providing more online Corporate Health Promotion 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 part of their Corporate Health Promotion Program. Some Corporate Health Promotion Programs even include bone-density checks and skin cancer screenings.

Many companies are providing fitness programs, either in the community or worksite, as a part of their Corporate Health Promotion Program.

Corporations are providing more prizes, rewards, and incentives getting engaged in Corporate Health Promotion Plan activities

Some companies are adding emphasis to health maintenance. It’s one thing to lose weight or stop tobacco; it’s another to maintain these changes. Helping staff members 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 Corporate Health Promotion Plan return on investment (ROI).

Wellness companies are providing great resources for companys’ staff members over the Internet – online wellness centers, monthly health and wellness newsetters, wellness challenges, online points tracking systems, virtual fitness programs, online 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 complete Corporate Health Promotion Plan over the next 5 years!

Corporate Health Promotion Programs and prevention are sound ideas whose time has come. Health Promotion is more fun and costs less than treating disease.

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