October 2007

Survey: Americans embracing power of wellness

A growing number of Americans are embracing wellness programs in the workplace to battle rising health care costs, according to the 2007 EBRI Health Confidence Survey (HCS).

The survey was released by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and Mathew Greenwald and Associates Inc., and was underwritten by the Principal Financial Group.

According to the survey, more than four out of five Americans (82 percent) said they have a positive view toward wellness programs as employers increasingly encourage workers to adopt healthier lifestyles within the workplace. In addition, 76 percent of Americans agreed employers who offer wellness programs are showing concern for their workers.

“The results show the tide is turning as Americans realize changing their behavior and adopting a healthier lifestyle is an effective cure for rising health care costs,” said Jerry Ripperger, national practice leader of consumer health for the Principal Financial Group. “We’re seeing a sharp increase in the number of workers taking advantage of wellness programs, which typically include health screenings and programs for exercise, weight loss, stress management, smoking cessation, and more.”

Americans were also asked about employer health plans that offer a reduction on health insurance premiums. Nearly three-fourths of Americans (70 percent) indicated they would be likely to participate in an incentive program if it reduced their health insurance premium by 5 percent, with 77 percent indicating they would participate if it reduced their premium by 10 percent.

Source: Principal Financial Group, www.principal.com

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