• The news is not encouraging. As reported by Corporation Week, family health care premiums increased 49 percent from 2000 to 2004.

Another increase of 12-15% is expected in 2005. General Motors expects to spend $5.6 billion on medical costs in 2005, or 40% more than it earned in profits in 2004.

• More research shows that poor diet andphysical inactivity are major drivers of increases in health care costs for companys.  The number of obese adults has doubled since the 1970s.

• The rise in obesity has a significant impact on healthcare costs. on average, 2002 healthcare costs for an obese individuals were $1,244 higher than for a individuals with a healthy weight.

• Obesity is causing rapid increases in kind 2 diabetes and contributes directly to a 65% increase in diabetes treatment from 1987 to 2002. Almost $1 of every $5 spent on healthcare in the USA is for a person with diabetes.

Treating employee health care as an investment, rather than a cost, can yield long-term dividends

• At least 50 percent of your organization’s healthcare costs are driven by the lifestyle related behaviors of your staff members, such as smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise.

• In the past 10 years, the annual return on investment for Wellness Programs has been as much as $6 saved for every $1 spent, doubling the return on investment of earlier health promotion programs.

• The average reduction in health-plan costs, sick leave, disability costs, and workers’ compensation is more than 25 percent for well-designed Wellness Programs.

• Fit staff members are more productive staff members, with fewer sick days, fewer accidents, higher morale, and lower job turnover.