Association Between Corporate Wellness Program Participation and Changes in Health Risks.

Abstract

To assess the relationship between wellness program participation and employee health risks. Data from 173,901 health-risk appraisals and wellness program participation records were used to assess changes in seven health risks (blood pressure, body weight, cholesterol level, nutrition, physical inactivity, stress, and tobacco use). Controlling for baseline covariates, high-risk members who completed only a coaching program were significantly more likely to lower five out of seven health risks than were high-risk members in the comparison group. Participation in multiple wellness activities (eg, biometric screening) increased the odds that risks would be reduced.In addition, the number of risk levels that improved was greater than the total that worsened. This study provides evidence that wellness program participation was associated with significant risk reduction, particularly among individuals who participated in more than one program.