HealthIntegrated Model Promises Competitive Advantage

Thanks to rising health care costs and insurance claims costs, keeping employees healthy has shifted from a human resource concern to a solid business issue for many American companies.

A report sponsored in part by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), CVS Caremark and UK HealthCare highlights case studies of Kentucky organizations, and presents a new, evidence-based "HealthIntegrated Model" that proves that a healthy enterprise will have a competitive advantage.

Released today by the University of Kentucky’s Institute for Workplace Innovation the report, "Creating Healthy Organizations: Promising Practices in Kentucky," (iwin), showcases the promising practices of 23 Kentucky organizations that contribute to a healthy workforce.

Kentucky ranks 49th among all states in Gallup’s national index of well-being, has the 2nd highest prevalence of heart attacks in the country and has the 5th highest prevalence of diabetes, making it the poster child for innovative health care solutions requirements.

Report authors hope to create a model for Kentucky and beyond that combines employee health and a healthy bottom line.

“We heard from employers that they needed help in finding innovative, comprehensive ways to promote health and we knew there were great practices occurring right here in Kentucky," said Jennifer Swanberg, executive director of iwin. "We wanted to create a tool for employers to use when faced with changing organizational and employee behavior around health. Kentucky is a state faced with complex health care challenges. If organizations here can make an impact on employee health, our state’s best-practice examples can provide organizations everywhere with tools to improve their workers’ health as well.”

The study, which includes a review of literature and in-depth interviews with employers, points to a larger issue--combining health and wellness programs with an organization’s overall strategic plans.

“[Health and wellness programs must be integrated into the operations of the business to truly make an impact, and our new HealthIntegrated Model will provide employers with an approach to do this,” Swanberg said.

GE Appliances and Lighting is one organization that participated in the report. With more than 27,000 employees worldwide and 5,000 employees in Kentucky, the organization looks for comprehensive ways to improve the health of its employees, retirees, and their families.

“Finding the right ways to connect with our employees and their families on health and wellness is essential to business success," said Donna Stone, health care manager at GE. "This is not a nice to-do but a must-do to motivate and retain the best talent and remain competitive. The more ideas the better the solution and iwin is helping connect employers to have those dialogues.”

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Core systems Customer experience
MORE FROM DIGITAL INSURANCE