Employers are no longer able to trim extra savings out of their health insurance programs, and most organizations have been cost shifting, asking employees to cover more of their healthcare 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, organizations are – more than ever – looking to get employees engaged in Corporate Health Promotion Programs as a means of slowing healthcare costs and improving productivity.

For example, last year 53% of large organizations offered 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 Corporate Health Promotion Programs a win-win solution for both organizations and employees.

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

More organizations 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 Program and meeting minimum goals.

More organizations are offering worksite weight loss programs as part of the Corporate Health Promotion Program, especially after Duke University’s new research showing the high cost of overweight employees and increased cost for worker’s compensation for sedentary and overweight employees.

Employers are offering more Corporate Health Promotion Programs designed to assist employees with chronic health conditions: health coaches, nurse advice lines, telephone counseling, and self-study guides

Employers are providing more online Corporate Health Promotion Program interventions and health information resources

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

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

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

Employers 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 Program return on investment (ROI).

Wellness organizations are providing great resources for companys’ employees 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.

Employers who are becoming more proactive are making a big impact on their future healthcare expenses and productivity. Ohio State University announced that they expect to save $30 million dollars with their broad-based Corporate Health Promotion Program 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.